Print edition for August 25, 2006

FLASHPOINT for Aug 25, 2006: Opponents of Tax and Spending Control are brimming with optimism after Wednesday's state Supreme Court hearing on whether the initiative will stay on the ballot. But they better be careful what they wish for. This could be a short-term win with devastating long-term consequences. I still find it hard to believe elected judges will toss a ballot question - no matter how compelling the arguments - in the middle of a campaign season where the careers of two justices could be imperiled. But if they do, they will galvanize the conservative base like no other time in recent Nevada history, ...

Letter: Republicans spin victory from nothing: They commit to this analogy without being challenged by the media or the Democrats. Why can't they be reminded that we went from 1994 to 2000 without an international terrorist act on American soil?

Editorial: How 'green' is their talk?: "It's time for us to stop being the 'against' industry and to come out strong for something important, like a better Earth and a better quality of life," Press was quoted as saying.

Letter: Look outside politics to solve nation's problems: If I had one wish it would be for someone to take the lead (the press) and assemble the brightest minds and think tanks in this country and commit them to the tasks at hand:

John Katsilometes on how Miss America found her way back to Vegas: Cable network CMT, the Miss America Organization and the Aladdin made the decision official in a joint news release Thursday afternoon.

Saving urban wilderness: Historic, cultural and environmental resources are under siege nationally from growing urban populations and their desire to get outdoors.

Voters warned: Don't take the bait: Michael J. Mishak; Calling it classic "bait-and-switch," opponents of Nevada's eminent domain initiative say that the ballot measure, billed as an effort to protect property rights, would instead raise taxes, kill freeway growth and other public works projects and effectively paralyze local governments - all while lining the pockets of trial lawyers.

Public housing official busted for living in subsidized home: By Timothy Pratt; A North Las Vegas Housing Authority official has resigned after he was discovered living in one of the affordable homes he supervised, federal and local officials said.

Ron Kantowski finds Rancho football players making do in a city park as they wait for a real field of their own: For me, that means getting off the U.S. 95 freeway at Eastern and heading north, past the tire shops and the quickie oil change places and the barely recognizable shapes of what used to be fast-food joints that are now slower food joints in need of a paint job and a window wash.

Letter: With few exceptions, good theater is dying: It's quite simple. The shows are mediocre at best. All the ads in the world can't make a musical sell without good tunes. The only good guys left are Webber, Sondheim, Hamlisch and Schonberg. The last good show I saw coming out of New York was the musical written by Sir Elton John, who wrote the score for the Broadway production of the opera "Aida." Another good one is playing at Mandalay Bay, "Mamma Mia!"

ARTS NOTES: Just when you thought artist Todd Goldman has hurled all of the insults he could muster your way, you realize that he's not done. There is plenty more whirling inside the brain of this sassy, self-proclaimed lifelong doodler from Florida.

Jon Ralston observes Jim Gibbons' smooth performance on TV: This will come as unwelcome news to his opponent, state Sen. Dina Titus, and Democrats who would portray the congressman as a bumbling backbencher, but Gibbons did not drool or stumble during the interview.

Editorial: Save now, or regret later: Savings are critical in case of a sudden illness or loss of job, to compensate for a loss of home equity in a housing bubble, to pay for children's college education, as preparation for old age and for dozens of other reasons. Yet a majority of Americans are more inclined these days to spend now and worry about saving later.

Editorial: Energy needs leadership: The abundance of corn and soybeans is at the center of an energy plan announced this week by the state's governor, Rod Blagojevich. He proposed spending $1.2 billion over the next 10 years on a "homegrown" approach to energy needs. His plan includes state investments in new ethanol, biodiesel and coal, and feedstock gasification plants.

Warnings, if not lights, flash on school crossings: By Emily Richmond; The crossing guard was ready. So were the adorable moppets on loan from nearby Gehring Elementary School. Metro Police motorcycle and patrol units were in place to assist with traffic control. And TV news crews were ready to capture Metro's annual back-to-school traffic safety demonstration at the intersection of Maryland Parkway and Silverado Ranch Boulevard.