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Who's on a mission?

My husband and I tuned to ESPN Dec. 22 to watch UCLA and BYU challenge each other in the Las Vegas Bowl. We were both taken completely aback at the sports announcers' blatantly rude comments regarding the religious affiliation of the BYU football players.

"When they go on their mission, they aren't in training for those two years." "When they return from their mission, the coach doesn't know what he has." "Maybe they've changed by the time they return from their mission." "Mission ... mission ... mission ..."

If the BYU football players' religious practices were that big a drawback, they would not be bowl contenders. Furthermore, they won, now didn't they?

And how do you know there aren't any Mormons on the UCLA football team?

I can't even tune to the sports channel anymore to escape the bombardment with political bias. Who's on the mission here? Before or since, I have not heard sports announcers carry on in such a manner regarding a competitor's religion. Tell me how it's relevant.

What kind of political agenda is that? It wasn't even thinly-veiled. I'm not a Romney fan, necessarily, heck, I'm not even a Mormon, but I sure recognize an agenda when I hear it.

"Beware of Mormon Republicans, they're an unknown quality," is that it? (It has to be only Mormon Republicans, obviously. Harry Reid is a Mormon Democrat and that is apparently not a problem.)

As a big proponent of free speech, I don't expect a public apology to the football players, BYU, the Mormons, the viewers or the Mormon viewers. Say what you wish.

Just don't be surprised when your audience, who isn't the stupid sheep that you might think, calls ESPN on their announcers' biased nasty commentary.

LINDA DELAMARE

Recall Liakopoulos

The nonpartisan effort to recall Peter Liakopoulos is nearing the end of the time allowed to collect signatures. A lot of effort by a group of citizens has collected almost enough.

The recall committee would like to thank those who helped with collecting the signatures and those who cared enough for our community to make time to sign the petition. If this effort is to be successful, voters in District 5 who have not signed the petition and who believe in the recall effort need to get out and sign the petition.

If you are undecided, consider these facts about Peter Liakopoulos:

He was just arrested for a bribe scheme (a felony) involving Laurayne Murray and his ongoing attempt to take over the veterans' memorial at the Chief Tecopa Cemetery to funnel veteran grants and cash to himself. He continues to pursue other schemes to get at veterans' money.

He has been collecting donations for veterans illegally, using SSI as a business name, and refuses to account for where the money is.

He is not registered with the state to collect donations as SSI or anything else.

He has an advertising business for TV commercials and his SSI both of which do not have state or local business licenses as required.

He voted for Focus to have small residential lots after the Pahrump planning commission voted no.

He voted for a pay raise for himself and a new truck shortly after taking office.

He had county commission approve paving for road at a TV station where he works after the road commission turned it down. He had two ethics complaints against him and lied to ethics board.

He uses his position as commissioner to threaten citizens to advertise with him or not receive license, permits, etc. they need.

He is a stooge for the corrupt machine ruining Nye County and is protected by them for their personal gain.

He had a complaint filed against him by a local citizen for assault when attacked by Liakopoulos at a commissioner meeting. He voted for taxpayer paid vacation for two commissioners to travel to the Netherlands.

He voted against Amargosa residents and for special connected owners to parcel property without water rights to beat new state laws to protect Amargosa Valley.

He refuses to appear on television live and answer questions from constituents.

He consistently votes against the best interest of Pahrump and for special interests.

These are just a few of the many reasons to remove Liakopoulos from office.

This is the last week to sign. Stop just complaining and take action, sign the recall petition at Homestead and Thousandaire this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or call 209-5009 to arrange for someone to come to your home.

HARLEY KULKIN