Where I Stand -- Ruthe Deskin: Traveling down campaign trail always an exciting ride

LET THE GAMES begin.

The deadline for filing has passed and candidates are gearing up for the battles ahead. Looking over the list of political hopefuls reminds me again of the respect I have for anyone who jumps into the political whirlpool.

Running for any political office requires stamina, determination, courage, money sources, willing volunteers, knowledge and ego. Even with all that, the best man, or woman, doesn't always win.

The campaign trail offers an exciting journey that can get rough and tough in spite of promises for a smooth ride.

There is no indication that this year will be any different from many campaigns in the past. The usual "dirt" will fly fueled by exaggerations, false accusations and ignorance.

Through it all, voters will be the final arbiters. Winners will rejoice and losers will lick their wounds while making plans for another run at a later date.

All of this is old hat to some of us who have been around for many years -- at least long enough to remember prognosticators such as "Diamond" Tooth Miller and his annual sheet comparing candidates to race horses. Or Sundown Wells with his famous line, "You can't beat nothing with nothing."

Those old political movers and shakers such as Pat Clark, Bob Baskin, Hap Hazard, C.D. Baker and Randy McElhone were always in their glory during campaigning. And they knew how to pull a few hat tricks at election time -- some of which might not be acceptable in today's politically correct society.

There are still some old-timers who can spin yarns about past election pecadillos -- guys such as Joe Johnston, George Foley, Charley Thompson, Bob Faiss Ralph Denton and others. Just ask them.

And who could ever forget Zee Louie or Charley Guam?

As for now, it's time to get on the bandwagons of favorite candidates and let the chips fall.

Mark Fuhrman's new book, "Murder in Greenwich," is sure to rankle the Kennedy family, although the relationship of the suspects to the Kennedy family is rather remote. They are nephews of Ethel Kennedy.

Fuhrman, best known as the Los Angeles Police Department detective who testified at the trial of O.J. Simpson, has done a thorough job of investigating the 23-year-old mystery of who killed 15-year-old Martha Moxley. Fuhrman's first book, "Murder in Brentwood," made the New York Times best-seller list. His latest is even more intriguing.

The Clark County Bar Association did something so right when it presented Liberty Bell Awards to four deserving individuals at a recent luncheon.

Recipients of the prestigious awards were:

Congratulations to the Clark County Bar Association for having the foresight to select such outstanding candidates.

How are things in your backyard?

The Clark County Conservation District has compiled a booklet that will tell you about appropriate trees and shrubs for the desert Southwest, water conservation, composting and pest management.

The district is urging locals to participate in "backyard conservation." A good place to start is to contact Heather Gallo at 262-9047 and ask for a copy of the backyard booklet.

Love that sign on the Truly Nolen Pest Control trucks:

"Adios, cucaracha."

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