Homeless vets

Regarding the article dated Oct. 24 relating to the shelter for homeless vets:

Mr. Liakopoulos stated, "the homeless veterans could be transported to the shelter by the Disabled American Veterans van, or initially by volunteers."

Once again, he should have done his homework before volunteering the services of any organization, because he would have discovered that our van is strictly prohibited for use to transport disabled veterans to and from an approved medical appointment at the many veteran clinics in Pahrump and Las Vegas, only.

In addition, the commander of the Disabled American Veterans has never been approached by Mr. Liakopoulos, or his staff, for this proposed project, or any of his other ventures.

If so, we would have granted him scheduled time to speak at our general assembly for the chapter's approval on veteran's projects.

ROBERT AHRENDT, ADJUTANT

Chapter 15, Disabled American Veterans

Education dumbed down

The following is why the ramifications of Hillary's $5,000 to each baby born proposal are not understood. It's a good idea. But by or for whom? It needs much greater study.

In the 40s and early 50s, high school graduates could do math and read at a proficiency level high above what is acceptable today and also were trained in the basics of a trade or skill. Today only 26.7 percent of our workforce can read at a proficiency level.

Liberal government has so dumbed down our populace that the majority of high school graduates, today, have no idea of what their possibilities are or how wide and many trade skill opportunities should be available for them, nor are they skilled enough to perform them.

For instance, in 2003, 71 percent of Nevada high school finishers got a certificate of attendance they think was a diploma. They could not read or do math at a proficiency level required for graduation. How are they going to learn anything about reality or what they need to do without being able to read better than at an illiterate level? I checked and the lowering of non proficiency graduation has not changed that much since 2003. Those few that go on to college (in Nevada around 25 percent) have to do remedial courses, into their second year, of a supposed college education, on subjects that should have been taught in elementary or high school. An ex-student of mine and granddaughter are in their second year in college with some remedial classes. The ex-student does not know how to write an essay. She was never taught how to do so at Pahrump Valley High School. Duh.

How dumb/ignorant are our education elite? A UNLV professor (with a doctorate degree) said in a planning meeting about grant money, from the federal government earmarked for student education, "Why are we arguing about this? It's not tax money."

A fourth-grade Pahrump elementary teacher said basically the same thing years ago. And you trust these uneducated educators? Look up "to educate" in the dictionary. Remember these so called educators are the ones that dumbed down our kids and yet they are trusted to change their non-education ways and now educate our kids. Duh, replace them. Yearly they continue to prove they are not capable of education.

I have a tendency to suspect a grain of truth in the title of Ann Coulter's new book. "If Democrats (liberals) had brains, they'd be Republicans." It really should read they'd be "constitutionalists" and that would go for Republicans also, if they had brains. Which would make them patriots/constitutionalists.

Ingraham's book, "Power to the People," should read Power to the Person. "We the People" have the power. It's just that without education we, "the People" cannot use it wisely. We judge our "leaders" on opinions and personally, now knowledge and facts.

Remember these "so called" government elite are the diploma carrying, non-educated result of the dumbing down process they are continuing. We need drastic change before "they" do us in.

Look at how newspapers are not read as they once were -- from cover to cover. Also, how newspaper readership numbers have diminished as a percentile of the populace. Few read or try to find out the full correct statistics or read the writings of those with opposite views.

Remember, it was government and its "elite" in their own minds, that guided and uneducated us to the present low level of literacy. Don't trust them to change now. They have only gotten worse over the last 55 years.

Bigger deficits, higher taxes, more inflation, poorer educated citizens, more pollution, more programs that take away our personal responsibility, freedoms and more judicial injustice, etc., on and on.

You be the judge. Don't listen and buy into the political lying rhetoric running rampant today. Look up the facts. Listen for the facts. Not opinions presented as facts. Do the numbers - as criminal investigators and financial advisors do.

"Follow the money." You'll find and identify the liars who will continue the doing in of us the citizens and are spring-boarding our loss of freedoms. Could these be traitorship actions against our Constitution's purposes and our ship of democracy? Are they "aiding and abetting the enemy" or are they our enemies?

JOHN ANDERSON

Because of Silver and Shyly

After my husband died two years ago, a feral mama cat and kittens "came to dinner" and stayed. I began feeding them and planned to capture them and have them neutered. One especially pretty female kitten I named "Silver," and I worked on taming her.

However before I could have them fixed, they disappeared. I suspected coyotes and the rigorous life of living in the wild were responsible.

