Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Candidates should be commended

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2000 | 10:22 a.m.

Ruthe Deskin is assistant to the publisher. Reach her at deskin@lasvegassun.com.

Newspaper deadlines being what they are, by the time this column -- which is being written on Monday -- is actually in print, the nation should have a new president. Nevada will have a new U.S. senator, some ins will be out and new faces will have replaced the old.

Congratulations are in order for the winners, but let us not forget the losers for having the courage of their convictions and entering the dog-eat-dog race known as politics. I have the greatest admiration for those who have the fortitude to open their lives to public scrutiny and hit the tough campaign trail.

It can be both a frustrating and exhilarating experience.

The men and women who sacrifice their privacy, walk the precincts, debate and often reach deep into private savings to finance their campaigns have my respect.

While so many sit back and cluck their tongues over the foibles of our system of government, these citizens are attempting to do something about righting the wrongs as they might see them.

We owe our gratitude to the losers for giving us choices. Now is the time for the winners to remember and keep the promises made.

Reader Belle Shepherd responded to a recent column critical of the early marketing of Christmas before Thanksgiving with an amusing story.

As manager of the toy department in a large department store, she had the responsibility to have Santa Claus available for the small tots. Here is the story in her own words:

"We had fixed up the main display window facing the main street. In the middle of the afternoon an employee came running into my office and told me we had an emergency. Seems our Santa had a 'liquid' lunch and had fallen off the chair with a child on his lap in full view of the folks on the sidewalk."

Certainly not an occasion for a jolly "ho-ho-ho."

Councilman Michael McDonald is fighting back.

Among the clutter of campaign literature I received were a couple of mailers from the beleaguered councilman. One is credited to the Meadows Neighborhood Preservation Homeowners Association, whatever that may be.

Both mailers were paid for by another unknown group, Citizens for Michael McDonald.

I would be more impressed if McDonald hadn't blamed his troubles on the media. He wrote: "I have been the subject of newspaper articles and columns. Many of those reports have contained inaccuracies and a blatant disregard for the truth. I maintain my innocence even though some reporters have tried, convicted and sentenced me."

All I can say is that I am deeply disappointed in Michael McDonald. As a neophyte city councilman, he worked hard for his constituents. It appeared he might have a political future. Somewhere he seemed to have lost his zeal and one questionable involvement followed another.

Perhaps he should have taken a look around at his associates and remember: With friends like that, who needs enemies?

However, we must remember, as he reminds us, a person is innocent until proven guilty.