Brian Greenspun

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Rob Lang, impact player of the decade: Sunday, June 27, 2021; This past week, Rob Lang passed away far too early, after a lengthy battle with an illness that kept sapping his strength but never his determination and his will — right to the end. Beyond his immediate world and those with whom he dealt over the past decade in Nevada, he was not well known.
Israel provides light in the darkness of American politics: Sunday, June 13, 2021; From generation to generation. So teaches the Good Book. With that biblical admonition always in my head, I gave my two brilliant grandchildren a homework assignment the other night. Yes, I know school is out for the summer, but not for them!
What the hell’s wrong with us?: Sunday, May 30, 2021; We will never be safe until people wake up and accept the fact that a person’s politics and beliefs will not stop a bullet — just like we can’t stop COVID-19 based on party affiliation.
The time for peace keeps ticking away: Sunday, May 23, 2021; Frankly, from what I understand, people using TikTok appear not to require context or facts necessary to make decisions of life and death or those of …
Misplaced conscience is not the path to Mideast peace: Wednesday, May 19, 2021; I hope by the time this column is published there will be a cease-fire in the Mideast. Both sides want and need to stop the killing of innocents …
Telling the truth about lies we are told: Sunday, May 9, 2021; By telling the simple truth, Congresswoman Liz Cheney has, at the very least, put her political career at risk. And with the number of crazy people floating about in camouflage these days, perhaps a good bit more. If Cheney can risk so much to defend our Constitution, what should the rest of us be willing to risk and do to help preserve this democracy the Founding Fathers gave us and …
‘I can breathe’ tweet is a breath of fresh air: Sunday, April 25, 2021; Mark Davis took responsibility for his tweet. He owned his words, he stands behind those words and he meant to say those words. How refreshing.
UNLV’s Reed-Francois plans for success: Sunday, April 18, 2021; It was barely a month ago when the inevitable happened to UNLV’s basketball program. That’s why you have got to admire my friend UNLV Athletic Director Desiree Reed-Francois, who in less than a week’s worth of tumult showed Las Vegas that she not only had a plan for Runnin’ Rebel basketball but that she could …
Regulators shine in protecting Nevada’s gold standard: Sunday, April 11, 2021; Not only do vaccinations protect gaming workers and their families, but they also send the proper message to the tourists, who do the hard work of …
Wanted: An American Moses to break the chains of the gun lobby: Sunday, March 28, 2021; Where is this country’s Moses? A man or woman who will stand up to all the naysayers and demand that it is time to let the people of the United States go — to the movies, to the grocery store, to a concert, to a spa or to a school — without the fear of being slaughtered by some psycho with …
America needs Mr. Smith right now: Sunday, March 21, 2021; OK, for everyone under 50, the headline may assume way too much. As in, how have our schools, our civics teachers and our access to the internet failed to educate most Americans about democracy and the delicate balancing act that is required to keep it in good working order?
Fool’s gold idol trumps Bible at CPAC: Sunday, March 7, 2021; My good friend Billy was perplexed that there was not more of an uproar from last weekend’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) as it rolled out its mascot, a life-sized golden image of former President Donald Trump.
