Columns by Brian Greenspun

Our Legislature needs to step up and get the job done: May 19, 2013; By Brian Greenspun; I have been one of those Nevadans who believed that the Legislature should meet no more than every two years and for no more than a specific amount of time. The theory has been that when forced to do the work, legislators will get it done and leave the good people of Nevada alone the rest of the time. I was wrong.

Better have a good reason if you forgot Mother’s Day: May 12, 2013; By Brian Greenspun; Hank Greenspun was well-known for taking his life in his hands by forgetting such important dates as Mother’s Day, his wedding anniversary, an important birthday and the like. He compounded the problem by writing about these matters in his “Where I Stand” column. I know that Las Vegans — both newcomers and those who have been here forever — enjoy reliving some of the good old days through Hank’s words. So I have chosen a column he wrote on Mother’s Day 1954 to republish today.

Firefighters spray water on twisted metal to keep fire and fumes from escaping at the Pacific Engineering Production Company of Nevada plant May 5, 1988.

Anger after the explosion’s fallout: May 5, 2013; By Brian Greenspun; On this weekend’s 25th anniversary of the explosion at the PEPCON industrial plant — a mighty blast that killed two people, injured several hundred and blew out windows throughout the valley — I am ceding my normal column space to my late father, Hank Greenspun, who was the editor and publisher of the Sun at the time.

Smatresk’s leadership elevates university: April 28, 2013; By Brian Greenspun; How do we evaluate Neal Smatresk? Employee evaluations are supposed to be private — mostly, I assume, because candor is important when deciding whether a person has done or is doing a good job. People who talk about others want protection from any reprisals, and protecting a person from too much candor — an opinion laced with bias — is also good policy.

Kudos to NV Energy for helping our health: April 7, 2013; By Brian Greenspun; If you have your health, you have everything.

We have a right to feel safe: March 31, 2013; By Brian Greenspun; In the end, they just didn’t feel safe. Assembly Majority Leader William Horne expressed that sentiment after the very sad saga of Assemblyman Steven Brooks during the process that led to his being expelled by the legislative body to which he was duly elected.

Gag order obscures the real fight: March 24, 2013; By Brian Greenspun; I think I know why Nevada voters, like so many others, are getting sick of politics.

Promising signs for the future: March 17, 2013; By Brian Greenspun; In a world that has seen a dearth of positives over the past five years, I think the signs this past week around the world and here at home give us reason for hope.

Continue the good work CCSD chief started: March 10, 2013; By Brian Greenspun; Thank you, Dwight Jones.

Kids will be ready to take torch: March 3, 2013; By Brian Greenspun; I’ve always enjoyed getting haircuts — even if I only needed a little trim — because it was an opportunity for pleasant conversation with Tony.

Las Vegans continue giving: Feb. 24, 2013; By Brian Greenspun; The power of love in Las Vegas is a reason for celebration.

Drones play an important role in keeping us safe: Feb. 10, 2013; By Brian Greenspun; I believe in baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, the American dream, Jack Bauer, the U.S. Constitution and, yes, drones.

We won’t have to scream if the Legislature does its job: Feb. 3, 2013; By Brian Greenspun; Where are the pitchforks? Where are the torches yearning to burn? Where is the angry mob?

For some people, it's all about red meat: Jan. 27, 2013; By Brian Greenspun; I spent a little time last week at the movies and in front of the television learning about the benefits and detriments of red meat. My experience included a wonderful two hours at the movies watching “Life of Pi” and many hours watching or listening to the congressional hearings with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Our children shouldn’t have to live in a savage world: Jan. 20, 2013; By Brian Greenspun; Let’s not get emotional about our guns. After all, they are just a bunch of shiny objects that shoot bullets and other projectiles with only one ultimate purpose — killing.

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Benghazi scandal is manufactured: I keep hearing Republican politicians saying, “The American people want to know what happened in Benghazi.”; Continues…; James Witherspoon, Las Vegas
Implement lottery in lieu of taxes: Do you think it is time for a lottery in this state?; Continues…; Bruce Karley, Las Vegas
Bill would improve voting process: We should do everything we can to ensure that voter rolls are up to date so that the integrity of the vote is protected in Nevada.; Continues…; Kara Freeman, Las Vegas
Las Vegas is fine just the way it is: In response to many who say, “Clean up the Strip,” come on.; Continues…; Judy Allison, Las Vegas
Hits keep coming for Obama team: The Obama administration is unraveling and disintegrating before America’s eyes. The unfolding situation is both a national embarrassment and a disgrace.; Continues…; Bob Jack, North Las Vegas
Long-hauling costs city in credibility: In March, I visited Las Vegas for the sixth time. I was part of a group of seven people getting together. We arrived at different times and took several cabs.; Continues…; Ronald Perron, Toronto, Canada
IRS scandal bad for whole nation: One of the latest scandals out of Washington deals with the Internal Revenue Service willfully targeting conservative groups for audits and inquiries.; Continues…; Carmine A. DiFazio,  North Las Vegas
School District is saving lives: The fact that the Clark County School District is taking action against the possibility of teen suicide and self-harm is commendable.; Continues…; Sara Sunalika Pant, Dallas