Print edition for September 22, 2006

Jon Ralston is impressed at the clarity and brevity displayed by lawyer-politicians: I credit moderator John Curtas, a local lawyer who moved it along, and timekeeper Eric Mann, the Clark County bar's executive director, whose bell pealed and was heeded at this candidates forum:

Reefer Redux: By Marshall Allen; Legal marijuana could be regulated and taxed. And the revenue would be split between drug treatment and education programs and the state's general fund.

Letter: Our president is a bit unclear on dignity: The president said: "This debate is occurring because of the Supreme Court's ruling that said that we must conduct ourselves under the Common Article III of the Geneva Conventions. And that Common Article III says that there will be no outrages upon human dignity. It's very vague. What does that mean, outrages upon human dignity?"

Sales soften; homebuilders retreat from land deals, new permits: In another sign the housing market is softening, Las Vegas Valley homebuilders are backing out of land deals as new-home sales remain sluggish.

Letter: Listening to W. speak is a lot like torture: I know in my own case, the only way I can tolerate one of his speeches is to make a drinking game of it. For instance, taking a drink whenever he says "nucular" for nuclear, "terra" for terror, or "Mericans" for Americans.

Editorial: Fixing an ailing system: The report was prepared for Congress by the Institute of Medicine, a division of the National Academy of Sciences that provides research for the federal government. The institute says Medicare - the federally funded health care program for Americans 65 and older and some disabled people - rewards quantity rather than quality by paying for what it called "excessive use" of high-cost and complex procedures in hospitals and nursing homes.

Editorial: More security baggage: According to a recent story by USA Today, the 220-page report - written by officials from airports, airlines, security design firms and some Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials - says the scanners are slow and labor-intensive and were little more than a hasty response in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Democrats plan hearings that focus on hiring in Iraq: WASHINGTON - After failing to persuade the Republican-led Congress to investigate problems with the war in Iraq, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and other Democrats have arrived at an unorthodox strategy: They will hold their own hearings around the country.

FLASHPOINT for Sep 22, 2006: First, Jill Derby comes up with a silly ditty to boost her congressional campaign and make her sound as if she is a cowgirl. And now we have Jack Carter declaring that an appropriate anthem for his U. S. Senate race is "A Place in My Heart Called Nevada." Well, at least it has been in his heart for the four years he has lived in a place called Nevada. So Carter has, ahem, appropriated the tune for his campaign, which will be performed for his ex-presidential dad next week in Fallon. The tune will be sung by the Carson ...

No kids? No problem - plenty of goodies here to spoil your fluffy pets: Now I'm not dumb but I can't understand why she should walk like a dog but talk like a man.

Commissioner won't explain land deal: Tony Cook, Las Vegas Sun; Less than six months after helping to obtain a 2005 zoning change for a local hotel developer, Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald acquired 4.7 acres of land from the same developer in the boomtown of White Hills, Ariz.

Culinary remains skeptical about IRS' promise: As the head of the state's largest union, D. Taylor has fought many battles with the Internal Revenue Service on behalf of his tip-earning members.

Editorial: 'Nevada is not for sale': Yet such an arrangement is contained within a proposal drafted for Congress' consideration by the Nuclear Energy Institute, the policy and lobbying organization of the nuclear power industry.

Letter: Cell phone ban should include all drivers: The article mentioned a bill requested by Assemblyman Mark Manendo prohibiting minors from using hand-held cell phones while driving. But if cell phone use is a danger on our roads, then it is a safety issue for all drivers, not just teens.

ARTS NOTES: When J.K. Rowling's books were added to the American Library Association's list of challenged or banned books in the 1990s, they shared space with America's literary treasures.

TAKE FIVE: Erin Crocker: It hasn't been the smoothest of seasons for Erin Crocker, who was handpicked out of the sprint-car ranks by NASCAR team owner Ray Evernham to be one of his developmental drivers.