Print edition for September 19, 2006

Letter: Ensign's blind support of Bush: How can Sen. Ensign disregard the anti-torture position of Sen. John McCain, who endured torture himself as a prisoner of war for five and a half years during the Vietnam War? President Bush warns that these interrogation methods have yielded valuable information that have prevented terrorist attacks. Where's the evidence of those failed attacks? Is he referring to those seven homeless guys in Florida who thought they could get some new boots from al-Qaida by saying they would blow up the Sears Tower?

FLASHPOINT for Sep 19, 2006: Amid all the gnashing of teeth over TASC and PISTOL, the marijuana initiative has been forgotten. Even the other smoking initiatives - the two involving cigarettes and cigars - have garnered more attention. Advocates for the so-called Regulation of Marijuana initiative plan to confront county commissioners today. I don't expect Chip Maxfield and Bruce Woodbury to acknowledge they smoke pot to alleviate the headaches caused by Tom Collins. Or by the thought of Chris Giunchigliani coming on board. No, the pro-pot folks are upset that Sheriff Bill Young wants commissioners to pass a resolution against Question 7. Finally, perhaps we ...

Editorial: Marking a milestone: According to information released by the center this week, the facility already has been involved in more than 30 clinical trials and has expanded its outreach efforts with offices in Sparks, Elko and Fallon. The institute's goal is to create a comprehensive research facility under the auspices of the National Cancer Institute. But it won't be easy.

Editorial: Use laws now in place: Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian told the Las Vegas Sun in a story published Monday that her measure still has some vague wording that poses challenges for law enforcement and that it was "not supposed to be on the agenda" for a City Council committee meeting today.

Letter: Oldies listener upset by changing format: Hey, I have been an oldies listener for 30 years - first in New York, where sadly they lost the best radio station, WCBS-FM, which was synonymous with oldies with the greatest DJs. I am in my mid-50s, married, an empty nester and, yes, I have disposable income to spend. So advertisers, hear my words: I am willing to listen to your ads and I can spend money since my children are grown, my husband and I both work and have only our mortgage to worry about. I thoroughly dispute the comment that we are past our "peak spending years." ...

High School Focus: Robert Marquis (45) congratulates Jarrod Watkins at the end of Shadow Ridge's 21-7 road win Friday against Palo Verde in the Northwest Division opener for both teams. Shadow Ridge's Chris McMillan, subbing for the injured Jeremiah Dotson, broke off a 62-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to open the scoring. He led the Mustangs with 117 yards rushing and had nine tackles and a fumble recovery on defense. Quarterback Chris Lowman battled the wind to complete five passes, including a 26-yard score to Korey Toomer. Rashan Lawrence ran for 145 yards for Palo Verde, and Rockney Ricafrente added 124 ...

Letter: Some suggestions for safer roads: 1. Most major cities use the 55 mph limit on their highways within city limits. Having some drivers hurtle their way on our highways at 75-85 mph is not acceptable.

Editorial: Surprising E. coli scare: The world's largest producer of organic produce, Natural Selection Foods, has been linked to the tainted spinach through a California company that produced spinach for Natural Selection, the Associated Press reports. U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials have called the outbreak "unquestionably significant." A case of E. coli infection reported in Las Vegas has linked Nevada to the nationwide scare.

LOOKING IN ON: GAMING: By Liz Benston; The convoluted Internet gambling debate in Congress has taken another bizarre turn. News that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is trying to tack an online gambling ban onto a military authorization bill is catching flak from bloggers across the political spectrum.

Want new taxi route? Get ready for a fight: By Richard N. Velotta; Imagine the chaos that would ensue if every time MGM Mirage wanted to expand one of its casinos, its competitors at Harrah's and Wynn Las Vegas and the Venetian and - well, everybody - could object because it would take business away from the rest of the industry.

Health benefits divide Titus, Gibbons: CARSON CITY - The candidates for governor differ on a controversial plan to reduce or eliminate health insurance subsidies for future state workers when they retire, with Republican Rep. Jim Gibbons favoring the idea and Democratic state Sen. Dina Titus vowing to fight it.

THE MONEY GAME: WASHINGTON - This is the part of Congress you never see - your elected officials alone in a tiny, drab office with nothing but a desk, a phone and one thing on their minds: money.