In September, Silver came back, bringing four kittens with her. This time she set up residence in the shed. I began putting food out and again planned to capture and neuter them.

The kittens are named Curry (short for Curious George), Shyly (very timid kitty), MeToo and Mooch2. Mooch2 is the one I really want to keep because he is an exact copy of my beloved cat Luigi the Mooch, who had to be put to sleep earlier this year. I've since re-named him Dandy (Dandelion).

Unhappily, a neighbor put an illegal, non-postal letter in my mailbox, threatening to trap them and take them away.

Monday, Oct. 29, I saw an animal control truck leave this neighbor's property. I went to check on the cats. Only Curry, MeToo and Dandy came. MeToo was limping, maybe hurt from the cage? Silver and Shyly were gone.

I began concentrating on saving the three remaining kittens. I spent a day sitting by the fence where another trap was placed, keeping the cats away from it. That evening I was able to capture Curry and Dandy. MeToo is too scared and won't let me near him. Of course, I will keep trying to reunite him with his brothers. Two out of five ... not good odds.

Yes, I know trapping the cats was legal. However, it was not a "neighborly" thing to do. However, I will not allow my own efforts to be a "good neighbor" to be negated by this hateful act. I want to make something positive out of the negative energy. So, Saturday, Nov. 17, a trailer will be parked in my front yard and animal lovers of Pahrump and surrounding areas are invited to donate cat food, cat litter, etc. These will be given to a cat sanctuary in Silver and Shyly's names.

Who: Animal Lovers.

What: Cat Party! Live and Let Live.

When: Saturday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: 231 South Stanley Drive, Pahrump (off of Basin, between Leslie and Barney)

Why: To remember Silver and Shyly with love and gratefulness for the pleasure and laughs they brought me in their short lives and to confirm that compassion for all sentient beings is the way to happiness!

GLORIA ANGELINO

Shame on you Ms. Parker

As to your disappointment, I cannot address that as I have no clue as to your mental state. Your facts on the other hand I will address one at a time as you listed them in your letter.

1) Peter Liakopoulos is shameful. Shameful for wanting to do something for the men and women who have done so much for us? Shameful for wanting to put a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs on a regular basis? Shameful for trying to help the vets who find themselves in a tight place get back on their feet?

What I find shameful are people who sit back and try to tell those who are doing something how to do it without offering any help themselves.

2) The decision to move the vets from the "center of town" to the farthest outskirts. The center of town you speak of is the park behind the Bob Rudd community center, and the open areas of desert around the outskirts of town, where they reside in the open exposed to the elements, or in makeshift dwellings they must tear down when discovered, or in unregistered cars, some running, some not. They rely on handouts for substance, never sure where their next meal will come from.

Shame on Mr. and Mrs. Liakopoulos for wanting to take them away from all that.

3) Volunteers and the condition of the property. Volunteers to drive the vets to the Clinic and Job Connect -- Ms. Parker, if you had read the article you would have seen that representatives from JobConnect where present at the press conference and are in support of the project. The press conference itself was to get the ball rolling on volunteers and it has done that. Driving the vets from the shelter to town for various appointments is just one of the things that have been covered.

Condition of the property

The article also stated that there were volunteers in construction who would be donating their time and materials to ensure everything is done to code before the first vet moves in. As to being a fire hazard, I would ask, when was the last time, or anytime, you were on or in the property, Ms. Parker?

4) Not "free" to the town. Could you be more specific? What is housing our homeless vets going to cost the "town"? As you stated, the property is free for 5-10 years, the utilities will be handled by grants and contributions as will any taxes. All materials and supplies will be donated by private organizations and individuals, and all services preformed by volunteers. Where is the cost to the "town?"

5) Housing near the VA clinic and JobConnect. That's a great idea. Let's move them from the park to the Calvada Eye. They can park their cars in the government and private parking lots, bathe in the pond, and if they get real hungry they can always cook a duck over an open fire. In the day time they can seek shelter from the cold and heat in the JobConnect office and at night build big bonfires for warmth. In the summer they can cool off with a dip in the duck pond.

6) Our vets deserve much better. Yes, they deserve a roof over their heads, three meals a day, a bed to sleep in at night, a place to call home while they get on their feet, and the respect for their service to the country that they so willingly gave. It is time to give back and support those who are struggling, but not with handouts but with a hand up.

Ms. Parker, shame on you. Our vets deserve better than someone who only wants to stir up trouble and unrest. Next time before you put pen to paper, do some research and get the whole story before making nasty comments out of context.

DOROTHY ORIONDO