Penny PressLas Vegas, NV Volume 6 Number 17 JANUARY 15, 2009

THE PENNY PRESS,JANUARY 15, 2009 PAGE 2

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Credits:Publisher and Editor: Contributing Editors:Fred Weinberg Floyd Brown Al Thomas Circulation: Doug French Bill HereCharlotte Weinberg John Getter Pat Choate Joyce Meyer Wyatt Cox

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By FLOYD and MARY BETH BROWN

Contributing EditorsConnecticut is considering a

bailout for local papers. But govern-ment assistance always comes with a catch. In the case of government aid of newspapers, it will destroy the

ability of those papers to function as watchdogs. As journalism professor Paul Janensch told Reuters, “You can’t expect a watchdog to bite the hand that feeds it.” That’s why the news out of Connecticut is very dis-turbing.

Two small-town papers have been in danger of being shut down

because of decreasing revenue and poor management decisions. Journal Register Corp. recently had to sell the two papers, The Bristol Press and The (New Britain) Herald. Without a buyer, the alternative would have been to close the papers.

Just prior to the sale, one Connecticut State Rep., Frank Nicastro, along with the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development, came to save the day. They offered a helping hand. Nicastro believes “the media is a vitally important part of America.” For that reason, he has been willing to extend a bailout and keep these newspapers in business. The news-papers’ announced buyer, Michael E. Schroeder, has declined to com-ment on any specific tax breaks or other incentives that may have been offered or accepted.

The preservation of America’s democracy has long relied on a free and fiercely independent press. Newspapers play a crucial role in investigations of government cor-ruption. Elections become meaning-less when information is not acces-sible regarding government officials and their activities.

In countries with dictatorships or weak democracies, the press is one of the first institutions to come under attack. They hold a nation’s leaders accountable. Widespread propaganda is only effective where a free press is absent, and then the citizenry can be fed government-sponsored lies. The freedom of our press would be undermined even by this less overt but equally dangerous newsroom subsidy.

Preserving the free press is impossible when that industry is

subsisting on government handouts. As the old adage goes, a government powerful enough to give something is powerful enough to take it away.

Government involvement in assisting newspapers throws the idea of a free and fair press out the window. This is a timely issue, given that most newspaper publish-ers including The Washington Post Co., McClatchy, and The New York Times are dealing with tough fiscal times as the economy sinks and ad revenues decline sharply.

Over the coming months, watch as it becomes increasingly com-mon for newspaper publishers to seek government assistance as they struggle to survive in this challeng-ing economy. When the government becomes involved in a private indus-try, the assistance always comes

Penny PressLAS VEGAS, NEVADA 16 PAGES VOLUME 6 NUMBER 17 JANUARY 15, 2009

Penny WisdomTimes have not become more violent. They have just become more televised. —Marilyn Manson

The Conservative Weekly Voice Of Las Vegas

Inside:We Don't Want Obama To FailSee Editorial Page 6

WILL DURST PAGE 5FRED WEINBERG PAGE 6DOUG FRENCH PAGE 7CARTOON PAGE 8AL THOMAS PAGE 10WYATT COX PAGE 11JOYCE MEYER PAGE 12PET OF THE WEEK PAGE 15

Will The News Media Be Neutered?

Commentary

Continued on page4

with strings attached. As evidenced by the recent bailouts of the banking and auto industries, Congress only doled out money once they were given greater oversight and control over the recipient.

Even if a newspaper is not under direct pressure by the government, there will be an inherent pressure to not upset those who are funding your company. If the state of Connecticut is giving tax breaks to The Bristol Press, and the paper starts writing articles and editorials critical of the gov-ernor, those in authority could easily decide they could no longer afford to give tax breaks for that company.

Lost amid the myriad of Rod Blagojevich scandals and transcripts was the fact that the governor of Illinois and his chief of staff were in discussions to withhold government assistance from the Tribune Co. unless an editor critical of the administration was fired. Few government officials are as cor-rupt as “Hot Rod”, but the opportunity for abuse is readily available.

The situation in Connecticut presents a dangerous precedent. Government involvement in the press is an inherently bad proposition that will take away the ability of newspapers to properly fulfill their role and opens a Pandora’s Box of abuse. Newspapers must adapt and survive without government assistance or else one of the foundations of our free society will crumble.

