Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Trend is a pain in the neck

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Feb. 28, 2002 | 8:22 a.m.

It isn't something freely discussed in polite company. But the subject is out of the closet thanks to the Wall Street Journal.

In a recent front page story WSJ asks: "With Life So Tough Must Clothing Labels Be a Pain in the Neck?"

That's it. Those pesky, itchy, irritating labels on the necks of sweaters, blouses, shirts and other apparel.

Most of us, at one time or another, have experienced the discomfort of a clothing label digging into the back of our necks. Often, it is at a time when reaching around to scratch would be embarrassing.

Apparently, our predecessors didn't have to cope with this problem. The federal government became the culprit when the Wool Labelling Act of 1959 stipulated that merchants couldn't pass off something as wool that wasn't.

As time went on the labeling laws extended to include such information as instructions on cleaning (in several languages) fiber content, country of origin, cloth content, etc.

Manufacturers have tried cutting costs by using cheaper materials to make the labels. Results have been disastrous.

As one consumer described the skin's reaction: "It feels like a mosquito, except you are being bitten all day long."

Cutting off the labels doesn't always solve the problem.

Is this an important issue in our every day lives? Someone once claimed if it is in the Wall Street Journal, you'd better believe it.

I believe.

Reggie Theus, Cedric Ceballos and A.C. Green.

Anyone who has watched pro basketball will recognize those names.

Theus starred with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Rebels before he left for the NBA. He was drafted in 1978 by the Chicago Bulls and has since been a sports commentator and even dabbled in the world of sitcoms. Now he hopes to coach a professional basketball team in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Slam of the fledgling American Basketball Association.

Ceballos was a dynamic college player. Drafted by the NBA, he showed flashes of greatness, but never reached his true potential for reasons I couldn't fathom.

Green, a longtime Los Angeles Laker, has always been one of my favorites. His life off the court is exemplary.

Now these three are attempting to succeed where so many have failed. They are bringing pro basketball back to Las Vegas. Most observers figure they are beating a dead horse.

Time alone will tell, but if anyone deserves to succeed it's Theus, Ceballos and Green.

Pro basketball isn't the only area where optimistic individuals believe, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

Since the Moulin Rouge was opened in 1955 and closed a few months later, efforts have been made to restore the historic hotel. But they have failed.

A new group is hoping to turn Nevada's first major interracial hotel and casino into a museum to promote black culture.

It's a good idea, but will it fly this time?