Print edition for October 17, 2007

Letter: Revenue from state builds casinos in China: What does he mean, drive investment out of Nevada? Who is building those lavish casinos in China? I'm sure it's not the Chinese. It is a sham.

When music ruled Vegas: By Jerry Fink; When jazz saxophonist Jimmy Mulidore arrived in Las Vegas in 1957, it was a golden age for musicians.

Government, brought to you by advertisers: By Timothy Pratt; The bald eagle's legs splay, 13 arrows stuffed into the right talon, olive branches spilling out of the left.

Fifth diamond for Venetian equals Wynn: By Liz Benston; What a difference a diamond makes.

Editorial: Mortgage crisis upon us: Most have to do with allowing struggling mortgage holders to qualify more easily for government-supported refinancing, and with ways to provide consumers with honest financial counseling.

Editorial: Reviewing lethal injection: Critics of lethal injection, many of whom also oppose the death penalty, say the three-chemical cocktail immobilizes inmates but still allows them to feel pain until the moment of death. For that reason, they contend, lethal injection violates the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

Editorial: Conservative compassion: Although they wrap themselves in family values, many Republicans have exposed their true interests in lining up with the president against the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

Jeff Haney explains that the latest attempt at a team poker league must overcome entrenched thinking about the game: A league of eight teams, each containing eight well-known professional players, was supposed to debut in Las Vegas early this year. Organizers boasted of weekly live TV broadcasts and 100-plus hours of programming in a 42-week season.

One person's eyesore, another's ride for sale: Mike Trask, Las Vegas Sun; Liz Jordan spent her Sunday enjoying the beautiful fall day with a garage sale.

Q&A: Nancy Hart: By Emily Richmond; They gathered in small knots outside the prison in Carson City on Monday, braving blustery winds and speeding cars, clutching hand-lettered signs urging an end to capital punishment. At a few minutes past 7 p.m., Nancy Hart, president of the Nevada Coalition Against the Death Penalty, made her way to the dirt shoulder of the road to share the news with two dozen fellow activists.

FLASHPOINT for Oct 17, 2007: By Jon Ralston; Only inside the Beltway would the vultures be circling three years before someone is up for reelection. But that's what's happening in D.C. as ambitious senators already are talking - all right, whispering - about succeeding Majority Leader Harry Reid. So says Roll Call, which reported this week that although Reid is signaling he will run in 2010, that isn't stopping the speculation. So who's circling? Chuck Schumer, Chris Dodd and Dick Durbin. There is the expected denial from Reid spokesman Jim Manley that the senator is even considering retiring - "He intends to run when he's up in three ...

Letter: Congress should ignore Bush's wishes: Our Congress is also held captive, though we, the American people, tried to help them escape in 2006 by giving Congress a Democratic majority in the House and the Senate. Yet Bush still continues to control, to hold them captive. For he has enough Republican cohorts to thwart any changes from what he wants. And so the captivity continues.

Jon Ralston notes how lucky pols are that voters don't pay attention: By Jon Ralston; How else to explain the politics of simplicity that has overtaken the discussion of the state's finances? As Nevada has grown and its problems have become more acute and complex, the discussion seems to have devolved to a most shallow and inane level of discourse.

Letter: Extremists shouldn't have hand in policy: The answer to Mr. Will's questions - " Why are such schools of indoctrination permitted in institutions of higher education? And why are people of all political persuasions taxed to finance propaganda?" - is simple. You are witnessing more of the cultural polarization that is infusing this entire country.

Political civility derailed for a day: WASHINGTON - Bipartisanship can be such a fragile thing.

VICTOR ARBELAEZ SR.: 1953-2007: After collapsing on the soccer field during Bishop Gorman's boys soccer practice, Victor Arbelaez Sr. made the sign of the cross.