America needs a good shot in the arm: Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021; There seems to be far too many people who find reasons, legitimate or not, to avoid doing what is best and right and moral and good neighborly — that is getting vaccinated to keep yourself, your family and your friends safe, and the mortality rate from COVID-19 down into the manageable range — as if any preventable deaths are …
Don’t let ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ spoil the ending: Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021; You see, I am an optimist, which is a condition that these days could prove figuratively fatal. Or, at the very least, way out of touch with society’s fringes. Being optimistic means that in 2021 a person must…
A ‘Senior Citizen’ asks the right question: Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021; What is it about some significant portion of the citizenry that makes them so ignorant of the facts, so unknowledgeable of the realities on the ground and so oblivious to what should be an obvious and very bright line of right and wrong? And what is it that makes them believe …
It shouldn’t take courage to do what’s right: Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021; What happened to those days when people of goodwill and most political persuasions stood up clearly and decisively for the simple concept of right and wrong? When John F. Kennedy wrote “Profiles in Courage,” there were real people in public life who had exhibited that trait and …
There is time for comity, just not too much: Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021; If the roles were reversed and the circumstances warranted it, Sen. Mitch McConnell would be the first person to dump the pretense of comity and say, ”Filibuster be damned. Power to the people — the Republican people who know how to …
Biden’s promise for America in a picture and a poem: Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021; The inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden on Jan. 20, 2021, allowed an overwhelming majority of Americans to breathe easier. Much easier. It allowed each of us — regardless of how we voted — to dream a little differently but to dream nonetheless. And for most of us, it brought a sense of hope that the rancor we have felt daily, the division that has infected us and the violence that has …
Bet the ‘good news’ side of Inauguration Day: Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021; Grown-ups will be confirmed shortly to lead the institutions of our federal government, which were so badly served during the Trump administration. The walls along the border may not come tumbling down but the barricades to a sane immigration policy will …
Plenty to blame for Trump’s traitor tantrum: Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021; The question that will be asked by new generations of Americans must be, “What did you do, Daddy or Mommy, to prevent the coup attempt of the United States …
Where I Stand: Rachel Smith knew what she was doing!: Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020; It was at a wedding, the social event of the season in an earlier Las Vegas, when Rachel grabbed my hand and gushed those glorious words that define all weddings in our tradition, “Come, I want you to …
Trump’s big, beautiful gift to America: Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020; Retrospectives of presidential administrations happen about every eight years —and sometimes after only four years, as in this case — but they do happen and they are worthy of our time. That is because every presidency yields some things that are good and some things that are not so good. Donald Trump’s is no different …
Miracles of the season vs. the grinch who would steal them: Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020; A season of miracles can be marred by those less worthy. This weekend marked the beginning of the eight days of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, which is an acknowledgment of a miracle by people of the Jewish faith.
A reason to give thanks in the time of coronavirus: Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020; In the midst of the pandemic doing its damndest to set new and worsening records of death and health destruction, it is difficult to find reasons to be thankful.
Keystone Kops in 2020 are no laughing matter: Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020; What President Donald Trump and his minions are doing — besides wreaking havoc with the public’s confidence in America’s ability to conduct free and fair elections, as dangerous to democracy as that may prove to be — reminds me of two of history’s …
America needs its patriots — now!: Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020; Think about what each of us can do to save our country and our countrymen from the scourge of COVID-19. I am talking specifically to the 71,000,000 Americans who this month voted to re-elect President Donald Trump. In my view, you may be our last best hope to …
This Louisiana good ol’ boy ain’t no JFK: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020; I was flattered just knowing I was being singled out because, I thought, there couldn’t be more than a few hundred thousand other Americans who would be so fortunate to hear from Sen. John …
Fremont Street, circa 2020, is here and now: Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020; With the seeds planted by Tony Hsieh, the continuing growth of East Fremont and the Arts District, downtown Las Vegas is now on the move …
Voters stand in line to save democracy: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020; Those long lines of voters appear to be Democrats who are voting to take back their country and do the hard work required of citizens who want to keep their democracy.
C’mon, R-J, do what’s right for Nevada: Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020; The Las Vegas Sun has always considered its responsibility to our community foremost among many other priorities. Regardless of whether people agree with our opinions or not, it has to be said that we have acted with the community interest in mind. Last week, the Review-Journal published …
Too many sins, even for God!: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020; A part of the Yom Kippur religious service that has always intrigued me — from the time I was very young to even now that I have advanced through the middle ages — is the entire congregation reciting the “Al Chet,” the confession of sins. It is done a few times during Yom Kippur and each time we recite the sins “we have committed” and for which we seek …
Jews celebrate new year with continued optimism: Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020; According to the Jewish calendar, the recorded history of Jews started 5,781 years ago. The words “ in the beginning” started it all, and throughout our history the Jews have wandered the world, looking for a home. They have finally found their home …
Trump, GOP no longer believe in law and order: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020; The thousands who showed up Sunday night in Henderson were selfish and willfully ignorant, full of the kind of bravado that has permeated the Trump cult over the years ...
