What about the deficit, Medicare, other big issues?

We love the State of the Union address (it doesn't matter which one, pick any president) ... "Blah, blah, blah, motherhood, blah, blah, apple pie, blah, blah, God Bless America, blah, blah, everything is wonderful, etc. blah, blah ... "

Now ... we can understand why no pullout date is being given for Iraq ... that's hard to ascertain by the Republicans or the Democrats ... but, how come nothing was said about the deficit? or the Medicare snafu? or illegal immigration? or the foundering of relief to the Gulf Coast? What we did find out was that the tax cuts should be permanent, that we will tighten our belts by cutting Medicare, Medicaid, and student loans, and that another $100 billion (thus totaling $400 billion) will be needed for "Iraqi freedom" ($100 B is equal to what we've spent for the victims of Hurricane's Katrina and Rita), that our great-grandchildren will be paying off the national debt (come to think about it, those latter two weren't mentioned ... oh well), and so forth. Is it any wonder we're blasè. Too bad ... these are serious subjects for serious times ...

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Good news for parents ... next Tuesday (Valentine's Day), the Children's Museum will be hosting a Valentine's Kid Camp from 3:30 - 9:30 p.m., so that parents may have an evening out without worrying about a baby-sitter. They only have room for about 100 kids, so call them soon (884-2226) and get the details ... a great "valentine" for all ...

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The Righteous One's Motorcycle Club hosted a benefit at T's Tavern on Saturday and cleared over $4,000 for the children who were so abused here in Carson City. A great thing for them to do ... many thanks. And kudos to the city and the sheriff for recognizing Ms. Koerner for having the good sense to call them "when something didn't seem just right," and probably saving their lives ... she deserves the credit ... again, thank you ...

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DeeAnn Parsons tells us about a professor at Duke University who was told by four sophomores that they were unable to take a final test because their car had a flat tire and they couldn't make it to class (in reality, they had partied the day before and were "under the weather") ... he agreed to give them the test the next day, so when they arrived, they were placed in separate rooms and given the test.

The first question (worth five points) was a breeze for each one of them, and they each thought this was going to be an easy A ... however, they turned the page and found only one question worth 95 points ... "Which tire?" Now that guy deserves tenure ...

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Good people: Coach Jeff Rispin, CHS freshman girl's basketball coach, who plays his whole team in every game ... Kevin, at the Sage Cafe, at the new Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, for helping out addled customers so pleasantly ... Bob Ouellette at the Carson Barbershop, 1507 N. Carson St., for keeping some of his "old" customers looking sharp ... belated Happy Birthday's to Ev Jesse and Quinn Jenkins ... and the nice lady who called Maizie and said she was naming her dog after her ... M is honored ...

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Poker's a sport? (Don't bother answering ... it's a rhetorical question)

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Headline in the Nevada Appeal ... "Biggest Loser auditions canceled due to crowds" ... the story went on to say the crowd was turned away from the NBC hit, "The Biggest Loser," because the venue couldn't handle the immense crowd. Grooooooan ...

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We totally agree with Reno Gazette-Journal sportswriter Joe Santoro about not having any Nevada athletes in Nevada's new recruiting "class" for football next year (he wondered, "What tha ... ?"). We'd like to think it was because no Nevada athlete wanted to go there, rather than they weren't good enough for the coaching staff ... HA!

Doesn't Coach Ault think we'd like to see someone like Brian Maffei running for touchdowns, instead of some CA junior college transfer? And I don't think we're the only ones ...

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The Warm Springs Correctional Center in Carson City will have 13 horses up for adoption at 9 a.m. on Saturday (call 861-6469 or 881-2288 for information and details) ... all the horses have been saddle-trained by the inmates and need a good home ... it's a great program ...

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Woody Sharpe tells us about the four churches in Texas that were overrun with pesky squirrels.

"Each of the churches called a meeting to see how to get rid of them. The Presbyterian Church decided, after much prayer, that the squirrels were predestined to be there and they shouldn't interfere with God's will ... The Methodist Church's squirrels had taken up residence in the baptistery bowl, so the deacons decided to cover it up, but the squirrels escaped, and there were twice as many the next week. The Catholics decided they were not in a position to harm any of God's creatures, so they humanely trapped them, released them a few miles from town ... but, three days later they were back. The Baptist Church, however, came up with the best solution ... they baptized the squirrels and registered them as members of the church. Now they only see them on Christmas and Easter ... "

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Asystole and Consender, played their concert at the Brewery Arts Center Friday night to a sold-out crowd ... the adults went deaf ... the kids enjoyed it, and a good time was had by all ... we were soooooo sorry we couldn't make it ...

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A reminder to his friends ... the Lonepine Lawman, aka Ron McKimmey, will be memorialized at the Nevada State Railroad Museum on Friday at 1 p.m. ... his family and friends would be happy to see you (and railroad and western wear are appropriate) ...

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We end this week with the immortal words of "Maxine" ... "I will defend to your death my right to my opinion." Right on, gal ...

n Carolyn DeMar and Maizie Harris Jesse are longtime Carson City residents. Write to them at editor@nevadaappeal.com.