THE PENNY PRESS,JANUARY 15, 2009 PAGE 4

Neutering The News MediaContinued from page 3

NOTICE OF SALE - 252Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by RideNow Power Sports on Rancho on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 12/13/08 at 10:00 AM, at 3800 N. Rancho Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89130, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001370 03 HOND VTX1300 VIN# 1HFSC52093A000268 R/O: NICOLE L RIGON-JIMINEZ L/O: HOUSEHOLD RET SER IN NOTICE OF SALE - 206Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Expert Auto Center #1 on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 12/13/08 at 10:00 AM, at 6658 Boulder Hwy, Las Vegas, NV 89123, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001371 97 MAZD B2300 VIN# 4F4CR12AXVTM15192 R/O: NANCY LOUISE SCHAFER L/O: FIRST SECURITY BANK NOTICE OF SALE - 119Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Saturn of West Sahara on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 12/13/08 at 10:00 AM, at 5325 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89146, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001372 98 BUIC REGAL VIN# 2G4WB52K9W1449508 R/O: DENNIS EARL WATSON

NOTICE OF SALE - 261Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Thrifty Car Sales on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 12/20/08 at : AM, at 3275 E. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89104, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001373 97 GMC JIMMY VIN# 1GKDT13WXV2506031 R/O: BAJA AUTO SALES L/O: DEWALT ACCEPTANCE INC. O/P: EVERADO G CRUZ O/P: VICKI L OR PHILLIP L FEEDBACK O/P: VICKI L OR PHILLIP L FEEDBACK O/P: DEWALT ACCEPTANCE INC. NOTICE OF SALE - 232Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Sun Auto Service #51 on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 12/20/08 at 10:00 AM, at 7555 W. Washington Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89128, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001374 00 OLDS ALERO VIN# 1G3NK52TXYC342005 R/O: DEBRA LEWIS GILLIAM L/O: CAPITAL ONE AUTO FINANCE O/P: DEBRA L GILLIAM NOTICE OF SALE - 235Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Nevada Transmission & Auto Rpr on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 12/20/08 at 10:00 AM, at 4561 E. Bonanza Rd. #110, Las Vegas, NV 89110, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001375 98 FORD E-SUPER VIN# 1FDXE40F7WHA14012 R/O: K-T SERVICES NOTICE OF SALE - 088Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Decatur Auto Electric on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 12/20/08 at 10:00 AM, at 2695 S. Decatur Bl. #600, Las Vegas, NV 89102, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001376 95 EAGL TALON VIN# 4E3AK44Y1SE098671 R/O: MARIA MAGDALENA C PEYSER O/P: PABLITO RABANAL JR O/P: MARIA MAGDALENA C PEYSER O/P: PABLITO RABANAL JR

NOTICE OF SALE - 004Notice is hereby given that in accordance with NAVADA REVISED STATUTES 108.270 - 108.360, the following vehicles will be sold at an AUCTION by Larry’s Towing on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on Dec 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM, at 6800 W. Gary Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89139 to satisfy liens for towing and storage:Log# 002293 76 CADY SEVILLE VIN# 6S69R6Q505548 R/O: JAMES DAVID MOORE O/P: JAMES MOORELog# 002232 99 FORD ESCORT VIN# 1FAFP13P0XW110354 R/O: LAMMEL ELIZABETH SZEITZLog# 002286 91 GMC SIENNA VIN# 2GTHC39N7M1518658 R/O: THOMAS W SMITH & MARY C PIPPINS L/O: TNH AUTO WRECKING O/P: THOMAS CHARLES SMITHLog# 002290 94 PONT TRANSP VIN# 1GMDU06L7RT242377 R/O: MICHAEL ANTHONY WHITMARSH L/O: NEVADA TITLE LOANS

NOTICE OF SALE - 253Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Raff Mobile Mechanic on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 12/27/08 at 10:00 AM, at 6658 Boulder Hwy, Las Vegas, NV 89123, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:

