Standing up for Saab yet again

Here we go again. It seems as if defending Mr. Saab Lofton (who is busy speaking on real issues) is becoming something of a habit lately.

I would've liked to have been more diplomatic in describing David M. Ryder, author of a recent letter, but thinking up something nice was taking too long. So I'll be blunt: Mr. Ryder, you are a moron. And more pointedly than that, I'd be willing to wager you are also a card-carrying member of White America, no?

Here's the thing, slim. It doesn't take agreeing with each syllable Mr. Lofton utters to see that -- more often than not -- he does present good arguments. Mostly it just takes a little common sense to discern a healthy idea from a bit of idyllic extremism. (You do have common sense, don't you?)

While it's wrong working my ass off to afford living in a decent neighborhood while my next-door neighbor sits on her fat ass collecting money from the government in order to remain seated on said ass, there are citizens out there who genuinely want to earn a living. But (due to circumstances both real and great that I'm sure you could never fathom) they simply aren't given the opportunity. I'm also against free universal health care as a viable solution when such "free" services will mean more money out of my paycheck. But it should at the very least be affordable.

You can agree with that, can't you? So why is it so damn hard for you (and others like you) to extrapolate those simple truths? Would you burn the whole house down because one room had chipped paint? Jesus, man �

Let's review: Greedy, dog-eat-dog capitalism, bad. Unilateral equality based not on one's ability or output but solely on the fact that you happen to be human, also bad. Take the best of both worlds; meet up in the middle; shake vigorously; and voilà. You're inciting social reform, and you haven't even broken a sweat yet.

In other words, relax; and learn to read between the lines, dude. There's room for everybody. Even jackasses like you.

J. ALAN

LAS VEGAS

If Saab doesn't work, I don't know who does

Saab is right. No one gives a rat's ass about Osama bin Laden. Our president and vice president proved that, didn't they?

Who needs to go to Cuba? Where has David M. Ryder been the last year? Our economy is in the toilet.

We allowed our government to give out construction contracts to renovate a country in our image. How much are we paying for a paper clip in Iraq, Iran, South America? Hopefully, our legislators, the people in Washington and our local government will not be emotionally vacant the next time a terrorist act happens. The money they have spent destroying our rights would pay a lot of doctor bills.

Yep, Saab, you may be safe in Cuba. Castro has not declared oil wells, yet.

Saab should be proud that he is not working, although I believe that this is an incorrect statement. Each time you give a hand up to a fellow human being, you are working. Every time you take your time to research an injustice, you are working. If working means bucks an hour, Saab may not work. If working means researching injustice and statements that are incorrect, he works.

It is too easy to sell out -- get that job, the little goodies that come with 9-to-5 work. Saab could be sitting at a desk, 9 to 5, writing soap commercials. Shit, he could choose to mow the lawn on Saturday, instead of marching for peace or researching the truth.

Saab is working for his country, for his fellow human beings, for health care, truth in education, thinking first. If he makes one person think, he is working.

Thanks, Saab, for giving up those comforts 9 to 5 can bring, to search for the truth.

BONNIE TOADVYN

LAS VEGAS

Bush and Co. are absolute posers

I'm writing about Jim Miller's outstanding letter, "The best damn letter we received all week!" (April 8).

U.S. drug czar John Walters is just as phony and hypocritical as the man who appointed him to his job. Czar Walters is coming to Nevada to educate you heathens about the evils of marijuana, the natural herb that has never been documented to kill a single person in the 5,000-year history of its use.

Bush, Ashcroft, Walters and other Republicans know what's best for Nevada, even if the Nevada citizens don't. So Bush and Walters must teach you.

I'd like to add that Bush is exceptionally good at one thing -- posing. Posing on the deck of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lincoln wearing a flight suit. Posing in front of cheering crowds while protesters are out of sight and out of mind in so-called "free speech zones." And posing as a compassionate conservative, which he is neither.

Bush is also good at posing as one of us common folks.

The fact is George W. Bush is a Connecticut-born, private-prep-school-educated, pretend cowboy, who was born with a diamond studded, solid-gold spoon in his mouth.

KIRK MUSE

MESA, ARIZ.

John Walters is coming to a town near you!

Regarding "The best damn letter we received all week!" (April 8): Excellent letter and thanks to Jim Miller for sending it in.

Watch out, Nevada! The U.S. drug czar could be coming to a town near you on your tax dollars to influence your elections.

Marijuana laws are changing all over the world, because we know they're wrong. We don't need our tax dollars to try to convince us that they're right. This country has a serious drug problem -- and it has nothing to with marijuana. It's saddening to see our top drug officials making pot their top job, even disputing its medicinal value.

Don't let the drug czar pull the wool over your eyes. The people know what's best for the people.

SANDY COTE

TOLEDO, OHIO

Another suggestion for total cultural revolution

Joshua Ellis made some true and biting remarks in his column ("Rise up!" April 1).

First, it is true that Las Vegas' culture scene is stagnate, although I can say that I belong to a local nonprofit organization that is trying to help artists of all sorts reach their full potential as community participants (www.ventriole.com). For their effort, I offered to donate and design a Website for their cause.

I have to agree, though, that at times I am not very interested in what other people do -- but things change and I have found that in order to grow as an artist and as a person I must indulge in what art we do have here.

I commend Ellis for noting that all the international culture at times seems to be swept under the rug. I am of Hispanic descent, and although I may not write "Hispanic poetry," I do feel that I am contributing to the international culture that Vegas is so much lacking.

I'd like to add one of my own suggestions for total cultural revolution in Las Vegas: Everyone should start their own arts and culture magazine to recognize and learn of the artists who live in Las Vegas.

JORGE LARA SANTIAGO

LAS VEGAS

The best damn letter we received all week!

With regards to the letter by Douglas Bawden [April 1] on investing in public programs to help the less fortunate: I must say I agree with 90 percent of what Mr. Bawden said. However, I find it ironic that in the letter he is guilty of the same mentality that allows the under-funding of said programs. The line where he states his distaste for those who "choose to live off the milk and honey of our great nation" reveals an uninformed opinion held by many.

He implies his sister and those with mental health conditions are worthy of assistance, but those who are temporarily unemployed, homeless or hungry are not? It is this mentality that prevents progress from being made and allows us to deny that we are all intricately bound to one another.

Whether it be job training or child care assistance, food stamps, welfare or counseling, the idea that some people are worthy of our help while others are not is a lie and a cop-out. Is there not a cause for every effect? Is there anyone out there who has never needed a helping hand? A third of our population is paid an unlivable wage -- and yet we are to look the other way when they need our help the most?

Mr. Bawden rightfully pointed out that if we dealt with the root problem of most social ills, we'd save ourselves a lot of grief -- not to mention tax dollars -- by helping people when they still might respond. Everyone requires help from time to time, and the fact is we as a whole can afford to provide it.

By voting for politicians who represent your interest in holding onto a few more dollars you also unwittingly permit millionaires and billionaires who don't need the tax break to bankrupt entire social programs.

The fact is we are all affected by poverty and crime (which are the same thing). The solution lies not in pointing fingers at one another, as if we control the wages we are paid, but in uniting together regardless of ideological differences to demand fair treatment, health insurance and a livable wage for all -- something I can promise we will not see if the Bush regime is re-elected.

ENRIQUE GARCIA

LAS VEGAS

Editor's note: Each issue, CityLife selects its favorite letter. This week's winner is courtesy of Las Vegan Enrique Garcia. For submitting the letter of the week, Enrique wins a copy of Manda Scott's novel Dreaming the Bull.

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