Las Vegas Sun

November 29, 2009

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Letter: Deskin inspired class, dignity in journalism, life

Friday, Feb. 20, 2004 | 9:23 a.m.

I know you are going to be swamped with remembrances of Ruthe and how she made such a positive difference in people's lives, particularly when they were youngsters in the Sun Youth Forum or enjoying outings with help from the Sun Camp Fund. Ruthe had an important impact on me, too, but in a different way.

The beautiful thing about Ruthe was that she never attacked. No matter how outrageous some elected official's behavior might be or how foolish a proposal or a position was, Ruthe never made it personal. She could always make her point, and make it most tellingly, without denigrating or degrading another human being.

I call it the Deskin Doctrine: You can oppose without hating. You can win without destroying. If I get tempted to go the "down and dirty" route, Ruthe is always there, gently reminding me that life is too short, that there is enough vitriol in the political arena already and there is no need to add to it. That is her gift to me and it has served me remarkably well through the years.

Ruthe was the personification of class and dignity. All Nevadans were enhanced by her being with us and we are all diminished by losing her.

KNIGHT ALLEN

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