Log# 001391 97 DODG AVENGER VIN# 4B3AU52N2VE165203 R/O: SHERIE M EVERHART L/O: CHRYSLER FINANCIAL CORP

NOTICE OF SALE - 004Notice is hereby given that in accordance with NAVADA REVISED STATUTES 108.270 - 108.360, the following vehicles will be sold at an AUCTION by Larry’s Towing on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on Jan 03, 2009 at 10:00 AM, at 6800 W. Gary Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89139 to satisfy liens for towing and storage:Log# 002285 97 FORD CONTOUR VIN# 1FALP6536VK151442 R/O: JEFFERY AND MICHELLE DENNIS L/O: FAIRLANE CREDIT O/P: MICHELLE AND JEFFERY DENNIS O/P: JEFFERY OR MICHELLE DENNIS NOTICE OF SALE - 241Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Tee’s Auto Body on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 01/03/09 at 10:00 AM, at 1010 North Stephanie, Henderson, NV, NV 89014, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001377 03 VW BEETLE VIN# 3VWCK21C73M420719 R/O: RENTZ LISA MICHELLE L/O: VOLKSWAGEN CRDT NOTICE OF SALE - 120Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by European Motor Cars Service Cn on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 01/03/09 at 10:00 AM, at 3440 Spring Mountain Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89102, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001378 93 BMW 325I VIN# WBACB4315PFL05579 R/O: GIBILARO FRANKIE GIBSON NOTICE OF SALE - 238Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Universe Custom autobody on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 01/03/09 at 10:00 AM, at 3960 Vanessa Dr., Las Vegas, NV, NV 89103, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001389 96 SUZU 750 VIN# JS1GR7DA9T2101931 R/O: LOTT TERRANCE NOTICE OF SALE - 004Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Larry’s Towing & Transport on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 01/03/09 at 10:00 AM, at 6800 W. Gary Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89139, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001390 91 OLDS CUTLASS VIN# 1G3CW53L1M4322126 R/O: PAXTON CONNIE OR PELT ETTA M NOTICE OF SALE - 259Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Paul’s Auto Service on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 01/03/09 at : AM, at 1754 E. Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to sat-isfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001392 89 CHEV CAPRICE VIN# 1G1BN51E7KR153600 R/O: JAHMAL C GRAVESLog# 001393 00 NISS ALTIMA VIN# 1N4DL01D5YC143794 R/O: MICHELINA SEMPIANA L/O: FIRST SECURITY BANK NA O/P: MICHELINA SEMPIANA NOTICE OF SALE - 120Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by European Motor Cars Service Cn on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 01/03/09 at 10:00 AM, at 3440 Spring Mountain Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89102, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001394 02 JAGU X-TYPE VIN# SAJEA51D82XC52711 R/O: JOAN MARGARET MACLENNAN L/O: NATIONAL AUTO FINANCE COMPANY O/P: JOAN M MACLENNAN NOTICE OF SALE - 262Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Nevada Auto Repair on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 01/03/09 at 10:00 AM, at 3013 N. Rancho, Las Vegas, NV 89130, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001395 96 EAGL TALON VIN# 4E3AL54F7TE364651 R/O: JEFFERY S OR RICHARD F TOMLINSON L/O: U.S. AUTO TITLE LOANLog# 001396 04 OLDS ALERO VIN# 1G3NL12F14C119300 R/O: USAA

NOTICE OF SALE - 082Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Vic’s Auto Repair on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 01/16/09 at 10:00 AM, at 2074 Highland Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89102, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001403 01 TOYO MR2 VIN# JTDFR320110039812 R/O: IV AUTO INC. O/P: ENOMOTO ANTHONY ALAN

END of AD Requests: 1 Locations and 1 Vehicles listed. NOTICE OF SALE - 258Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Eurotech Motoring on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 01/16/09 at 10:00 AM, at 5130 W. Patrick Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89118, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001405 04 LAMO GALLARDO VIN# ZHWGU11S04LA01060 R/O: TIM G EDWARDS L/O: WOODSIDE CREDIT O/P: TIM EDWARDS

END of AD Requests: 1 Locations and 1 Vehicles listed. NOTICE OF SALE - 082Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Vic’s Auto Repair on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 01/16/09 at 10:00 AM, at 2074 Highland Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89102, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001403 01 TOYO MR2 VIN# JTDFR320110039812 R/O: IV AUTO INC. O/P: ENOMOTO ANTHONY ALAN NOTICE OF SALE - 004Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Larry’s Towing & Transport on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 01/16/09 at 10:00 AM, at 6800 W. Gary Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89139, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001404 96 HOND ACCORD VIN# 1HGCD5632TA083981 R/O: ANDREW JAMES HARTMAN O/P: HARTMAN ANDREW JAMES NOTICE OF SALE - 258Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Eurotech Motoring on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 01/16/09 at : AM, at 5130 W. Patrick Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89118, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001405 04 LAMO GALLARDO VIN# ZHWGU11S04LA01060 R/O: TIM G EDWARDS L/O: WOODSIDE CREDIT O/P: TIM EDWARDS

