You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
At Least We Tried<br />
By: Dan Roberts / Roberts Rules<br />
“<br />
Where’s the Democrats?” That<br />
question was raised a few times at<br />
our political forum last month at Sun<br />
City MacDonald Ranch.<br />
When The <strong>Vegas</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> proposed doing a political forum,<br />
our ONLY goal was to bring the candidates and issues to our<br />
readers. Believe me, it wasn’t a money-making venture (just<br />
the opposite) but we believed that as “the senior publication”,<br />
we had an obligation to offer readers the opportunity to “see<br />
& hear” our potential public officials.<br />
My <strong>Vegas</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> partner Ray Sarbacker and I met with<br />
Democratic congressional candidate Susie Lee in August. At that time,<br />
she unconditionally offered to debate her opponent, Republican Danny<br />
Tarkanian “any time, any place.”<br />
With that assurance, I contacted our political columnists (Democrat)<br />
Howard Beckerman and (Republican) Victoria Seaman and we put<br />
together the forum at Sun City MacDonald Ranch. The forum was to<br />
be different than a rowdy town hall meeting or name-calling political<br />
debate. It was going to be a “grown-up”, mature and civil discussion.<br />
All questions had to be approved by our political columnists (as well<br />
as I) and there would be absolutely no “gotcha” questions nor personal<br />
attacks. The goal was to get the candidate’s positions on the issues.<br />
If you agree with what he/she said, vote for him/her. If you did not,<br />
no problem, vote for the other guy.<br />
Can you therefore understand my bewilderment and subsequent<br />
anger and resentment when I was informed by Ms. Lee’s campaign<br />
manager that his client would only appear if our Republican moderator<br />
Victoria Seaman was replaced?<br />
Keep in mind that Victoria would only say “hello” to Lee. She would<br />
not ask this candidate any questions nor would Victoria get to “pick”<br />
the questions.<br />
The idea of dictating to The <strong>Vegas</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> that its own columnist could<br />
not be on stage was simply insulting and we refused such demand. The<br />
Publisher Dan, <strong>Vegas</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> president Ray and<br />
candidate Susie Lee<br />
campaign manager thereafter cancelled Susie Lee’s appearance and in<br />
collaboration with the State Democratic Chairman had ALL Democrats<br />
decline our invitation.<br />
To add insult to injury I was told by our Democratic columnist that if<br />
I published these facts, The <strong>Vegas</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> can forget about any Democratic<br />
advertising and should not expect any “welcome” when my Rana and<br />
I travel to Carson City next year to lobby for senior concerns (like our<br />
Death with Dignity legislation or our opposition to your property taxes<br />
rising).<br />
Unfortunately, this is how our political system now operates.<br />
In all candor, assuming the Democrats follow through on its promise<br />
(or threat) it will make my life a lot easier to resist my Ladylove’s<br />
Don(na) Quixote quest for seeking senior justice by attending the<br />
upcoming Nevada Legislature. But, of course there’s a bigger issue here<br />
– starting with their failure to engage in meetings/conversations with<br />
the senior community.<br />
And most importantly, for this publisher (and everyone at The <strong>Vegas</strong><br />
<strong>Voice</strong>) we can look into the mirror, say we tried our best, and never be<br />
accused of lying to our readers.<br />
What a Baby!<br />
Publisher Dan receiving his flu shot at The <strong>Vegas</strong> <strong>Voice</strong> Senior<br />
Safety Event last month. Did you get your flu vaccine yet? Now’s<br />
the time.<br />
5
Change language