Print edition for October 1, 2005

Columnist Tom Gorman: Trying to fit in as a Las Vegas newcomer: By Tom Gorman; Ireceived lots of unsolicited advice. "Introduce yourself," someone said. So I could mention that Jeanne and I lived in Vegas for three years when I was a national correspondent during my 32-year career with the Los Angeles Times. But that sounds rather pompous.

Editorial: On trees and travel: In the Mississippi Delta, in the future, 270 trees will owe their existence to a convention this past weekend in Las Vegas. The convention brought together about 100 members of the Conservation Fund. Leaders of the group calculated that the members' transportation and electricity use while here would send 360 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Scientists say carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, contributes heavily to global warming. It is also known that trees absorb carbon dioxide. So to make their trip "carbon neutral," the group calculated the number of trees that would have to be planted and arranged ...

Letter: California traffic influence too heavy: Why don't the good people of Las Vegas put their feet down and insist that the laws already on the books are enforced? It would save lives, bring about an attitude adjustment and lower insurance rates.

Columnist Jon Ralston: Allegations of impropriety put commissioner in hot seat: Put in one part ambitious Republican politician. Add in one disgraced former Democratic legislator. Sprinkle in a Democratic committee chairman allied with the discredited pol. And, just for spice, toss in another upwardly mobile GOP elected official who ousted the other Republican's husband from his state job, and this becomes a Szechuan-hot dish that will be served up before the state Ethics Commission on Dec. 14.

Letter: Economic oligarchy the cause of our crisis: This may come as a shock to those who believe that inflation can take place only through the Federal Reserve monetizing the debt.

Letter: Bush's war on poverty starts too late: Our president's misguided priorities and poor decisions are bankrupting America. While his friends and cronies feed off the riches of America, the poor fall further and further behind. Let's hope his war on poverty is better than his war on terror.

Where I Stand -- Brian Greenspun: Back where we belong: How much? How often? EVERY DAY, THE SUN WILL HAVE:

Letter: Nevada disaster would be unnatural: Imagine having to fight off others intent on stealing your meager supply of food, water or gasoline. Maybe one of your family members needs medical attention and there are no doctors or nurses available. You might have a parent in a nursing home and you are unable to get there.

Columnist Jeff German: Anti-Gibbons crowd scrambling for other options: "Right now it's like a three-ring circus," he says. "You don't know what's going to happen next."

Editorial: An independent voice: We welcome our new readers and invite them to read our editorial page, where the Sun delivers provocative yet common-sense views on the important issues of the day.

Letter: Double standard on the United Nations: And why did the liberal politicians oppose the nomination of John Bolton to be the new United States ambassador to the U.N.? They wouldn't vote on him, so President Bush appointed him during a congressional recess. Bolton wants to put an end to this charade.

Columnist Jeff Simpson: Steve Wynn's prospects in Singapore, Station Casinos' plans in Reno and more: By Jeff Simpson; The framework of Wynn's $1 billion resort in Macau, on schedule to open Sept. 1, is largely built, and he believes Singapore officials will take note of the quality of his projects, including Wynn Macau, Wynn Las Vegas and the hotels he built and then sold, including Bellagio and the Mirage.