Five PresidentsIt is the wackiest photo-op since

Sarah Palin went herself a-turkey-farming. Three ex-presidents, the current president and the future president all kicking it old school, chilling in the Oval Office talking about what cool carpeting abounds. The five of them together IS a great image. And if Barack Obama is seri-ous about that economic stimulus plan of his, we could raise a ton of money selling poster-sized copies of this gathering for use as a bipartisan dartboard. And George the Younger conveniently positioned himself in the middle to act as a natural bull’s-

eye. What the New York Post dubbed

“Club Prez” was either a power lunch on steroids or the world’s most exclusive fraternity hazing. Can’t you just imagine the elders pulling an Ashton Kutcher and pranking Obama with a dribble glass or faking a Pakistani nuke strike on Kashmir? Nobody knows what subjects were breached, but the general consensus is personal experience was offered up as advice. For instance, the Bush boys and Jimmy Carter might have cautioned against getting stuck in the quicksand of the Middle East, and Bill Clinton probably advocated the installation of an in-house dry-cleaning operation. I’d love to report

the five of them fought like rac-coons, knocking over furniture and bloodily emerging with torn lapels and black eyes, but they all sucked it up and played nice. I’m sure nobody wanted to answer to Laura if any-thing happened to the new china.

The Oval Office bonding picture is destined to become as iconic as that Vegas snapshot of the Rat Pack outside the Sands that people regu-larly Photoshop themselves into. An insertable gap in the photo appears between Clinton and Carter, who reportedly get along like teeth and tinfoil. Something having to do with who deserved the title of “Mister Peace Maker” back in the ‘90s, and who deserved “Mr. Grandstander.” Jimmy Carter (and isn’t he getting a bit long in the tooth to still be called Jimmy?) is starting to exude the smug self-righteousness you nor-mally associate with your priggish Aunt Hoogolah. Starting to look like her too.

As lease-holder of the residence where lunch was held, Dubyah was the very soul of genial host, but does appear to be chomping at the bit to get the hell out of public housing. “I want to thank the President-Elect

for joining the Ex-Presidents for lunch,” forgetting he’s contractually obligated to stick around until Jan. 20. Complaints arose that Obama upstaged the President by addressing the press. But come on, upstaging George Bush? At this point, a No. 2 pencil stuck in a ceiling tile could upstage George Bush.

This is only the second time in recent memory anybody’s seen such a congregation of POTUSes and I doubt the fancy word guys have come up with a plural moniker yet. So here’s our chance for linguistic immortality. There’s the old favor-ites. Assembly. Army. Pride. Quiver. Swarm. Parliament. Clutch. Caucus. Mob. But I’m shooting for something more suitable — like the locusts: a plague. Or maybe the lapwings: a deceit. Stud of mares — yeah, you wish. Closer to a prickle of porcu-pines. Labor of moles. An unkind-ness of ravens. Shiver of sharks. Lamentation of swans. Mutation of thrushes. Nah, none of those work. Gaggle? Giggle? Sludge, flutter, bloat? Jamboree? No. no. no. Wait. I got it. A Port-a-Potty of POTUSes. Unique, alliterative and apt. WILL DURST

THE PENNY PRESS,JANUARY 15, 2009 PAGE 5

Commentary: Will Durst

The Penny Press Tips Its Cap To:

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, who has reported raising more than $160,000 in donations to a fund to pay for his legal defense against felony charges of mishandling state funds. If he can raise that kind of money for this, maybe he CAN run against Harry Reid in 2010.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Hardesty who tried to do the right thing earlier this month when he called all of the supremes behind closed doors and suggested that they not take a pay increase in light of the severe budget crunch facing the state.

The Penny Press Sends A Bronx Cheer And A Bouquet of Weeds To:Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley who told a business group that continu-ing to “cut, cut, cut” the state budget in response to revenue shortfalls will damage Nevada in the long run. So will raising taxes in a recession. And the damage will be a lot worse because it will just kill the biggest job gen-erator in the state, small business.

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting more than a little sick of the far Left and the far Right partisans who sim-ply want to gain a political advantage at the other side’s expense.

I, personally, really don’t care if the ideologues on the right think that Caroline Kennedy isn’t qualified to be a Senator and I really don’t care if the ideologues on the left think that George W. Bush is a dummy.

A long time ago in my career, I came to the conclusion that the vast majority of people who are elected to office run with the best of intentions and do not get up every day and ask themselves what they can do to screw the taxpayers.

There are, of course, exceptions.

While he is entertaining, as an example, the Governor of Illinois is such an exception.

So is the convicted Senior Senator from Alaska.

Ironically, one is a Democrat and one is a Republican, which pretty much proves that corruption is a bipartisan sport.

That said, while I don’t agree with much of the politics of the incoming administration, I do truly believe that they are taking office with the best of intentions, they are as patriotic as their opponents and they love this country as much as anybody.

Barack Obama has actually hewed very close to the prom-ises he made on the campaign trail.

