Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Not amused by adult amusement

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, July 18, 2002 | 8:23 a.m.

Traffic is abominable, schools are in financial distress, the problems of the homeless keep escalating, the medical malpratice insurance crisis threatens health care, and public officials are faced with near unsurmountable problems to solve.

With all that, how can anyone not resent officials having to spend time on debating lap dancing?

Mayor Oscar Goodman has been quoted as urging "all able-bodied constituents to go out and have a lap dance" to help the economy after the Sept. 11. attacks.

Perhaps the mayor was trying to be funny. I didn't laugh.

County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates is one of the leaders trying to regulate the odious practice; although, according to reports, she has stated, "We're not taking the fun out of it, we're trying to do a better job of regulating it."

Pete Eliades, who owns Olympic Garden, claims he doesn't run a house of prostitution, but says, "Sometimes it happens. It's sometimes hard to separate a man and a woman. It's so natural."

Adult bars are a smoke screen for activities based on sexual innuendo. I, for one, have little respect for owners, employees and anyone who benefits financially from sexually oriented businesses.

Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, adult amusement centers, call girl services and human indulgences will continue to exist. That doesn't mean an old prude doesn't have the right to find the whole issue disgusting. What a fine commentary on our modern society!

Incidentally, has anyone ever considered legalizing prostitution?

Just spoofing, of course.

On the plus side of human nature:

Through Sun reader Lucie Summerfield, I learned about Stephen Hughes.

His is a story of exceptional courage and determination. For most of his life he lived with his parents and three younger brothers in pickup trucks, parking lots or campsites.

It was sheer grit that kept Stephen in Eldorado High School, where he earned a 4.0 grade-point average, was president of the Honor Society, and scored in the top percentile in a nationwide science exam.

In his sophomore year, Stephen's family was living in a pickup in the desert. He would often hide until classes started, and often cleaned up in school bathrooms after school hours.

When his English teacher, Lynette Sybo, became aware of the boy's homeless existence, she gathered other teachers to form a support group for Stephen.

At one time Stephen and his three brothers were taken to Child Haven, Clark County's home for neglected, abandoned or abused children.

Today, with the help of his support group, Stephen is a college student. His is a heartwarming story of a young boy who yearned to achieve and, with the help of caring adults, has been able to pursue his dreams.

Our bouquet of the week goes to two Clark County School District librarians. James Bowen, librarian at Martha P. King Elementary School, and Scott Hensley, librarian at Miller Middle School, took to their motorcycles and toured Nevada to promote literacy and a love of books. The bikers were followed by a support vehicle.

The tour was so well received, the "Bookin' Bikers" plan to do it again.