When Dan DeQuille wrote for the Territorial Enterprise of Virginia City fame, back in the 19th century, he used this depiction of a braying, angry, miner's burro. He always called it, as did most of the prospectors of the day, "A Washoe Canary." Below are some of our brayings, that is, Washoe Canary Songs.

This Is A Strange Story With No Ending

by David Thompson

Jerry Bussell, a retired Colonel who served in the Nevada National Guard, used to be the governor's homeland security advisor, and chairman of Nevada's Homeland Security Commission. His resignation became effective May 28th. A series of articles in the Las Vegas Review-Journal asked, but didn't answer, several of my questions about what led up to Bussell's decision to resign.

I tried to find some answers, but they only led to more questions. So think of this opinion piece as a sort of mystery story. Hopefully you'll find it interesting, and there's a lot that's mysterious. Why did I decide to write about this story? Because I think it's something that happens in Nevada every week. The news stories can be seen on the Nevada Homeland Defense website, at: homelandsecurity.nv.gov/Qry_Homeland.asp

Here are the reported facts and here are my questions:

Why did Bussell resign? Here's why Bussell said he resigned:

At first, Bussell said he was resigning because it fits with resignations of other members of his staff. He said all three secretaries in his office are resigning, two because of health reasons and a third because of better job opportunities. Because they are leaving, he said, he decided to leave at the same time so Governor Kenny Guinn can hire an entirely new staff.

Why are all three secretaries in his office resigning at once? How is it that two became ill and one wanted out all at the same time? And Bussell also wanted out, at the same time all the secretaries did? Everyone wants to get out "so Guinn can hire an entirely new staff?" Is there something here we're not seeing?

[Then,] Bussell said he resigned because he has accomplished what he set out to do 18 months ago when hired.

Is Bussell just being diplomatic with a bland follow-up answer like this, or is there something more going on here?

Here's what the "sources" say:

"Bussell used his position to help a communications company get a government contract."

Is that true? No, but it does sound pretty bad. But if it isn't true, why would someone say it? Good question -- think about it a little. This type of character assassination seems to happen often in Nevada.

Well, did Bussell get a government contract for a communications company? No. Was there even a government contract? No. How is Bussell supposed to have used his position?

Bussell is married and his wife is a partner at the Reno law firm of McDonald Carano.

Good for her. So what?

Bussell had a long-time friend named Endres who was also a partner with McDonald Carano.

OK. So Bussell had somebody to walk his wife from work to her car. So what?

Endres was a lobbyist for the communications firm.

Let's cut to the chase. What is Bussell supposed to have done?

Bussell's wife’s firm represents the M/A-Com Company that could be a bidder for local law enforcement communications systems contracts and has its radio systems already in use, with extraordinary problems, in Nevada Highway Patrol units.

"A company that could be a bidder"? Like, not now, but maybe later? What else?

Nevada Division of Emergency Management Director Frank Siracusa, the man in charge of keeping track of millions in federal anti-terrorism dollars, said he was introduced to Endres by Bussell. Siracusa was not informed that Endres was an M/A-Com lobbyist, but he did know Endres worked for the McDonald Carano law firm in Reno. He said Endres asked if homeland security money could be used for communications equipment.

Okay. So what is that -- a conflict of interest? Did anyone file an ethics complaint, or demand an investigation? What were Bussell or his wife supposed to get out of this arrangement -- anything we know about? Or do we have to guess -- to connect the dots?

If I have to connect the dots, I don't want to waste much time doing it. My first question is, was there an existing state contract proposal which Endres' client M/A-Com could have gotten?

Governor Guinn, through his spokesman Greg Bortolin, said the Homeland Security Commission, which Bussell chairs, has never considered giving a contract to M/A-Com. Bortolin also emphasized that the radio communications contract has not come before the state Homeland Security Commission. “It never came before the Commission. It is not an issue.”

State Homeland Security adviser Jerry Bussell’s dream of creating an $86 million budget for a statewide emergency radio system with links to M/A-Com Corp. surfaced in a May 5 anti-terrorism meeting, according to sources.

A state source has confirmed he made available local agency grant applications to Endres in advance of last Wednesday’s [14 May] Homeland Security Finance meeting in which representatives from police and fire departments met to discuss funding. It might not be illegal, but it raises a question of where the governor’s adviser’s priorities were.