There are Republicans in his new cabinet, he appears—hav-ing hired as his Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, a former member of the Israeli Defense Force—to be prepared to be pro-Israel, he has not taken an isolationist position in the world and he has hired a relative hawk as Secretary of State.

These are not the moves of someone whose intentions are to dismantle the United States or who believes that we are somehow the bad guys.

There are people on the right who are suggesting that some-

how, Obama is the Manchurian Candidate who got elected.

And there are people on the left who are all upset that Obama appears to be be a pretty conventional centrist after all.

I doubt that we are going to agree with or like a lot of Obama’s policies.

But one thing is for sure. We do NOT want him to fail.

He won the election fair and square. That’s how we do things in America. In four years, we get to revisit that deci-sion.

In the meantime, he is the President of the United States of America and we owe the country our respect for the office. He’s not just the President of the Liberals. When Air Force One lands in a foreign land, he represents all Americans and I have to tell you that I would be just as irritated with the Dixie Chicks if they were to say the same thing to a foreign audience about him as they said about President Bush.

I think that most Americans are tired of the incessant bad-mouthing of opponents that goes on every day in Washington.

There was a time when at 5pm, the Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and the Senate sat down, had a drink and worked things out.

You can blame the 24-hour news networks, the constant coverage and the partisan news media if you want for that lack of civility.

But I think the answer is far simpler.

We have politicians who think that we enjoy watching them act like thugs.

The sooner we disabuse them of that notion, the better.

FRED WEINBERG

THE PENNY PRESS,JANUARY 15, 2009 PAGE 6

OPINIONFrom The Publisher...We Do NOT Want President Obama To Fail

THE PENNY PRESS,JANUARY 15, 2009 PAGE 7

Commentary: Doug French

www.choateweinbergreport.com

Banking DemystifiedThose under the delusion that it was an orgy of deregulation and lack

of government oversight in financial markets that has led to the current crash and rash of bank failures and bailouts will be overjoyed to learn that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is doubling its operat-ing budget for 2009 to $2.24 billion and will increase its workforce by 30 percent to 6,269.

The pace of bank busts is quickening, with nearly half of this year’s 25 failures coming in the current quarter. There were only three failures in 2007 as the real estate boom still had fainting signs of life left in it and there were no failures from June 2004 through February 2007 when the boom was in full swing. This boom was driven by huge increases in the money supply created by the Federal Reserve which led to massive mal-investment in: row after row of single family tract homes that were scooped up by pant-ing speculators who financed their punts with cheap no-money down loans, strip malls and suburban office buildings, skyscrapers and casinos the world around.

To the government regulatory world, the banking system was sound while the boom unfolded, but as Murray Rothbard pointed out in his article “The Myth of Free Banking in Scotland” which is included as an appendix in the new addition of The Mystery of Banking, “a dearth of bank failure should rather be treated with suspicion, as witness the drop of bank failures in the United States since the advent of the FDIC.”

As Rothbard points out, the banks may be doing fine when there are no failures, but society is getting the worst of it. “Bank failures are a healthy weapon by which the market keeps bank credit expansion in check; an absence of failure might well mean that that check is doing poorly and that inflation of money and credit is all the more rampant,” Rothbard wrote. “In any case, a lower rate of bank failure can scarcely be accepted as any sort of evidence for the superiority of a banking system.”

With real estate collateral values plunging, credit losses are soaring, dec-imating the capital ratios of banks all over the world. Large banks that are viewed as “systemically important” such as Citicorp are bailed out. Others are kept alive via capital injections from the government’s Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). But many of the small fry are (and will be) seized

by regulators and liquidated. Thus, of the 1,400 new FDIC positions, two-thirds will be working on the “closed bank” side with the other third work-ing on the “open bank” side, according to FDIC spokesman David Barr.

The folks at the FDIC evidently think 2009 will be a banner year for bank failures. And they should. Thus, roughly 400 of the new hires will be doctors doing check-ups on existing banks, while 1,000 will be working in the morgue doing autopsies and disposing of dead banks.

Mr. Barr points out that most of these new positions will be temporary, but H.L. Mencken reminds us “all bureaucracies will bear close watching, and none more so than that which comes into power in a wave of popu-lar enthusiasm, and with the avowed purpose of saving the country from ruin.”

All of this regulating won’t make for sound banking. That’s impos-sible with fiat money, fractional reserves and central banking as Rothbard explains. To put banking back on sound footing, the dollar must be defined by weight in gold, the Fed must be liquidated, banks must have gold equal to 100 percent of demand deposits, the U.S. Mint should be abolished, and the FDIC, instead of bulking up, should be abolished, “so that no govern-ment guarantee can stand behind bank inflation, or prevent the healthy gale of bank runs assuring that banks remain sound and noninflationary.”