Trump is a clear and present danger to US: Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020; There is no such thing as a vacation during the time of coronavirus …
John Lewis exemplified what is great about America: Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020; It was my generation that was shaped by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s words as well as John Lewis’ leadership in the face of violence and degradation. As young people, we saw what happened in Selma, Ala., and witnessed the violence on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. We can never forget our country’s participation on “Bloody Sunday.”
Rosie’s message: It wasn’t my job or your job, it was our job: Sunday, July 26, 2020; I was struck the other day by a story about a remarkable woman from the Greatest Generation named Mae Krier. Mae is 94 years young and she spends much of her time these days making masks. But they aren’t just ordinary masks …
Public servants deserve our thanks, need our understanding: Sunday, July 19, 2020; No one in elective office in this state signed up for the time of coronavirus. Everyone is winging it, doing the best they can with some circumstances way beyond their control …
Trump’s threats will not make our schools safe: Sunday, July 12, 2020; While Trump sees the opening of schools as a plus for his flagging reelection campaign, every other sane American sees this as ...
'It’s a hell show': The truth from a doctor in the COVID-19 trenches: Thursday, July 9, 2020; What follows is a heartfelt letter to friends written by a doctor in the trenches who is just reporting what he sees every day and the fears it engenders. It it represents a truth that …
Las Vegas needed Irwin Molasky: Monday, July 6, 2020; Irwin Molasky understood the nature of the people who came here to build Las Vegas’ gambling and tourism industry. And he knew that people outside of the industry had to work with and, yes, sometimes partner with those who ...
Made in America: A great big mess: Sunday, July 5, 2020; Ronald Reagan famously asked each of us if we were better off in 1980 than we were in 1976 — after four years of Jimmy Carter’s presidency. The people answered that question with an overwhelming victory for Reagan, and the rest is history. So, if it was good enough for Reagan to ask it 40 years ago, shouldn’t it …
No time to mask the stupidity of others: Sunday, June 28, 2020; “Stupid is as stupid does.” Forrest Gump had no problem understanding the concept. So why is it that so many Republican leaders are having difficulty comprehending the fact that people — some of them — actually do stupid things. Over and over …
Our country needs a father: Sunday, June 21, 2020; As we celebrate Father’s Day we should be mindful of the incredible responsibility required of fatherhood as well as the awesome opportunity that is provided every father to help shape the generation that comes after him. And we need to also consider how, as the elected successor to George Washington, President Donald Trump is …
NASCAR makes a right turn with flag ban: Sunday, June 14, 2020; By finally taking action to ban the unfurled symbol of slavery in the United States, NASCAR has made it safe for people everywhere to follow its lead ...
Trump makes a mockery of God-fearing voters: Sunday, June 7, 2020; Where are the people of faith when Trump uses them and their belief system as a prop in his quest to undermine the Constitution?
Can Israel shine a light in the dark corners of American democracy?: Sunday, May 31, 2020; As I read through his piece I found myself wondering, where is America’s Yair Lapid? Who will step up and admit that what has been happening in our country the past few years is shameful in that …
Ayatollah leading Iran back to the past: Sunday, May 24, 2020; For the past 40 years or more, Iran has turned from a country supportive and consistent with Western and American values to a place hardly recognizable as a center of culture, creativity and contribution. It also has climbed to the very top of the list of those countries most in need of an “attitude adjustment,” if you get my drift.
The Bard had words for Barr’s corruption: Sunday, May 17, 2020; It has been quite some time since I have had to revert to quoting William Shakespeare, but today it seems appropriate since we are surrounded by death, ineptitude, skullduggery and incompetence — constant themes in the Bard’s memorable writings — and that sums up just the past few months of …
Sisolak has earned Nevada’s respect: Sunday, May 3, 2020; Nevada’s challenge is not just the lives of its 3 million-plus residents. We have more than 40 million visitors from all over the world who we mustn't endanger. That makes opening Nevada …
Mayor does not speak for Las Vegas: Sunday, April 26, 2020; Here is what Las Vegas absolutely does not need: Mayor Carolyn Goodman uttering one more word about what she thinks is good for the people of this city …