Letters to the editor Feb. 19

We should all become peacemakers

We tend to think of misuse of power when someone does violence. I'd like to suggest that it is also a misuse of power when we opt not to use the power we have.

I'm speaking especially to women when I say that we need to use our power to speak out against the violent rhetoric that has become a part of our culture. If we women started writing letters decrying the name calling (e.g. feminazis for women who speak up for women's rights) and the call to violence, suggesting putting our opponents in the cross-hairs of our rifle, we could perhaps change the direction our use of language has been going.

It took me a long time to develop the courage to object to a racist or sexist joke, but gradually, I got to be pretty good at it. I think the time has come for each of us to become active peacemakers in this angry, violent time.

Midge Breeden

Carson City

Donating pay cuts to charity doesn't help state

I'm confused again. With the state employees being asked to give back 4.6 percent of their pay, how does it help the state's financial crisis if they are allowed to donate it to a charity instead?

Why doesn't Gov. Sandoval understand that the option to donate the 4.6 percent instead of just a cut in pay will not help our state's budget.

Glen Bush

Carson City