Print edition for October 20, 2007

Letter: Commentators offer extraordinary insight: Regarding Andy Zelleke's commentary, "America is no longer as special as it once was," I have thought this for some time and I am glad, if sad, that someone printed it. The U.S. is far closer to being a Third World country than I ever thought it would be. But we still have many fine, intelligent people who continue to try to stimulate us to be more active and take back our country from Bush & Cheney Inc.

Letter: GOP dumps family values by keeping Craig: If they had real family values they would run that joke of a senator, Larry Craig, out of office.

Maybe the whole thing was choreographed in the first place...: By Jon Ralston; Maybe the whole thing was choreographed in the first place. Maybe Harry Reid and Rush Limbaugh, supposed avowed enemies, were conspiring to create a sensation just so they could raise money for a good cause. Or maybe people are insane - in a good way. I say this in reaction to news that the letter Senate Majority Leader Reid sent to Clear Channel asking the company that employs commentator Limbaugh to force him to apologize for his "phony soldiers" comments is going for a fortune on eBay. Would you believe $2 million-plus? And the proceeds go to a foundation that ...

MINING LIKES ITS TAX NEVADA'S WAY: By Lisa Mascaro; WASHINGTON - Even as Nevadans wonder whether to increase the tax on wealthy casinos, Nevada's booming commercial gold miners are facing criticism for exploiting enormous, tax-busting loopholes in the state's Comstock Lode-era mining law.

Editorial: New hope for justice: Based on what Mukasey told the Senate Judiciary Committee during confirmation hearings this week, we believe he has the necessary integrity to return the Justice Department to its proper role as an objective law enforcement agency.

LOOKING IN ON: EDUCATION: By Emily Richmond; School spirit is on an upswing among the Western Warriors.

Editorial: Changing priorities: According to a story by The Washington Post on Wednesday, the Justice Department's immigration prosecutions rose by 36 percent from 2000 to 2006, and the amount of money it spends on counterterrorism programs has tripled since the 2001 terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, the number of crimes traditionally investigated by the department has declined since 2006, including drug trafficking and fraud.

After 14 years wrongly served, he sues those who put him behind bars: A Las Vegas man released from prison in March after a federal judge determined he was wrongfully convicted of sexually abusing his daughter has filed a lawsuit against key players in the case, including the prosecutor and the public defender.

Reach for your wallet, Limbaugh: Here's how an opera-loving little old lady ended up paying $2.1 million on eBay for a bunch of senators' autographs:

Letter: Bush, Cheney know nothing of sacrifice: Although Bush and Cheney have no up-close-and-personal experience in combat, they send our soldiers into a despicable quagmire in a vain attempt to redeem their fallacious decision to invade Iraq. And why not? It is not their sons, daughters, brothers and sisters who are losing their lives and limbs in this pitiful excuse for a war.

Editorial: Opening government: Federal prosecutors during the past several years have stepped up efforts to make journalists name whistleblowers , informants and others who can shed light on wrongdoing. The result is that people are reluctant to talk about wrongdoing for fear of being exposed.

Ron Kantowski explains why arena football was a bad idea and a failure in Las Vegas: George Zoffinger, executive director of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, said the Gladiators have yet to notify him they are moving.