Print edition for March 16, 2006

Editorial: Reform is unwisely blocked: Voting 224-192, the House stopped Rep. Martin Sabo, D-Minn., from offering an amendment to a spending bill that would have revised the way proposed foreign takeovers of American businesses are reviewed by the federal government. We see the blocking of his amendment as foolish partisanship. The Dubai Ports World issue exposed weaknesses in the current review process.

Editorial: Newsman takes a bow: Wallace, who turns 88 on May 9, has symbolized the news magazine show's reputation for asking hard questions since it first aired in 1968. But his rigorous style was his trademark almost from the moment he stepped into the CBS studios in 1951. Wallace is among those early news pioneers who can take credit for creating the television news interview. Many credit Wallace and "60 Minutes" creator Don Hewitt, who retired in 2004, with creating the news magazine genre.

Letter: You can't easily label president's detractors: Not all "liberals" hate George Bush just as not all "conservatives" support him. I would consider myself liberal on issues of health care for all Americans and a war on poverty, and I am conservative on issues like the death penalty, immigration and incentives for businesses.

Ron Kantowski on how NASCAR's recent success may be affecting other major sports in ways we never imagined: It also offered further proof that if there is a formula for blending sport and entertainment that appeals to fans, sponsors and advertisers alike, NASCAR has reinvented it.

Alaska visit hot ticket at Orleans: The Wranglers (45-10-6, 96 points) have been trying to catch the Aces (47-9-4, 98 points, before Wednesday's action) atop the West Division of the National Conference all season.

Editorial: 'March Madness' is upon us: NCAA officials don't want to hear it, but a big reason why the tournament has become so successful is because of betting - principally the office pools where co-workers wager on the tournament's outcome. While UNLV hasn't been in the NCAA Tournament since 2000, it goes without saying that this is a huge event for Las Vegas, where sports betting is legal.

No stranger to Strip, Donovan back in town: By Jerry Fink; The vivacious performer - perhaps best known for her part in the syndicated game show "Face the Music" (originally airing in 1980-81) - moved to Southern Nevada a few weeks ago from Florida.

Letter: Impeachment case is not hard to develop: This rubber-stamp approving Republican House will be hard-pressed not to act. With the president's base turning on him - and finally joining their Democratic brothers and sisters who have long been outraged at how wantonly Mr. Bush has led this country into war, debt and moral bankruptcy with regard to our Constitution - if they want to return to Washington come next election, they are going to have to perform.

Keeping her eyes on track: In fact, Patrick said the opposite is true as she prepared for next weekend's Indy Racing League IndyCar Series opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

John Katsilometes recalls one of the more enterprising promotions in the history of Las Vegas entertainment: That was a plan the Las Vegas Sting of the Arena Football League put into motion more than 10 years ago. The team is defunct, but memories of "Free Cash Night" will never die. And as the Las Vegas Wranglers hockey team is set to host its inspired "Dick Cheney Hunting Vest Night" Friday at the Orleans Arena, this Sting operation is worth dusting off.

Letter: Taking Roe to its extreme is alarming: Prior to that ruling, abortion was murder, but afterwards became the absolute right of the woman. A right that said in part that if the woman didn't want the responsibility of raising a child, she had the right to terminate that obligation.

Entrepreneur, civic leader Tobman dies at 81: Tobman, president of the Stardust hotel in the 1970s and owner of Western Cab Co. since 1968, would regale customers with his stories about working as a teenage bellhop in the Catskill Mountain resorts or of his early days in 1950s Las Vegas when he was a gas station attendant and star softball player.

Dealing with the world's woes: By Christina Littlefield; UNLV officials are attempting to harness the power of the pen with a new think tank that will let authors and poets take a stab at some of the world's greatest problems.

Helldorado lives another day: Dan Kulin; Las Vegas Elks Lodge 1468 is organizing the Helldorado Days festivities this year, with most of the activities, such as rodeos and a Western village exhibit, scheduled to be at the new South Coast casino's arena during the first two weeks of May. A complete schedule is available at www.lvhelldoradodays.com.

Mobile shelter to finally be used: After watching the mobile shelter that it acquired with federal Homeland Security funds sit unused for 16 months, Las Vegas' solution to that problem is to not wait for an emergency to press the equipment into service.

Attacks on Chanos were building: Jeff German and Steve Kanigher; Nevada Attorney General George Chanos says he bailed out of the election this year because his five months in office taught him that "the system stinks."

Sheriff candidate fighting suspension: David Kihara; A Metro Police lieutenant who is running for sheriff on a promise to "aggressively pursue those who would endanger us all by drinking and driving" was given a three-week suspension two years ago for drinking and driving a police car.

Court should get a slowing ticket: As if it wasn't bad enough to get a traffic ticket, people trying to take care of them in Las Vegas Justice Court may have an additional headache.