Print edition for October 13, 2007

Editorial: Tracking cancer patients: State laws require hospitals to submit the names, addresses, ages, races and medical histories of cancer patients to a national registry, which is used by the National Cancer Institute and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to track cancer statistics. The VA is not required to submit data, but has always done so - at least it did until this summer.

Letter: Massage businesses getting a bad rap: Susan M. Stone; As a county-licensed massage therapist since 1990, I can tell you we are one of the most restricted, regulated industries in the county, second only to gambling. And it will soon get worse, now that Metro Police are siccing the Health District on us. None of these increasingly restrictive rules has ever eliminated prostitution, or whatever else they confuse with the practice of therapeutic massage.

Conservatives let loose angst, anger: J. Patrick Coolican and Michael J. Mishak; SPARKS - The gnashing of teeth among conservatives has now begun in earnest.

Editorial: Oversight woefully lacking: One of those companies is UnitedHealth, which may not bode well in the eyes of Nevadans who currently receive Medicare benefits through Sierra Health Services' Senior Dimensions program. UnitedHealth is seeking to acquire Sierra Health.

FLASHPOINT for Oct 13, 2007: By Jon Ralston; You have to give new Clark County Democratic Party Chairman John Hunt credit: He plans to hold the annual Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner on Nov. 15. So why are the Ides of November significant? That's the day of a televised Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas and he is hoping all of the participants will dine at the Jefferson-Jackson gala afterward. It's a smart idea and he is spending some cash to hire Stephanie Cutter, a former Harry Reid aide turned bigfoot Democratic D.C. consultant, to help make that happen. She could get the event some national press attention, if Hunt ...

Ron Kantowski looks at how Brigham Young has made filling the stadium easier for the bowl game's organizers: Where: Sam Boyd Stadium

Mormons exposed, Mormons opposed: They are all come-hither, all sexpotted out, leaning and gazing and stretching and lounging in full-gloss, $14.99 calendars; Mr. December, Mr. March, Mr. Puffed Up Pin Up, Mr. Missionary.

Letter: Here's hoping Las Vegas meets a better fate: Edward Howatt; Visitors come to Las Vegas to enjoy the opulent casinos. They also come for conventions, golf and other outdoor activities. They and their families marvel at the unique constructions along the Strip and see the attractions on Fremont Street. Las Vegas is indeed a spectacular city, built in a desert.

Editorial: Surveillance stalemate: Telecommunications companies such as AT&T and Verizon are facing multibillion-dollar civil lawsuits filed by customers who say their privacy was violated when the companies allowed federal agents seeking information on possible terrorist activity to eavesdrop on conversations in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The dustbowl effect: Phoebe Sweet, Las Vegas Sun; Sen. Harry Reid has become a champion of the environment this year, taking aim with particular vengeance at the coal industry , saying - along with many scientists and environmentalists - that continued reliance on coal will help turn the Great Basin region into a dust bowl and dry out the Colorado River.

Letter: Three cheers for ballet's young stars: K. W. Jeter; Although I'm glad to see the media catching on to what Nevada Ballet Theatre's supporters have known for some time now, that we're fortunate to have a first-rate dance company in our city, I don't think your reporter's assessment of NBT's corps de ballet is quite on the mark.