Last Saturday, a guest commentary appeared over Donald Trump’s name in the Reno Kazoo-Journal.
“We need president who obeys law,” blared the headline as Trump pandered to the Cliven Bundy wing of the moonhowler party, demanding release of public land to local control.
Bad, bad, bad idea, as former Tribunite Dennis Myers has pointed out: “Nevada received 3,992,000 acres of public land from the federal government in 1864 to be used for schools, and only 2,914 acres of those lands still remain in state hands, much of it lost in illegal or fraudulent land actions.” (Reno News & Review 11-5-2015, 7-18-2013)
Revenue from the remaining sliver has been about $19,000 per year.
In the 1999 Nevada legislative session, I supported Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, in his attempt to reign in casino control over Nevada public officials. He proposed banning industry political contributions, as does New Jersey.
I learned that the New Jersey law was easy to dodge. For instance, casino owner Trump’s advertising agency became a very consistent contributor to Garden State political campaigns.
Trump the Pharisee, keeping to the letter but certainly not the spirit of the law.
He recently provided more evidence that he needs to brush up on his Bible reading.
JOKE AT THE UNION HALL: “These 2 Corinthians walk into a bar…”
HIGHTOWER IN SPARKS. Former two-term (1983-1991) Texas Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower met with union and community leaders at the Sparks Labor Temple last Saturday. He was on his way to keynote a dinner for the Nevada Rural Democratic Caucus in Douglas County.
Hightower was defeated for re-election by former Democrat Rick Perry, who went on to become Republican governor and presidential candidate. No Democrat has won statewide office in Tejano Land since 1994.
Hightower became a best-selling author, newsletter publisher, syndicated columnist and talk radio host. He is every bit as liberal as Bernie Sanders and supports Sanders’ presidential bid.
“(With) Bernie taking on issues of wealth and inequality…we have a 1776 moment,” he said, adding that some hedge fund bosses “are so rich they can afford air conditioning in hell.”
Criticizing Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex., who erroneously stated “the overwhelming majority of violent criminals are Democrats,” Hightower mused “a hundred thousand sperm and you were the fastest?”
Regarding Nevada corporate welfare: “Republicans in Texas are pissed off that y’all offered more to Tesla than they did.”
Hightower’s call to action is simple: “Wearing a button is not enough…Trump is a false god…Bernie channels real anger.”
Can Sanders survive billions in super-pac attacks?
“Bernie has authenticity,” the diminutive cowboy said.
How can he combat the socialist label?
“Franklin Roosevelt,” Hightower responded.
I asked him what message he would leave with rural Democrats to relate to their moonhowler majorities.
“Don’t talk to moonhowlers. Talk to reasonable people, neighbor to neighbor. Find common ground,” Hightower advised.
With that, the plain-spoken sage of the common man headed south toward Carson Valley where they shoot Democrats on sight.
Be well. Raise hell. Esté bien. Haga infierno.
Andrew Barbano is a 47-year Nevadan and editor of NevadaLabor.com. E-mail <barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us> Barbwire by Barbano has originated in the Tribune since 1988.
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