By Dr. Larry Moses
No one asked me but…In my column of September 15, I was pontificating on the importance of party loyalty in the Nevada Senatorial election this November. In a rather poorly constructed paragraph, I left the strong impression that Bill Raggio and Sue Lowden had joined the ranks of the Republicans for Reid.
Dan Burdish, an ardent supporter of Sue Lowden, brought to my attention the error of this thought. He sent me a web address that lists the Republicans for Reid and neither of these prominent Republicans appeared on that list.
I usually do not respond to such corrections. I believe that is the purpose of the “Letters to the Editor” section of the paper. The editor of the Moapa Valley Progress is very good at printing letters of opposition to his own point of view, let alone mine.
However, in this case, the impression was so egregious I believe I owed it to my readers, both of them, (my sister in Des Moines and my sister-in-law in Bellville, Texas) to correct this erroneous impression.
Neither, Raggio or Lowden, are now, or ever have been, on the list of Republicans for Reid. If you wish to see the letter Sue Lowden sent her supporters on behalf of Sharron Angle, go to Google and look up Sherman Frederick’s blog.
Now as that famous American, Forrest Gump said, “That’s all I have to say about that.”
No one asked me but…Last week was my wife’s birthday so I treated her to a trip to Pahrump, Nevada.
Now before all of you become envious of this great trip, let me remind you that I have often selected the garden spots of America to help my wife celebrate various joyous events. We toured the famous lobster farm in Mina, Nevada. This was, of course, prior to the feds closing it down for fear the wild lobsters would run rampant throughout Nevada. However, that is an issue for another day. Just know my wife was treated to a tour of the facilities.
Three years ago, it was an anniversary at a bed and breakfast in Ely. Therefore, a birthday surely rated a trip to Pahrump.
Let me say Pahrump surprised me. I have for years badmouthed the town over the hump from Las Vegas. I would tell the students from Pahrump, who came to Moapa for ball games, that if they won, they still lost because they had to go back to Pahrump. It was my contention if they won, they should be able to stay.
In the early 1970’s my wife and I used to take the boys to Frontier Days in Pahrump. It was here this city boy saw the Second Amendment practiced on a large scale for the first time. Armed men were everywhere. Booze flowed freely.
By four o’clock, it was time to go home. Do not get me wrong, I do not mind people practicing their Second Amendment rights and I really do not mind people imbibing a little but when the two begin to mix, it is time to go home.
At that time, Pahrump was still growing cotton in the fields and you could not find a town center. The few shops that made up Pahrump were spread throughout the valley with no rhyme or reason.
However, on this trip I was surprised to see what appears to be a prosperous growing city.
Over the years when we went to Pahrump, for sporting events, the only place to find a bite to eat, prior to leaving town, was the gas station on the main road. Sometime, in the 1980’s a pizza place was added. However, for the most part, the town of Pahrump was more of a mirage than a reality.
Let me say that is no longer the case. There is a Smith’s food store, an Albertson’s, a Panda Express, a Wal-Mart, a couple of shopping centers, and a soon to open private prison. There is even a couple of traffic lights and streets with turn lanes. The traffic on the streets and the number of patrons in the Pahrump Nugget would suggest the town is booming.
Where, but in Nevada, could a city be built on a couple of casinos, a winery, a private prison and a bordello or two. Las Vegas may have its Mop Museum, but Pahrump has a museum dedicated to the history of the world’s oldest profession.
Pahrump must be the libertarian capital of the world. Now if only it was raising desert lobsters. While I do not believe I will make it my home, I will have to re-evaluate my opinion of the place.
Before you feel too sorry for my wife, I must tell you I still took her to the local Lin’s Market to look at the birthday cards and flowers.
Some men I know buy one card and one bunch of flowers and take them home to their wife. Not me. My wife has no such limitation; she can look at all the cards and flowers she wants and it costs me nothing. I cannot help it. I am just a hopeless romantic.
No one asked me but…The State Historic Preservation Officer Ron James indicated that the agency’s three million dollars worth of grants will not be funded this year. Over three hundred thousand dollars of that money would have been spent in Southern Nevada.
This is the state agency that helped fund the restoration of the Old Logandale School, The Overton Gym and the local hospital. In a time of great economic woe, a good program had to be cut. As sad as this is, it is understandable when education, health, welfare and other programs are being cut.
Ron James and his crew have performed a great service for the state and are owed a thank you from all the people of Nevada. We can only hope when the economy recovers so will this program.
Thought of the week…Last week the candle factory burned down. Everyone just stood around and sang, Happy Birthday.
– Steven Wright
