Maxfield Parrish illustration

Knickerbocker's History of New York (1899)

_______________

The Irascible One

Catching hell from everywhere --- What to think of all that corruption in Clark County?  A prudent person must know filth the likes of which have surfaced in Federal District Court in Las Vegas can't be localized to Clark County.  The $kindustry everywhere is filled with massive amounts of cash, and as the old saw goes, money talks.  Two things have emerged from the proceedings so far.  Michael Galardi is an obscene person who probably fits the description of slime-ball and it's past time for a grand jury to begin looking at just how much money really has been flung about in the city and county.

Every major name in city government, county government, and policing agencies has been tarnished by Galardi's utterings and it's time to find out whether this vile man knows what he's talking about.  His testimony was "under oath" as if that would mean something to such a person.  One thing though that might matter to him, he has already pleaded guilty to corruption charges and his sentencing is being held off until after this trial.  He is testifying for the prosecution.  Would he take a chance and lie on the stand knowing if he's caught it would seriously affect his sentence?

One thing that stands out in all this so far; no one is screaming slander.  No one whose name has been publicly incinerated has called for a grand jury investigation.  The interesting thing that comes from all this is how public officials are not reacting.  The mayor, the DA, the city manager, on and on have as one said, "I wouldn't know the man if he came up to me."  Right.  Or Rick Rizzolo either? 

Someone looking to make a name for him or her self as a protector of the realm could force a grand jury investigation, lead the investigation, and bring some of these people to their knees.  First question that might be asked is where in hell did all that cash come from?  Lap dances?  Hardly.

•••

Let the fun begin --- It's been a long eight years since Nevadans have been able to relish a serious race for the Governor's Mansion.  No anointment this year, baby, they are out there swinging for all they are worth.  Money is coming from more than just the gaming interests of southern Nevada, candidates are coming from several persuasions, and we might actually get to pick our governor this time instead of having a conglomerate of gamers pick him or her for us.

There are real races in both major parties with enough separating philosophies to make debates and issues a prominent part of the over-all picture.  What a pleasure this political season will be.  Knives, axes, big guns, and everything else that might be handy will come into play before the Primary Election August 15.  If you haven't registered to vote, by golly don't get left out.

•••

Here piggie piggie --- The Citizens Against Government Waste (http://www.cagw.org) have released what they call their pig book, a compilation of pork spending in Congress.  There is more than one way to look at that old pork barrel.  A congressperson is elected to represent a specific segment of the population living in a specific area of the country.  If that elected representative brings jobs and economic growth to his district one might say he is doing what he was elected to do.

Specifically, since Nevada is owned lock, stock, and Yucca by the federal government (actually somewhere close to 85%), getting something back ain't bad.  The state's representatives, two Dems, three GOPers have the Silver State in eighth place on the pork list for 2006.  We were eleventh last year.

•••

Oh, those polls --- It's poll season and nobody knows how to cook 'em right.  The big race is for governor and right now Jim Gibbons has as close to a lock on the job as one can get in Nevada.  It looks like John Ensign will be back in the Senate 'cause good old carpetbagger and Georgia peanut farmer Carter can't get the engine started.  Jon Porter might have a race on his hands but Yucca Mountain will probably put him back in the House.  Shelley Berkeley stands a good chance of being there as well.

And that brings us to the Second Congressional District where former Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons is leading the pack in the Republican Primary.  Dean Heller is having as much trouble getting his campaign started as he has had getting HAVA voter registration in place.  Voter registration isn't, neither is his campaign.  Still no word from Sharron Angle on where that extra $5,000 in her campaign war chest came from.  Best way, just ignore little things like felonies.

Ms Gibbons has been touring the district tirelessly and can be found at coffee klatches, Rotary meetings, even ice cream socials.  "It's tiring as all get out, but you know, I have a good grasp at what people in my district are thinking and what subjects are bothering them."

••• 

Differences emerge --- Back to the 2d Cong. Dist. for just another moment.  There are differences in the philosophies of Sharron Angle and Dawn Gibbons as far as the immigration issue goes.  Angle is promoting a philosophy in which anyone found to be an illegal is charged with a felony and deported.  Gibbons on the other hand while striving to stop the leaks at the border has a more congenial outlook toward those who are already here.

"The economic impact of sending 11 million or 12 million people back to their home country would be devastating.  On the other hand," she said, "it isn't right to make those who are here legally, who did all the right things, pay the price for those who came illegally.  This question is far deeper than just arrest and jail a bunch of illegals.  There are serious problems with that approach."

•••

Who gets to vote? --- Washoe County voter registrar Dan Burk told a candidate recently that Dean Heller has made a complete mess of voter registration.  The HAVA rules will not be met, he said.  There is no statewide database of registered voters.  He said if someone has a valid driver license, registration to vote will take place.  That isn't what HAVA is all about.

One question that might be asked in all this conflict: How much money did each county have to spend attempting to make Dean Heller's voter registration debacle work?  Hundreds of hours would be the norm I think in each county clerk's office.  And there is still no statewide database of registered voters.

•••

Gibson / Titus / Squawk --- While on the subject of polls, Dina Titus has a lead on Jim Gibson, but it isn't one that will take her to Carson City to live for awhile.  But on the other hand, the knock down drag out campaigning is fun to watch.  Republicans squabble amongst themselves.  Democrats get down and dirty with each other.  And you thought there wasn't a difference in the parties.

•••

Whoa, horse, what happened? --- When Harry Reid was reelected to the Senate back in 2004, his rating as to whether he was considered favorable or unfavorable was over 50 percent, considered very strong since his unfavorable rating was a gentle 28 percent.  Since becoming the junk yard dog for the democratic party, or as the republicans call him, "Obstructionist," his ratings have fallen dramatically.  Forty-three percent consider his policies favorable and 39 percent unfavorable.  See what happens when you quit being a Nevadan?  Pinky will be up for reelection in 2009, and much of what he has been ranting about recently will certainly be remembered.

•••

Say it ain't so, please --- Here's one of those little articles that slip through from time to time and make you just want to throw up all over the morning rag.  Did this happen because daddy dear is "somebody?"  Schoolteacher Christopher Schofield is the son of University Regent Jack L. Schofield and was arrested and charged with lewd conduct with youngsters.  Alleged conduct like feeding them alcohol, pot, and some 80 other charges.

Clark County "law enforcement" officials dropped all the charges.  Not because they didn't have evidence but in the words of DA David Roger, not enough evidence to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.  Are you going to stand by that comment come election time, defender of our liberty?

•••

_________________________