Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Fear of computer slowly ebbs

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, April 29, 1999 | 10:46 a.m.

I won't be intimidated by a little black box.

It was necessity that convinced my fellow workers that I needed a laptop computer. The Sun's computer whiz kid, Chris Wellendorf, delivered the infernal piece and set me up for several hours of irritation and frustration. My biggest accomplishment in the first few days with Chris was to play solitaire and conquer the mouse.

My first solo attempt was a disaster. I lost everything I wrote. But for the patience of my editor, Steve Bornfeld, the column bearing my name would have been blank.

For any of you having your first experience with a computer, let me tell you the clouds do part, finally, and let the sun shine in -- once you decide who is boss. I'm not completely in control yet but my abilities are approaching adequate. It's almost getting to be fun. I have a long way to go before I become an expert, but I'm getting bolder day by day as I push that mouse into new and unexplored territories.

The terrible tragedy at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., brought the usual array of pundits on television explaining how and why it happened and what can be done to keep our children safe in school.

One local TV station gave exposure to some goofy kids from Green Valley High School. They wore ugly makeup and talked about the Goths. They should be sent home with a note to their parents ordering the kids to wash that silly stuff off their faces and come back to school ready to abide by rules and regulations.

Our school administrators must be given the power to make rules regarding dress and deportment, and not have to bow down under the threat of violation of students' rights. My congratulations to Betty Sabo, principal at Green Valley, for her courageous stand.

Does it strike anyone as strange that we disallow prayer in school, yet the first place people congregate after a tragedy is in a church for services and guidance?

There's a vicarious thrill for us old Rebel basketball fans, forced into retirement by age and its complications, to watch former UNLV stars in the NBA. Greg Anthony, J.R. Rider, who now goes by Isaiah, and Stacey Augmon are playing for the Portland Trailblazers, and former UNLV coach Tim Grgurich is an assistant coach. Larry Johnson is with the New York Knicks, Armen Gilliam is with the Milwaukee Bucks and the surprising Tyrone Nesby is making a name for himself with the L.A. Clippers. Ex-Rebel Reggie Theus is a regular with play-by-play and commentary on television.

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again -- that is the new motto of hope for high school students who failed to pass the senior exit exam. They will be given the opportunity to take the test until they pass. This shouldn't discourage students from trying to pass the first time around. The sooner the better in this case.

It isn't often anyone can put one over on local barrister Sam Lionel, but his wife, Pat, succeeded when she threw a fantastic birthday bash at the Bellagio. It was Sam's 80th and he is still young at heart.