Letters from the editor

Greed cause of ridiculous, brutal acts

I am happy to say that I was raised in quiet, fairly safe and wonderful Carson City. I currently live in a different state, but am happy to say that because my family is still in Carson, I stay abreast of all the news.

I was recently told by my mother about the tragic death of Adam Wells and was shocked. I was shocked not only because the murder was so brutal, but also because I was a good friend of Jennifer, his older sister, when we were in middle school.

I was not interested in reading the articles until my mother told me that Jennifer had written a thank you to the community. I was interested in what Jennifer had to say, so I attempted to find the article. I was unable to find the thank you; however, I was able to find all the articles describing the brutal attack on Adam. I felt nauseous when I read the articles, and couldn't believe that human beings who are suppose to be someone's "friend" would do this to "teach him a lesson."

I think it is safe to say that the amount of violence teenagers see today on TV and video games are the building blocks for these horrible ideas. If you look at any current movie that has a gangster theme to it, you see the mob bosses ordering hits on people because that person stole money. Moreover, the number of shows that depict a group of men beating a friend to a pulp to teach him a lesson is greatly increased.

However, it is safe to say that everyone is 120 percent responsible for his or her own actions and to blame video games and the media entirely for allowing these things to transpire is truly ridiculous. It is obvious that people's greed for drugs and money are generally the cause of some of these ridiculous and brutal acts of violence. Kids see preposterous depictions of violence which allow kids to think that taking care of business is the right way to act and the way the world conducts business. It seems that a young life was lost for a fairly minor drug, marijuana, and the frustration and anger that I feel about that is immense.

LISSELL FITZHENRY

Tucson, Ariz.

South state not viable part of Nevada Day

Another Nevada Day parade has passed. The weather wasn't too good, but neither was the attendance from the south. As usual.

Again, as with every Nevada Day parade since the voters wanted a three-day weekend to make it "easier for southerners to join in," the Las Vegas High School marching band was missed. And the floats from the Mirage, MGM and Bellagio were invisible, too. Not to mention how Eldorado, Peppermill, Atlantis and Silver Legacy outdid themselves again this year with their spectacular non-entries.

I especially liked the Carson, Galena, Reno and Sparks high school bands. Oh, wait. They weren't there. But the Pahrump band was.

That's right, the school folks who designed the "High School Marching Band March-Off" put it on the same day as the Nevada Day parade. And with them thumbing their academically sophisticated noses in the face of still more of our honored traditions, we give the school administrators another pass. Why do we always do that?

But it's just a three-day weekend, says the 19 year-old intern scheduler of Marching Band March-Offs. Yep, you're right. But your boss at the school district should have noticed that. And probably did. But, they didn't want to put forth the effort to be in the Nevada Day parade, so they dreamed up another distraction.

I guess it's no longer the very special Nevada Day we once celebrated - it's morphed into just another faceless three-day weekend. So don't worry; it's not your fault. We the people did it. And the people who voted against the three-day weekend were still the ones lined up along Carson Street- in the rain.

I liked the Nevada State Parks float the best. Missed the tank, though.

russ carpenter

Carson City

How long will we wait to correct 50 problem?

In one week alone, we had two serious and potentially fatal accidents on Highway 50 east of Dayton. How long will we wait to address and correct this problem? How many lives will be affected or lost before something is done?

According to the Nevada Appeal, the current plan is to widen the highway to four lanes and construct a turn lane. It seems to me that this could only compound the existing danger on the highway. Speeds will increase, and turning across the road will then involve three lanes, instead of one. Something must be done to slow traffic.

It has been reported that Lyon County is the fastest-growing county in the state. Is it too much to take into consideration the safety of the citizens who have made this the fastest- growing county? Or is it that the financial cost of taking steps to control traffic is just too great? Who will be the one to step up and tell the family of these (and future) victims: "I'm sorry that your child/parent/sibling was seriously injured or heaven forbid dead, but traffic control is just not a priority"?

CONNI BOHEMIER

Dayton