Print edition for January 29, 2007

Q+A: Bill Richardson: Michael J. Mishak; New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson swung through Nevada over the weekend for the first time since declaring his intentions to run for president.

FLASHPOINT for Jan 29, 2007: By Jon Ralston; A couple of notes on Friday's Inaugural Ball at the Venetian: First, it will be interesting to note which Democratic politicians attended the function considering the Culinary's jihad against Gondolier Numero Uno Sheldon Adelson. That list will be available soon and will be posted at Culinary HQ. Second, did anyone notice where the governor and first lady were on the morning of the ball? Touring the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment and Research - it even merited a news release to invite the media to a place where heroin addicts try to get well. ...

Past failures still haunt Neonopolis developer: Despite Rohit Joshi's string of failed projects and more than $750,000 in civil judgments against him, Las Vegas city officials say that is not reason enough to seek Joshi's removal as developer of the troubled Neonopolis retail center.

Jeff Haney on how a professional gambler proved it's possible to make a living betting the games, not just selling his picks: It achieved a phenomenal rate of growth, awarding its admittedly select clientele a return of 10 times the original investment in a year.

Letter: Gibbons isn't doing much for Nevada: Mary Ann Beam; Those funny little requests when people get busted for a crime (usually white collar) or if you break a law, get caught and sentenced to jail time, you ask for a do-over again and again and again until the judgment suits you.

Ron Kantowski takes one small step with an 'upright, honest guy' who helped make this bowling tournament a classic: By Ron Kantowski; So perhaps that was why Billy Oatman wasn't feeling any pressure under the TV lights when he lined up against Jason Couch on Sunday in the finals of the PBA's Motel 6 Classic at the Strike Zone at Sunset Station.

Editorial: Let the parents be parents: Under Assemblywoman Sally Lieber's plan, it would be a crime to spank a child 3 years old or younger and a parent, or anyone else, who spanked could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Letter: Without enforcement, law goes up in smoke: Garth Courtney; I can't believe the arrogance of the bar owners who are ignoring the smoking ban and it is no surprise because they stand to lose nothing. It makes little sense that the health district is left to enforce the no-smoking ban when it has zero law enforcement training.

Letter: Americans often stubborn about politics: Ken Anderson; I believe that the contents of these letters do not sway a reader one way or another. The reader either agrees or disagrees with what the letter has to say. Further, the readers would like to believe that they are right on an issue because others are saying what they think is true.

Do we have a human trafficking problem?: Sam Skolnik; The federal government believes Las Vegas is a top destination for "human trafficking" victims - from indentured servants to massage parlor workers and prostitutes held captive and forced to commit sex acts.

Editorial: Flunking a lesson in civics: In Gates' twisted image of democracy, members of Congress who disagree with the president's war policy are supposed to keep mum, because to do otherwise encourages enemy forces and makes the United States appear weak. In reality, of course, a representative form of government in which lawmakers openly question the decisions and policies of its executive branch shows that our nation is strong.

Big states might follow Nevada's lead up presidential calendar: Michael Mishak and J. Patrick Coolican; Even as new presidential contenders Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama are furiously working behind the scenes to raise money and scoop up talent, the states are having a more public battle in the fight to be influential in the Democratic nomination process.

Schools feel staffing shortage in security department: By Emily Richmond; It started as a campus food fight, and quickly swelled into a riot.

John Katsilometes follows the train of cameras tailing Paula Abdul, NBT's Woman of the Year: "I was here last year and I thought, what a lovely event, and what a poignant, uh, honor to be able to have the Nevada City Ballet ... a company that expresses and celebrates the art of women's dance ... I thought, 'Wouldn't it be nice if I were honored (gasp!)? You put it out there and it happens," Abdul said during a dizzying news conference prior to the "Black and White Ball," the annual fundraiser for Nevada Ballet Theatre. Twice more the fluttering Abdul misstated the name of the 35-year-old dance troupe during interviews with syndicated entertainment programs, again ...

Editorial: Don't burden the states: The law, inspired by a 9/11 Commission recommendation, requires that state driver's licenses comply with federally approved security measures. The main intent is to prevent terrorists from easily obtaining identification that will enable them to open bank accounts, board airplanes, obtain housing, drive and carry out other activities while plotting attacks.

LOOKING IN ON: THE SUBURBS: By Mike Trask; Angelo Carvalho hoped to be headed to Carson City this month as a rookie assemblyman.

Slow Traffic Ahead: By Joe Schoenmann, Mike Trask; Stand in front of the Coffee Cup Cafe in the middle of Nevada Highway, Boulder City's Main Street, and listen closely.