Well, imagine there was an upcoming state contract proposal. Did Bussell try to throw an upcoming contract proposal to his pal's firm?

Siracusa said Bussell never suggested Endres be given a contract.

If there was an upcoming state contract proposal, could Bussell throw the contract to his pal's firm?

Siracusa said local governments will decide what companies to purchase communications equipment from. Clark County law enforcement agencies will receive $9 million from the state for homeland security equipment.

Bussell also said local governments will decide what companies to purchase communications equipment from: “Sheriffs Bill Young (Clark County) and Dennis Balaam (Washoe County) decide what radios are purchased. I don’t control any money.”

Was Bussell forced to resign?

“The Governor didn’t ask for his resignation,” he [Bortolin] added. “Jerry could have stayed on.”

What did Endres do?

Later, Siracusa said Endres and Department of Transportation Communications Manager Richard Sheldrew "approached" him during a break in a Homeland Security meeting April 1 in Las Vegas. “In essence, Jim Endres asked me if we could use Homeland Security dollars to purchase communications equipment,” Siracusa said, adding that he explained 80 percent of the dollars were to be divided among community first responder agencies based on population with the remaining 20 percent going to the state to be used at the governor’s discretion. Siracusa said Endres later asked if homeland security money could be used for communications equipment.

There are far more questions than answers in this puzzle, and it appears as though many of the questions actually answer themselves. There does not appear to be either an ethics violation or a law having been broken, but we will continue to look at the situation.

Was Bussell intimidated into resigning, a nice form of blackmail, or is there something that can't be seen yet?

Rights And Obligations Not To Be Abridged

by Johnny Gunn

The first ten amendments to our constitution pretty well spell out, on the one hand, our rights as citizens, while on the other, force an obligation on those serving us, that is, government. None of those amendments say anything to the effect of, "except for some," "except for certain persons with philosophies different than others" "except for some in the minority." In fact, we begin by saying, all men are created equal.

If that's how we believe our status as American citizens should be respected, then why are some arrested for gathering signatures on petitions, and others aren't? Why are those with extreme political philosophies denied the right to attempt to petition their government? Those questions might be answered in the coming weeks as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and representatives of the Independent American Party (IAP), and members of the Eagle Forum face their detractors in District Court in Washoe County.

The ACLU is often depicted as being very liberal in their politics while the IAP is mentioned as being ultra conservative. Quite a gathering, eh? But the question to be answered is basic to the American way of life; basic to the constitution, basic to fairness, as citizen's demand.

The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC) is a government entity, and they have a public bus station in the middle of downtown Reno. If fact, their facility is a square block in size with hundreds of busses coming and going 24 hours a day. An obviously wonderful place to gather signatures for a petition to change something in government. Janine Hansen and her son Zachary Triggs went to the RTC location, petitions in hand, and were arrested, handcuffed, and jailed. Their court date is June 29, and they will be represented by ACLU attorneys.

Following that court date, or possibly even before, watch for the issue to be brought before a federal court. Messing around with our constitution is not looked on favorably by the ACLU or the IAP. Mad Dog Liberals and Crouching Tiger Conservatives in court, on the same side. Will wonders never cease?

Hansen is president of the Eagle Forum, a conservative organization, and is a director of Nevadans for Sound Government, a conservative organization. An attorney representing RTC says they were arrested because "they didn't provide us information so we can verify her petition is registered with the Secretary of State." Hansen says the RTC demanded they make an application to seek signatures.

The charge is trespassing. How can you trespass at a bus stop? This is a public place where people gather, owned by the government. Funded by tax dollars. Can I go to the park, set up my soapbox, and give a speech? Yes. Even if that speech is obnoxiously anti-government? Yes. Is the RTC then saying I can't do that at a bus stop?

Hansen says, "The right to petition is constitutionally protected." The RTC lawyer says it's not in the best interest of their clients. An ACLU attorney says he was "stunned" by the arrest. "What can be more profoundly American and democratic and responsible than seeking signatures that will impact a public issue?"

