Print edition for April 24, 2007

FLASHPOINT for Apr 24, 2007: There is something in mental health known as denial. First lady Dawn Gibbons demonstrated this when asked about criticism of her husband: "I don't really think it's criticism. You know if you look at the TV, you could say something was black or white. You know, like if I said it was white, you could make an argument. I think it's just the way it is and there are some unfortunate things about it. But in politics, I mean I read this book about Abraham Lincoln and they practically crucified the guy. Well I mean look, Jesus Christ was a ...

Editorial: Aware of dangers: As the Washington Post reported Monday, the FDA did not have the resources to address the problems at a Georgia peanut butter plant or a California spinach farm. Astonishingly, the agency relied on the food producers to enact safeguards .

Taking his art to the streets: Throw Buster Simpson onto any street corner, urban pathway or office park and within seconds he has surveyed the site, calculated options and absorbed the demographics, social and economic history. Then he can sputter an articulate idea - all while pushing back his baseball cap and throwing in a joke or two.

New owners brush Aladdin's old image under the carpet: By Liz Benston; Last year the Aladdin, in the midst of a two-year reconstruction project, pulled in only about as much cash as the Tropicana or Riviera - properties decades older and supposedly less competitive.

Reid's words on war ring loudly: WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's blurted statement last week that the Iraq war is lost may have damaged his party's standing as it heads to a showdown with President Bush.

Editorial: But at what cost?: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, mindful of the message that voters sent Congress in November, is leading the way in applying the pressure. He and other Democratic leaders have been forced into this position, as Bush refuses to acknowledge that a bipartisan strategy for Iraq is long overdue.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW: Jeff Haney, Las Vegas Sun; What: Fifth annual World Poker Tour Championship final table

Letter: Responsibility best taught by discipline: The day passed and we each went home, where we now needed to ask our parents to provide us with an "excused absence note" in order to participate in the next school day. My mother refused to give me an excuse and said, "I will not lie for you; you made your bed and you have to lie in it."

CORRECTIONS: A story Sunday incorrectly reported that officer Nancy Carlin and her K-9 partner , Oscar , work in Metro's detention and enforcement department. Carlin and Oscar work for the city of Las Vegas' detention and enforcement department.

John Katsilometes picks up some old material at an Old Vegas event, the third annual Meatball Awards: The event at Imperial Palace's Imperial Theatre was alternately touching and bizarre but never boring. What more can you say about an event where the award presenters included a lounge legend (the ever-bronzed Cook E. Jarr) and a for-real legend (former Supreme Mary Wilson, who at age 63 is still hot! Hot! I tell you).

Letter: Let's put events into perspective: What if American newspapers put the photographs of American soldiers who have died in Iraq on their front pages each month? Do the media feel that we just don't need a reminder that there is very little that is measurable that shows any degree of progress in Iraq, while there is just too much that is measurable that shows us a paucity of progress?

Expect one cool show when 'Ice' debuts at Riviera: Who: "Ice: Direct From Russia"

U.S. marshals rev up auction with confiscated Indy car: Anyone in the market for an Indy race car?

Editorial: Policing a faith: An Orthodox Jew, Riback has run into trouble because he wants to grow a beard and wear a yarmulke, the traditional head covering, to keep in line with his beliefs. Metro Police policy requires that officers be clean-shaven unless they work under cover or have a medical condition that prevents them from doing so.

Letter: Searching for ways to prevent deadly violence: In earlier generations, youth "solved" their problems with fist fights and direct confrontation. Though this may not be the best manner of solving conflicts, at least pain inflicted on one person was pain felt (to a lesser extent) by the other combatant. Those who entered into fights knew that they would be locked in a struggle that more often than not would exhaust both sides (even if only verbally).

Prognosis improving: By Christina Littlefield; Nevada's chronic need for health care professionals is being addressed by the likes of Matthew McGauran, who is a few weeks shy of getting his physician assistant license.