Meanwhile, the FDIC Board also announced that the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund decreased by $10.6 billion, or 23.5 percent in the third quar-ter and currently stands at $34.6 billion. That sounds like a lot of money, but it’s less than one percent of the $4.3 trillion in deposits that the FDIC is insuring. But FDIC chair Shelia Bair has no fear: “While we will likely continue to see more bank failures, it is important for the American public to know that the FDIC stands ready to meet our sacred commitment to deposi-tors. It is a golden promise that has been kept for 75 years and one that will not be broken.”

Did she say “golden” promise? Not hardly. “From a money, centuries ago, based solidly on gold as the currency, and where banks were required to redeem their notes and deposits immediately in specie,” Rothbard wrote, “we now have a world of fiat paper moneys cut off from gold and issued by government-privileged Central Banks.”

The FDIC’s golden promise is no substitute for the real thing.

DOUG FRENCH

www.pennypressnv.com

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Commentary: Albert ThomasAnnual Predictions

Every year in the last issue of Forbes, Fortune, Money, Kiplinger and countless other publications the magazine mavens predict the best perform-ers for the coming year.

It is almost a given they are always wrong. During raging bull markets they don’t look so bad, but in sideways and

bear markets they should have stayed in bed. This year’s bear had them hid-ing under their desks.

Fortune in the December 2007 issue had 100 no-load, low-expense ratio mutual funds. Of the 100 their pick for the best 6 were Artisan International (ARTIX), BlackRock Enhanced Income (BRISX), CGM Focus (CGMFX), FBR Small Cap (FBRVX), (Manning and Napier World Opportunities (EXWAX) and Oakmark Select (OAKLX).

These were the crème de la crème yet only the bond fund, BRISX (-14%) outperformed the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index that declined 36%. The experts picked those that were down from 40% to 51%.

Do not allow your broker or financial planner to come up with the sick story that your account beat the S&P by a few points. He might think that is good, but you lost money. He had no plan to protect your savings.

Many people were down 50%. Don’t they realize the account must make 100% just to get back to even? If any broker allows a customer to lose this amount do you think he is smart enough to make 100% to get back to “even”? Las Vegas will take that bet any time.

Brokers and money managers are not taught money management. As a former brokerage company owner I can attest to knowing few brokers

who know how to sell. This is especially true for mutual fund managers. Unfortunately many mutual fund charters require 90% of customers money to be invested at all times. There are many times when the market is going down there not only should be no buying, but the fund manager should be in cash. The customer will not be making money, but more importantly he will not be losing money.

The secret of stock market success is not buying – it is selling. Wall Street does not teach brokers to sell. Any investor who had a mutual fund this past year will corroborate that statement.

Any fool can be a smart (?) broker during a bull market. Few brokers know how to handle customer money during a bear market. It seems the worst of the bear is over, at least temporarily. Those who held their positions this long should probably stay in during this next run up. A broker with a strong technical background should be able to see the next top and have his clients run for cash.

It is extremely doubtful we will see DOW 14,000 again in our lifetime. This cyclical bull move will give an investor a chance to get back about 50% of what has been lost, if that.

Do not rely upon one of the market predictors to find a stock or mutual fund that will get back your losses. Your local fortune teller will do better and SO CAN YOU! AL THOMASYou may receive Al Thomas’ investment letter at no charge for 3 months on the web site www.mutualfundmagic.com Never lose money in the stock market again. His book “IF IT DOESN’T GO UP, DON’T BUY IT!” has become a classic.

We told you in the past how Barefoot Harry had become so green he was entering “cut off your head to spite your face” mode in proposing to shut down industry in Northern Nevada. Well, we were sent an open letter to the mayors of Nevada from Ely Mayor Jon Hickman addressing this matter. I’m passing on this open letter to you so that you can understand the depth of disturbia that has invaded the mind of Barefoot Harry of Searchlight...

Dear Mayors, Whether you’re for or against coal-fired power plants being built in

White Pine and Lincoln counties, you should be aware of what Senator Harry Reid is trying to do to stop them. Senator Reid, who just a few short years ago, was in favor of the coal-fired plant proposals… what changed his mind? There are many theories behind the reasoning of the Senator’s rever-sal of thought on clean coal technology, but that’s an argument for another day. This letter is designed to make you aware of one of Senator Reid’s plans for stopping the power plants in their tracks, and possibly devastate our state’s economy at the same time.

