Print edition for January 2, 2007

Editorial: What's in a clone?: The FDA began studying the risks of food from cloned animals shortly after placing a voluntary moratorium on the sales of such items in 2001. The results of those studies now enter a 90-day public comment period, after which sales of products from cloned animals could begin.

John Katsilometes takes in the New Year's Eve festivities, during which he hangs out with Clint Holmes, the mayor and a psychic, and stops in on parties at the El Cortez and Stirling Club: As we careened toward midnight and beyond, we (twice) ran into Clint Holmes and Kelly Clinton, observed revelers at the Fremont Street Experience quaffing adult beverages from clear plastic footballs, bumped into a psychic with an intriguing prediction about Michael Jackson and Celine Dion, asked Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman about his undersized martini glass and visited both El Cortez and the Stirling Club, among many other haunts.

Editorial: A new court policy?: Aloof? Absolutely. It adds to the court's mystique and its reputation. The rule barring cameras in the building has allowed justices to work in relative anonymity, and that has suited the justices just fine.

Q+A: Kevin Kruger: Rob Miech, Las Vegas Sun; Click here for a printable list.

What's in a color? For some, a tribute: By Mike Trask; In the annals of bizarre homeowner disputes, Cynthia Turner's decision to turn her garage door into a shrine for dead relatives must rank near the top.

Editorial: Voting with eyes open: The Newhouse News Service reported that many Democratic candidates for the House, including Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash., made that an issue as they campaigned during last year's election season. They charged that under Republican leadership, many voluminous bills were presented to rank-and-file members for a vote with virtually no notice.

Developer has history of failed projects: By Mark Hansel, Mary Manning; Las Vegas city officials hope Rohit Joshi is the savvy developer who can turn Neonopolis into a moneymaker and tourist attraction.

Letter: Iraq had no choice but to execute Saddam: Capital punishment is society's ultimate justice for individuals who commit ultimate crimes. Equating society's punishment to the criminal's act undermines society's sense of morality and puts it at risk. Other "arguments" against capital punishment are mere rationalizations for this flawed and confused morality.

Comparing spin machines in the nurses strike: By Marshall Allen; Click here for a printable chart.

Sensitive personal data tossed in the trash: By Abigail Goldman; A nosy neighbor looking for illegal trash spotted 40 boxes in a Dumpster on Decatur Boulevard - a closer look revealed financial paperwork that could have been an "identity theft buffet."

Letter: Forum complements high school education: Instead of lowering expectations by asking such questions as "What do you think about fashion?" the Sun Youth Forum offers students the opportunity to consider adult problems, using evidence and reasoning skills. Finally, some participants are empowered by the Sun's publication of their thoughts, including summaries of what others said, in their columns. It is worth noting that summarizing is a key to effective listening.

Letter: Swift justice could help deter criminals: Virgil Sestini; In this country we have attorneys who use every ploy and legal maneuver in the book to prolong the lives of murderers and others sentenced to death. We have a system of appeal after appeal for those who have committed murder and other heinous crimes to the point that our justice system is laughable. Perhaps we should take an example from Iraq and allow our convicted murderers to enjoy the same swift application of justice.

Letter: Children especially at risk from smokers: The main complaint I get from high school and middle school children is on secondhand smoke in the home. I give the kids who have a secondhand smoke problem at home a paper to give to whomever is smoking in front of them. Sometimes it helps and sometimes they are punished for bringing the paper home.