Preparing
For A Long Protracted War
(January 22nd, 2009)
Over forty of Laughlin’s dedicated citizens made the trip to speak to the Clark County Board of Commissioners this last Tuesday. We made this town’s opinions heard in a dignified but firm manner. But the reaction of Commissioner Steve Sisolak afterwards made it clear that he will not budge in his dictatorial abolition of our voting rights. He has already tried to co-opt some citizens to give the impression that some compromise offering us second class citizenship would be magnanimous. Rosa Parks wouldn’t accept that and neither should we.
The 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott was triggered by the racist arrest of Rosa Parks. In the course of trying to negotiate an end to the boycott which was financially crippling the city bus system, the Montgomery City Commission, which was all white and racist, under the leadership of Mayor W. A. ("Tacky") Gayle, offered a compromise: black riders would be offered "partial courtesy."
Change the Montgomery City Commission to the Clark County Board of Commissioners, Mayor Gayle to Commissioner Steve Sisolak and all white and racist to all Democrats and dictatorial and you have the current situation in Laughlin. As history showed, basic decency and civil rights won the day and in large part it was because the boycotters would not compromise with their dignity.
If a burglar breaks into my home and steals everything in my house, the police aren’t going to let him say, “let’s compromise, I’ll give Jordan back a few of his things and I get to keep the rest”. The legal power to appoint the Laughlin Town Advisory Board belongs to the Board of Commissioners but the votes of the Laughlin Straw Poll belong to us, not to Steve Sisolak.
This township must not and will not accept any insulting offer of compromise from Steve Sisolak. Novelt Mack set the standard of political morality when he refused to be a collaborator as did many longtime dedicated volunteers who resigned their committee assignments. I call on James Vincent to realize that he has made an unfortunate choice to collaborate with the Occupation and resign his seat as well.
Throwing us one or two seats is not acceptable. Offering to “review” the current board in six to twelve months is not acceptable. We will accept nothing less than the five legitimate winners of the poll being seated.
In the coming days I will call on citizens to sign a petition demanding the legitimate board be restored.
We welcome the public’s feedback. Please send your Letters To The Editor to editor@laughlinherald.com