Senator Reid has placed a mandate to the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) to begin a nine month study to turn Great Basin National Park from a class II to a Class I park. You may ask; how will this affect you and your city? The answer is a great deal. First of all, it would end the proposed coal-fired plants in White Pine and Lincoln counties… badly needed, affordable energy for Southern Nevada (Clark County) would be lost, along with jobs and tax dollars to these counties. Now depending on where you stand on this issue that might be a good thing (In full disclo-sure, I’m for the coal-fired plants.), but is turning GBNP into a class I park the answer? Here’s just a few reasons why I say NO! Mining, ranching and farming, and that’s just a start. Draw a 300 kilometer circle around GBNP that includes both Nevada and Utah, now depending on the distance from GBNP in that radius, mining could be shut down forever or find it too costly to stay open when they have to re-permit… for a mine to get a permit near a class I park is very expensive and next to impossible. Mines that would be affected are Robinson, Bald Mountain and Taylor… along with mines in the Elko area and any other mining within the radius.

Ranching and farming would also be affected. Many ranches and farms in Nevada and Utah are barely making ends meet now… if your land falls within 50, 100, 150 miles or so from a class I park, your margin of profit to stay alive just could be in jeopardy. Your grazing rights could be severely limited, if you want to plow new ground, you may have to ask the government for a permit and a costly study on how much dust you might create. More paper work, more Bureaucracy and more money. Something our ranchers and farmers don’t want and don’t need.

At this moment in time, Nevada, along with the United States is in eco-nomic turmoil. Our state needs more tax dollars from free enterprise, jobs, low cost energy and stability. Turning GBNP into a class I park is turning the wrong direction in my opinion. It would not only affect our economy, but our very way of life, our culture and our heritage as Nevadans.

In closing I’d like to add… this letter is not meant to be a slam on Senator Reid, not at all. The Senator has been a part of Nevada politics for more than 25 years, and I for one have always had a great deal of respect for the man and have told him that in person. With that being said, myself and others are having a difficult time understanding the man’s tactics on trying to stop clean coal technology from coming to eastern Nevada, especially when it could be disruptive to our already fragile economy. I once heard it said… you don’t stop a lumberjack from cutting down a few trees in the woods by burning down the forest. This is a serious issue; I sincerely hope you take the time to investigate for yourself just how wrong a class I, Great Basin National Park would be for all of Nevada.

Mayor Jon HickmanEly, Nevada It’s obvious that Barefoot Harry of Searchlight has drunk the Leftist

Kool-aid and has become a card-carrying anti-business Environmentalist.

Things like this are going to make 2010 a very interesting year!This weekend the big Fire and Ice event is taking place at Cave Lake

State Park. The event has been named one of the top 100 events nationwide by the American Bus Association and features some of the most amazing ice sculptures you’ve ever seen. (see http://www.parks.nv.gov/cl.htm for more information) This year’s event also coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Nevada Northern Railway’s Engine 93. (more at http://www.neva-danorthernrailway.net/ ) If you’ve ever wanted to make the trip to Ely, this would be the weekend to do it. Fore more information call Evie Pinneo at the White Pine Chamber of Commerce at 775-289-8877.WYATT COX

THE PENNY PRESS,JANUARY 15, 2009 PAGE 11

Commentary: Wyatt Cox

NOTICE OF SALE

Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legalOwner(s) as well as other financially interested par-ties, the Following vehicles(s) will be sold at an AUCTION byGOODIE’S TOWING on an ‘as-is’ ‘where-is’ basis to theHighest bidder on December 31 at 10am at location350 E. Basic RD suite #14 Henderson NV 89015, wherebythe advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy

Lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:

BARBARA MEAGHER 90 TOYOTA CAMRY #JT2SV21E8L3428832

TIMOTHY SCHIRO&TRIAD FINANCIAL 95 MERC TRACER #3MASM10J7SR661281

AMY TROTTA, DAVID TROTTA JR.&NUVELL CREDIT COMPANY LLC.06 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER #1GNDT13SX62289159

