Kate Silver's August 26 story about the makers of Brawling Bag Ladies—the latest entry in the Bumfights genre of videos making fun of the economically disadvantaged—elicited this reader response:
There are very few people in this world that are genuinely evil, but this Mark Parillo certainly fits the bill, and that includes the scum working for his company and shooting these videos. They are all the lowest degree of filth to ever disgrace our society or even humanity as a whole. Have we sunk to such a level as to degrade and humiliate the homeless for entertainment and/or sport? What the hell have we come to? Are rich assholes really that bored?
Homeless people at one time in their lives were kids with hopes and dreams, with some family that I'm sure loved them very much. They were someone's son or daughter, they were someone's brother or sister. They are human beings, which is more than I can say for the sick sons of bitches that actually get off on shooting and watching these wanton acts of cruelty. How would you feel if you found out someone you loved was being exploited in such a twisted and inhumane manner? Perhaps Mark Parillo or his crew might enjoy having a string of lit firecrackers tied around their necks or testicles. How'd that be, huh? I think that's what people want to see. Justice served. We could call it Sick Rich F--ks Get Theirs.
Now you've done it. Made the political world disappear. This week's issue, the last one before America goes to vote, is totally void of advertising from any of the hundreds of candidates (maybe LVW doesn't take such tainted commercial messages, or maybe onetime advertising is outranked by ongoing escort offerings). Perhaps the Pimp 'N Ho party is of more public interest than elections 2004?
If you are not going to tell us readers how to vote, why not make a pitch for NONE OF THE ABOVE, a choice you might find to be preferable to the wannabes on the ballot, or better yet, crusade for a write-in candidate for all major offices, maybe Robin Williams for President.
With all the political views we have gotten from the LVW over the past year, when it comes to nitty-gritty time, the Weekly is missing-in-action. For shame. I say bring back your opinions on who should lead us into the future, or perhaps astray; you might support someone who has an indictment in their future; that seems to be the new public perception of politics, and the public is always right!
Here are some questions you should ask yourself before you vote this November. Why was Ralph Nader not included in the presidential election debates in 2000, and why won't he be included in 2004? I'm sure Tom Brokaw could come up with a question or two for Mr. Nader. Do you trust the people that want to dispose of radioactive waste in Yucca Mountain? Didn't they once tell us that atmospheric testing of nuclear bombs north of Las Vegas was safe? Why is the Democratic Party of Nevada petitioning the courts to remove Ralph Nader from the ballot this November? Aren't our young men and women in Iraq dying for free elections there? Why is Britney Spears allowed to get married in Las Vegas for less than two days, but same sex couples are not allowed to get married here? Do we not have enough chapels? Why do we incarcerate nonviolent drug addicts? We don't incarcerate nonviolent alcohol and nicotine addicts. Why are industries in the United States allowed to import industrial hemp to manufacture products, but we are not allowed to grow the hemp plant in this country? Why is it that the majority of U.S. citizens can rattle off endless names of sports teams, sports players, athletic endorsements, sports statistics, wins-losses ratios, game rules, player trades, etc., and yet this same majority would be hard pressed to tell you the voting record of their elected official, not to mention the "name" of their congressman? Do you think Kerry and Bush work to help you or corporations? Do you think a President Nader would pass legislation and start initiatives to benefit you or some CEO? I know what my answers to these questions are. What are yours?
Well, once again, KLAS Channel 8 decided to hold Jerry's kids hostage again by showing the Monday portion of the telethon to its cable viewers only. They decide every year that the poor and elderly people of Las Vegas should watch tennis instead of showing the telethon to every person they possibly could. Seeing how the telethon only happens once a year, they seem to feel it's not that important to show everyone. Channel 8 answers, We have "contractual agreements."
It's unfortunate that Channel 8 only gives 90 percent to the kids and chooses not to turn it over to a station that is 100 percent committed to Jerry's Kids. Oh, well, that's Channel 8, caring for the community ... the cable community, that is. I guess in their world, if you can't afford cable, you can't give much, therefore you can't watch. Thanks, Channel 8, job well done.
This arrived in response to last week's As We See It piece by Nick Christensen, cautioning against capping residential property taxes:
I think there's a larger problem afoot than the residential tax rate. That problem is unbridled growth in an area that doesn't have the natural resources to support that growth. We are living in a desert, yet developers continue to build without any concern for our dwindling water supply. Band-Aid measures are being considered, like drilling wells in the north, but what happens when even these measures are overwhelmed by excessive growth? It will happen unless some kind of control is put on growth and development.
I realize that our economy depends on a vital workforce, but if there's no water to support that workforce, it will wither away. Once that happens, people will move away, in droves, and there won't be a property tax problem because all property will end up being worthless. So, instead of worrying about property taxes, the main concern should be excessive growth. If there is no housing for the countless numbers moving here each month, they'll go elsewhere or even return to where they came from.
This may sound elitist, but I dislike Californians coming here and then trying to impose the same "controls" that have made a mess of their state. Call me an isolationist if you will, but Nevada is a great state with a lot of potential. Let's develop that potential at a rate that won't bankrupt our natural resources.
Thanks for putting that amazing nurse, Krystal Hall, on your cover this week (September 2).
Never have I wanted to be more sick in my life, and, of course, be sent to her ward of the hospital.
I noticed this amazingly attractive girl in white from the cover of Las Vegas Weekly.
Being in Australia, I can't really pick up a copy of this but I'm curious if you know where a high resolution version of the picture could be found? (Please?)
Thanks for your time.
Just wanted to let you know that I too love your photos and your Photoshop work. I've noticed that you occasionally use the same models over again.
With that in mind, I want to beg you not to use this cover girl again. Once is enough. Now, the girl in the ad for Fornarina (on page 20) would make a knockout model for a cover—if you could get her.