Where have all the leaders gone?

National and State news are "taking the cake" this week ... the Texas "Stepford Wives" are "sweetly" speaking out about the raid on the fundamentalist compound. So, where are the HUSBANDS? Where are the MEN involved? Seems to us that they are the ones who should be out in front bearing the brunt of the criticism and the law, instead of the brainwashed women.

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The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled that taxes need not be paid by the Sparks Nugget on "comped" meals, and now every hotel/casino wants a rebate. Sorry, Supremes ... you're "out to lunch" on this one. The hotel/casinos CHOOSE to comp meals. They're not forced to, so why should they get a break on taxes? We have to pay taxes on our food when we eat out ... want's the dif? Let them eat cake.

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Pope Benedict XVI came to our country last week and was given a wonderful reception. He greeted everyone in English (and Spanish for a brief time), and was received with prayers and cheers. Made us wonder how GWB would do going to Italy and the Vatican. Speak Italian? Stop laughing. Your guts will burst.

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After almost two years of political wrangling, the candidates are no closer to making us believe they can cure the ills of this country than they were when they started. In debates they talk about niggling things, and NOT about what they can do FOR us regarding the war, the economy (gas prices and the ethanol scam; food prices; etc.), immigration, education, housing, Medicare, Social Security, crime, infrastructure, you name it. They're more intent on character assassination than on concrete fixes. When are we going to get smart and DEMAND more from them? And, if you agree with this, you'd be wise to get Lee Iacocca's new book, "Where Have All The Leaders Gone," that addresses this very question. Wake Up, America.

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Sam Shad, on Channel 4's "Nevada Newsmakers" had it right last week when he said, "You can either raise taxes, or cut services. You can't have it both ways." Read that over and over again, and commit it to memory. Thanks, Sam, for the reminder.

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A company in Salt Lake City, EnergySystems, Inc., is greasing the palms of "important" politicians in Washington, to bring 20,000 tons of nuclear waste from Italy to their dump in western Utah. So why don't we build a wall between Nevada and Utah and take all the nuclear waste there. Or, better yet, tell Italy to get their own dump and we will export our junk to them.

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Tracy Moore tells this one on herself. Seems her mother, Cathy Moore, was in the hospital recently, and Tracy's son, Holden, was very worried about his grandmother (she's home and doing better as we speak). One of his little friends told him he should "pray to Jesus Christ" to help her get better. He went to his mother and asked if it was OK to do that. Tracy asked him "why not?" "Because, when you say 'Jesus Christ' you're always mad." Out of the mouths of babes. She says she will be watching out how she "prays" in the future.

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A most happy birthday to Kylie Schmid; and a belated one to Emory Crews (who's older than dirt right now ... tee hee). By the way, if you see a bear in town, call 688-BEAR ... if he's coming into your house, call 911. And don't forget the benefit at Sharkey's this Friday night for Stella Baldauskas, who broke her back recently; 6:30 p.m. dinner and dancing (call Debbie at 265-2315 for details). It will be fun. And it was nice to see Eileen Hanna at the bank the other day, with her brand new 2-month old son ... sooooo cute.

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Russ Law wants to know if Russell J. Larson, once of Logan, Utah, knew that his tombstone won the "coolest headstone" contest? It says (and we quote), "Two things I love most. Good Horses and Beautiful Women. And when I die I hope they tan this old hide of mine and make it into a ladies riding saddle, so I can rest in peace between the two things I love most."

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The Villa Basque Deli (on N. Roop St. and Basque Way) is celebrating its 10th year in business in Carson City by featuring $5.99 breakfasts and $6.99 lunches Monday through Thursdays for a month. Congratulations. Nice people and good food.

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Ron Saunders reports that "after digging a 10 foot hole in New York, scientists found traces of copper wire ... concluding that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago. Not to be outdone, scientists in California dug a 20 foot hole, found some copper wire and concluded the state had a communications network a hundred years earlier than New York. One week later, a local South Dakota newspaper reported that a self-taught archeologist, LeRoy Schmelfinig, dug a 30 foot hole in a wheat field and found absolutely nothing ... concluding that 300 years ago, South Dakota had gone wireless."

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Our deepest sympathies go out to Bette Denning and family, on the death of her husband, Jack. He was a great guy. And, also to our friends in Leavenworth, Kans., Ruth and Ken Fraser, on the death of their son, Ken, Jr., who was killed when a car hit him head-on in his lane in Texas. What a tragedy for all. We are so sorry.

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Don't forget to nominate someone for the Community Awards coming up in June. You may know of someone who excels in what they do and should be recognized. Watch for details coming up in the Appeal. It's always a fun time at the luncheon, and says "thank you" to all the people who do so much good, but are many times overlooked.

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Finally, Carla Wilson tells us this one: "A plane taxied into takeoff position, when it suddenly turned around and returned to the loading dock. The maintenance people and the air crew conferred, and again the plane was put back in line and took off. The flight attendant was asked what happened and related that the pilot thought something was wrong with one of the engines. One of the passengers said, 'It certainly didn't take long to fix it.' 'Oh, it wasn't fixed,' said the attendant. 'We just changed pilots.'" Parachute anyone?

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