NOTICE OF SALE - 004Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by Larry’s Towing & Transport on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 01/10/09 at 10:00 AM, at 6800 W. Gary Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89139, whereby the advertiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001397 93 HOND UCC VIN# 2HGEH2357PH540891 R/O: MOLLY MICHELLE GRAHAM O/P: TIMOTHY M MORIN O/P: MOLLY MICHELLE GRAHAM O/P: TIMOTHY M MORINLog# 001398 98 OLDS INTRIGUE VIN# 1G3WS52K5WF344090 R/O: ROGER AND KYUNG WOHLNER NOTICE OF SALE - 006Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by PRIMO’S AUTO REPAIR on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 01/10/09 at 10:00 AM, at 4440 S Arville, LAS VEGAS, NV 89109, whereby the adver-tiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001400 91 GMC SONOMA VIN# 1GTCS14Z4M8548712 R/O: PATRICK D HIBBARD L/O: DESERT AUTO FUNDING INC. O/P: PATRICK D HIBBARD NOTICE OF SALE - 046Notice is hereby given to the last registered and legal owner(s) as well as other financially interested parties, the following vehicle(s) will be sold at an AUCTION by RDS CYCLES on an ‘as-is,’ ‘where-is’ basis to the highest bidder on 01/10/09 at 10:00 AM, at 1155 OVERTURE DR., Las Vegas, NV 89123, whereby the adver-tiser reserves the right to bid, in order to satisfy lien(s) for towing, storage, add-ons, vehicle supplies, and/or mechanical repairs performed:Log# 001401 06 YAMA MC VIN# LPRSE13Y96A356316 R/O: TENORIO CHRISTIAN D L/O: G E MONEY BK

The Problem With Change

Change is always tough. Even for those who see themselves as agents of change, the process of starting a new thing can cause times of disori-entation, uncertainty and insecurity. But the real problem comes when you try to change those things about yourself that you can’t change on your own, which only produces frus-tration and feelings of failure.

To solve the “change prob-lem,” you have to come to a place where you understand the differ-ence between those things you can change and those things you can’t. You see, there are some things only God can change. And without Him and His help, you’ll never be fully transformed into the person you want to be.

I spent years trying to change things about myself that really only God could change. I tried to change my husband, my children, my neigh-bor, myself and my circumstances. And no matter how hard I tried, I kept failing. But no matter how many times I failed, I always had a new project I was “working” on. I would say I was trusting God, but the truth was, I trusted myself more. Does that sound familiar?

Instead of “working on people,” we should pray for them to be open to change and allow God to work in their lives. We need to do this with a lot of humility, keeping in mind that we have faults of our own that need to be adjusted. God’s ways and His timing are not the same as our own. We may grow weary of waiting for God to “do something.” That’s when we usually try to take matters into our own hands. But guess what? It doesn’t cause God to get upset or hurry and do what we want Him to do. It can actually end up making our wait longer and more frustrating.

Life is much simpler once we

understand the importance of realiz-ing there are things we simply have no power to change. When you are able to let go and let God be God, you’ll find your life becoming much less stressful. You don’t have to be a superhero. Give yourself permission to be who you are—an imperfect human being who needs help!

Simplifying a complicated life can only happen as a result of mak-ing positive changes, so you must begin to change those things that you can. Some people say they hate change, when really, they love the results of change—they just don’t like the process of changing.

When things change, it’s easy to feel disoriented for a period of time. We are not what we used to be and

we are not sure yet what we will be. Anytime we step out boldly to make changes, we take a chance that we might fail. But the only way to get better is to try.

Have you thought about chang-ing something about your life for a long time and yet you’ve never actu-ally taken steps to do it? Good inten-tions never change anything. They only become a deeper and deeper rut. God looks for those brave-heart-ed souls who hear His voice and are bold enough to act accordingly.

The only way you will ever discover what you can have is by giving up what you currently have. Increase always demands invest-ment. I remember when I had to leave a secure job at a church in

order to start my own ministry. It was a frightening and lonely time for me, but deep down inside I knew it was a change I needed to make. I had to let go of those things I was holding on to, but I ended up with much more than I gave up.

Regularly making necessary changes will help keep your life simple. As you prune (cut) things off that need to go, you de-clutter your life and make room for the fresh and new. JOYCE MEYERFor more on this topic, you may order Joyce’s new book “100 Ways to Simplify Your Life” by calling 1-800-727-9673 or visiting www.joycemeyer.org.

THE PENNY PRESS,JANUARY 15, 2009 PAGE 12

Commentary: Joyce Meyer

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Pet Of The WeekAdopt This Pet !

We don’t have much information on this guy becuase he was a sad, true statistic. He was a homeless pet that would have needlessly been euthanized if he hadn’t found his way to us.

He is a shepherd mix with his shots current and neutered. He is handsome, vigourous and willing to please. He needs a home where he will receive plenty of exercise because he is a tad, maybe two tads overweight.

With your love and and a littel bit of time, we feel you will have a devoted friend for life.

CHUBCall

702-361-2484

THE PENNY PRESS,JANUARY 15, 2009 PAGE 16