Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Unamused by cagey sweep talk

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Sept. 7, 2000 | 9:50 a.m.

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

Once upon a time I vowed never to open letters offering chances to win sweepstakes. But this time I did, and guess what? The letter was a press release stating: "This is to confirm that a Las Vegas TV area resident will be a winner in the Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes. The Prize Patrol will be arriving in the Las Vegas area on Oct. 25th to surprise someone with a $10,000 prize."

A note at the bottom of the press release, allegedly handwritten by someone named Dave Sayer, says: "As you see, the media has been alerted -- the Prize Patrol will definitely be coming to the Las Vegas area. Detailed plans will be delivered to you in a brown envelope in the next few days."

This I will believe when it happens. Who wants to be a thousandaire?

Early voting was down from previous years, according to what I read in the newspapers. One of the reasons could be that it was a primary election and in some districts voters had few choices.

So now comes the drum beating. Get out and vote, it's your duty, etc., etc. I have always believed if people do not choose to vote it's their problem. They are giving up a right and a privilege. If voters must be coaxed into availing themselves of that right, they don't deserve it.

An elderly gentleman who once was a consistent author of letters to the editor once wrote: "I would rather not have an uninformed, uncaring individual making choices that affect my future. If these people choose to participate, that's their loss and my gain."

He was right. Government is best served by the voter who intelligently and willingly goes to the polls. People shouldn't have to be coaxed or even coerced into voting.

Nonvoters offer many reasons for not availing themselves of a chance to have their say in government. "My vote doesn't matter" is one of the most often used excuses, yet there are hundreds of examples of a few votes making the difference.

Absentee ballots and early voting makes the task easy.

For those who don't vote, I have a bit of advice -- don't come to me with your gripes about government and public officials unless you have been part of the democratic process and have exercised your right to vote.

Actor Christopher Reeve, who was paralyzed in a 1995 horse riding accident, is a role model for courage.

Recently, while undergoing physical therapy, the actor suffered a broken leg to add to his suffering. There is no doubt he will accept this as just another obstacle to overcome in his attempts at rehabilitation.

Reeve is well known for his portrayal of Superman on the screen. He is, in truth, a super man.

From the "I wish I had said that" department: "Memories are the little fires of our lives that never go out, the little sparks that warm us in a darkened room." (Kenneth Parsons)