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If you really try, you can see it too

In these hard times, we must be constantly vigilant for signs of the Almighty in the strangest places.

You've seen those stories about churches where people swear they have seen a statue move, or cry real tears, or a picture of Jesus on a tree trunk.

But, if you try hard enough, you can see a statue move, you can see a saint cry for the woes of the world, especially if you cry for them, too.

There was a report on television a few months ago about a family in the Southwest who saw Jesus in a tortilla. The family in question noticed, just before taking a bite, that one of the scorched spots resembled the face of Jesus.

People came flocking to that town to see Jesus in a tortilla, many of them accepting the scorched picture as a blessed sign from on high.

Similarly, the collection improves in those churches with moving and crying statues. You could forgive a priest in such a church, fighting to keep his church afloat as any preacher usually is, if he does not mind that the investigation goes on forever.

We could use some such little miracle in these parts as economic conditions throw many people out of work.

If that isn't enough to entice people, then perhaps you should also know that I am virtually certain that I saw an even more incredible sign:

I swear I saw a state legislator actually move.

VERNE ZEIGLER

Alligators illegal

This is in response to Christina Nalen's (of Ash Meadows) article " Aquatic animals may become wild pests".

I would like to clarify her comment: "Pet alligators are found in Lake Mead, having outgrown their previous owners' fancies or food bills."

Pet alligators ,crocodiles, caimans, gavials, piranhas and many other animals are already illegal as pets in the state of Nevada (see complete long list here: http://ndow.org/law/licenses/pdf/inst04/comm_noncomm_possession.pdf).

Nevada department of wildlife, NDOW, has strict requirements and restrictions on importation, transportation and possession of many animal species, alligators included.

Except for certain research institutions and major zoos, the importation, transportation or possession of these species of live wildlife or hybrids thereof, including viable embryos or gametes, is prohibited in Nevada.

If pet alligators are found in Lake Mead, then something tells me that since we already have tough regulations, (basically a ban if you just want them as pets), we just need better enforcement of these regulations and possibly a better public education on the subject of what is an illegal species in Nevada.

Regulations and bans are often useless in the absence of education and proper enforcement.

ZUZANA KUKOL