Print edition for February 20, 2006

Editorial: Hear the whistle blowing: According to Cox News Service, federal whistleblowers - such as those who revealed the government's failure to adequately track the suicide hijackers responsible for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks - have virtually no protection against on-the-job retaliation.

Changing image worth more than words can say: By Christina Littlefield; Four words and three dots - a pretty small package for a message to determine the future of the third-largest community college in the nation. But in the world of marketing, big things often come in little boxes.

The Week Ahead for Feb. 20, 2006: Victoria Salmon Kings at Las Vegas Wranglers, 7:05 p.m., Orleans Arena

Letter: Bush not perfect, but better than alternatives: I would ask what positive contributions Al Gore or John Kerry have made since losing, which would give any indication that one of them would have done a better job than President Bush?

Olympic memories still ring for 'Mystere' performer: It probably shouldn't be too surprising but Cirque du Soleil, which produces four athlete-dominated shows in Vegas ("Mystere," "O," "Zumanity" and "Ka"), has six former Olympians in its productions.

Grave concerns: By Ed Koch; The grass growing over a single grave plot in the Las Vegas Valley requires enough irrigation water to fill 30 bathtubs a year.

'Tooning out critics: If the world were dictated by Todd Goldman's artwork, there would be plenty of peas on Earth, kitties in toasters and bruised boys who had been pelted by rocks.

Editorial: The tracks of their tears: The 800-mile journey, called the Trail of Tears, claimed the lives of more than 4,000 Cherokee tribe members and stole from them ancestral lands they can never reclaim. Part of the trek is memorialized by the 2,200-mile Trail of Tears National Historic Trail that traverses nine states. Last week the National Park Service endorsed a proposal that's currently before Congress that would allow the service to study adding another 2,000 miles of trails to the national Trail of Tears system. In speaking before the Senate Subcommittee on National Parks, a Park Service official said the Department of the Interior "recognizes ...

Editorial: Pork and power in Washington: But after his fall from leadership, precipitated by his indictment in his home state on campaign finance charges, it didn't take long for his aura to dissipate. He is still a representative, and he has even secured a position on the powerful Appropriations Committee, but his power to influence legislation and bring home the bacon has been severely diminished.

Jeff Haney on a celebration of boxing trainer Gil Clancy and how Al Bernstein learned a lesson the hard way: By Jeff Haney; So did Cooney's trainer, Gil Clancy, the boxing hall of famer who was working with the erstwhile "Great White Hope" in preparation for his bout against Big George in Atlantic City.

Impact fees may soon hit home: With the region's spiraling growth bringing thousands of new residents monthly to the Las Vegas Valley - along with demands for more roads, fire stations and parks - local governments are striving to force growth to pay for itself in ways that would raise new home costs.

Letter: Strong leaders make mass transit work: I have just returned from seven weeks in Honolulu and saw firsthand what can be accomplished with forward-thinking and practical elected officials at the helm.

Favorito plays no favorites: By Jerry Fink; Actually it isn't Favorito's fault that his show at Binion's ended up closing.

'Names for cash' could prove costly for district: By Emily Richmond; "They have already had some problems naming schools after living people who then go out and get into trouble," said Carolyn Edwards, a longtime education advocate who plans to run for the District F seat when incumbent trustee Susan Brager-Wellman makes her bid for the County Commission.

Letter: Bible remains up for interpretation: Anyone who has read or studied the Bible with an open mind knows that the book is a collection of confusing articles and contradictions. Anyone can find something in the Testaments to justify anything they so desire.