This is not an issue of liberals and conservatives. This is an issue of an arrogant government entity attempting to play Big Brother. At the time of the arrest, according to Hansen, along with several RTC security guards, the Reno Police Department responded with five, count 'em, five officers to make the arrest. Intimidation? Resplendent in combat ready clothing, no less. Fear the pen. Fear the citizen.

This isn't a single incident, either, and that's the bad part. Petition gatherers have been arrested, intimidated, and forcefully removed from several public government buildings and areas so far this young election year, often accompanied by armed, menacing representatives of government police agencies. This isn't what our founders had in mind when they wrote our constitution.

Our Secretary of State, Dean Heller, has made a couple of feeble comments about this, but nothing has come of it. I have a couple of suggestions for Mr. Heller. Go to the AG and demand in the strongest language that this harassment ends. Demand that those who work so hard to deny a citizen this right to petition, be arrested, charged, and prosecuted. This isn't a case of conflicting philosophies, Mr. Heller, this is a case of citizen's rights denied, rights that our forefathers fought and died for, rights that Mr. Washington led his army to protect.

American citizens are being harassed and arrested for doing exactly what the constitution says they have every right to do. Government is not owning up to its obligation to see to it those rights are not abridged. Regardless of how our own political philosophies lie, as citizens we too have an obligation, and that's to support those who are denied their rights. Personally, I'm ashamed of how these government lackeys have carried out their obligations.

Letters We Get

It's May 22 and can't wait to see one of Woody's gonzo cartoons in the Nevada Observer, now he's been elected culture czar, I'll keep given the downtown diplomats a quarter to get me one of your free papers, I've given as much as a buck for one of your papers, then it came to me these bums don't have computers, I don't know what they've been do'in with all that money, but I'd giv'em two bucks if there was a Woody cartoon in the Observer, that'd keep the rif-raf away from me when I'm downtown enjoying your lovely burg, I'll be watch'n, thank you for your keen insight to discovering very apt local

talent...

the drifterhotel staff

(Ed. Note -- Guess what, Woody. We've got 'em coming, and hopefully, soon. Along with a few kind words from some of the computer geeks been rippin' you off.)

_____________

Hello,

I found your newspaper while surfing a bit. I noticed a few errors and thought I would bring them to your attention.

In Nevada we are the Independent American Party of Nevada. That is IAP not AIP. It is a common mistake.

Assembly 41 is in south Las Vegas.

Also your candidate filing list should have several new changes on it.

I found your paper interesting and will be adding it to my Newspaper listings.

Christopher Hansen
Independent American Party of Nevada State Chairman

(Ed. Note -- Glad to have you on board. I found those errors also, but after we went to press. Thanks for catching them. For your information, we come on out on the first and fifteenth of each month. Your comments will always be welcome.)

Candidate Calls For Tax Restructuring

(Ed. Note: In response to our offer to publish a candidate's platform, Dan Meyer campaigning for Assembly District 25, sent us this press release. There is no charge for this service.)

Dan Meyer Candidate for Assembly district 25, announced yesterday his plan to reduce the need for new taxes by changing over operations of some state, and county buildings to a multi use function, These buildings would be built around our schools. Mr. Meyers' plan revolves around substations in schools, such as libraries, DMV, police and fire substations. Mr. Meyer feels that a better use of public tax dollars means that Nevada can no longer build single purpose facilities. These changes would allow for a greater use of computers, infrastructure, maintenance cost and staffing. These changes combined with consolidation of some state and county services would maintain service while reducing the need for new taxes in this legislative session.

Mr. Meyer feels that the continued reliance on a regressive tax structure that exists in Nevada cannot be sustained. Our growing economy needs to both spend our money wiser and allow small business the room to grow. Mr. Meyer feels that casino lobbies revisiting of the gross receipts tax will forever hurt small businesses ability to compete and grow. Dan said, " We need options, and currently the political extremes of both parties do not see the real effect of their choices. Nevada needs better choices from the bottom up. And it all starts with respecting our tax dollars and spending it wiser."

Mr. Meyer also stated that reducing the need for new taxes did not always mean a reduction in service. Dan also stated, " Why is it that our choices are always so black and white. It has been my experience being self employed for 23 years that the best answers usually are the ones that have aspects of both extremes within them."

For more information regarding issues that are near and dear to Dan Meyer, please visit our website at www.meyerfornv.org