by Joan Galt
Sen. Ensign the Swinger
A group of Sparks labor leaders recently hit Washington, D.C., and made the usual appointments with the usual suspects. The only lawmaker who refused to meet with his constituents was Republican Sen. John Ensign. An insider had tipped my friends that Ensign loves to do two things on the job: Play hooky from work and play lots of golf.
That intelligence proved useful when the union guys crashed his office. The Nevadans informed the surprised reception staff that they would not leave until they had spoken with the senator or his representative. Failing that, they would inform the receptionist as to their reasons for wanting to see their senator.
Shortly, two fresh-faced young men arrived who at best could only manage a series of "uh huh, uh huhs" to the pointed questions posed by the experienced labor executives. The union guys offered to talk in a conference room, but were curtly informed that the very public reception area would have to suffice, which was just fine by the Nevadans.
After 15 minutes or so of turning these kids every which way but loose, the union men got up to leave.
"I only have one more question and it won't take any time at all. Just a simple yes or no answer," said one longtime Sparksite. "Is Sen. Ensign out playing golf right now?"
One staffer turned whiter than the day he was born. The other young man dislocated his jaw as it hit the floor.
After an embarrassed silence, one could only manage to sheepishly whimper, "I work very hard at my job every day."
Fore!
The Road to Heller
The union guys did get an appointment with Republican northern Nevada Congresscritter Dean Heller, who shoveled them seriously. Among other things, Heller asserted that he had been in favor of worker rights before he was against them.
After just a few minutes, the sophomore congressman excused himself. He said that he had a very important meeting to attend but that his post-pubescent employees would stay to discuss matters further.
Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh.
The meeting started at noon and the Nevadans were on their way 20 minutes later. Since their next appointment was two hours off, the labor leaders took time for lunch, finding a small cafeteria in the basement of the congressional office building — whereupon they beheld Rep. Heller conducting his important meeting with a baloney sandwich.
He did not invite his constituents to join him.
Y'all want fries with that?
Impalining Yourself
I can't do any more damage to Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Deep Freeze, than she's done to herself. Her latest dustup with late-night comedian David Letterman represents merely the latest evidence that right-wing moonhowlers just don't get it. If stem-cell therapy is ever developed to treat those born without a sense of humor gene, they should line up in droves.
Gleeful Republicans have been circulating a photo montage showing President Obama making a speech in front of a burning bank and a wrecked car labeled "General Motors."
The president's word balloon says "You know what would fix this economy? Health care reform!"
The lame attempt at satire inadvertently stumbled upon the truth. Universal health care is the major component of fixing the economy. Health care costs are the principal cause of individual bankruptcy.
The president's desire to bring all parties to the table has let profitmongering foxes into the chicken coop. Like all pols, Obama must be pressured into holding out for an affordable option covering everyone. Right now, he's pinning his hopes on establishing a government plan to compete with private insurers. There can be no compromise with the bandidos.
Alas and alack, the president is showing too many signs of appeasement. I strongly recommend that you read Kevin Baker's dark forecasts in the June and July editions of Harper's Magazine. The latter also has a killer piece entitled, "Labor's Last Stand: The Corporate Campaign to Kill the Employee Free Choice Act." I further suggest that you go to Barbwire.TV to view my April 21 TV show which treats that issue in depth.
Requiescat In Pace
Got an e-mail from an anti-abortion activist justifying the murder of Dr. George Tiller in a Kansas Lutheran church. There is no reasoning with people of simple capacity with little ability for abstraction or reason.
I don't think she could even fathom my brief response: Thou Shalt Not Kill.
Peace Be Upon You
This afternoon from 2:45 to 5:30 p.m., local peace activists will host a fundraiser at the West Street Market, half a block north of the Truckee River. Suggested donation is an exorbitant five bucks and there will be (gasp!) gambling in the form of raffles.
Performers include the Celtic music of the Sturdy Beggars from 3 to 3:40 p.m., rock and folk by Chris Wood from 3:45 to 4:15 p.m., acoustic and folk by Kim Elise from 4:20 to 4:50 p.m., and Lee Dazey from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Bernie the Puppeteer will have a family-friendly show outside. I've seen all of the above perform and they are world-class entertainers.
Funds will support the United Nations International Day of Peace Fair, scheduled for Wingfield Park on Sept. 20. For more info, call Lisa Stiller at 232-2823.
Just across the street next Sunday, you can say goodbye to one of the region's foremost peace activists, Rev. John Auer.
His parishioners are throwing a going-away party beginning immediately after the 10 a.m. service on Fathers' Day, June 21. They are collecting donations to give the reverend and his wife, Julie, a proper sendoff into retirement. You may send a check payable to First United Methodist Church, 209 W. First St., Reno, NV 89501. For more information, call Noel Argall at 322-4564 or e-mail renofirst@gbis.com. The church validates parking at the First and Sierra garage. Everyone is invited.
Be well. Raise hell.
Andrew Barbano is a 40-year Nevadan, second vice-president of the Reno-Sparks NAACP and editor of NevadaLabor.com. Reruns of his legislative session TV programs are cablecast Monday through Friday, 2 to 4 p.m. on Reno-Sparks-Washoe Charter digital channels 16 and 216 and high-definition channel 80-295, available on demand at Barbwire.TV. Check local listings for other northern Nevada cable systems. E-mail barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us. Barbwire by Barbano has originated in the Tribune since 1988.
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