Columnist Ruthe Deskin: A little of this, little of that

Ruthe Deskin is assistant to the publisher. Her column appears Thursdays. Reach her at [email protected].

Salmagundi is a mixture of many things and thus could be the title for this column:

The headlines of the past few weeks have shocked the community: "Six teenagers mowed down ... three killed in accident ... driver plows into tourists."

Three fatal accidents in a month involving drivers allegedly under the influence of drugs or alcohol should be a wake-up call to those who choose to drive a vehicle after doing drugs or drinking excessively. Six teenagers, a mother-to-be and a young father are among the victims of impaired drivers. Count the ruined lives of the accused drivers and the toll is a heavy one.

Will the message of designated drivers and "don't drive while under the influence" ever get across?

All of a sudden, it seems, the TV screens, magazines and newspapers are loaded with advertisements for prescription drugs "available only through a doctor's orders." The subtle persuasion of the ads probably influences patients to pester their doctors about new cures for their ailments.

Most of the ads have warnings that the drugs may cause side effects like headaches, upset stomachs, aching muscles or more serious complications. And now comes the inevitable -- lawyers already advertising to solicit lawsuits for anyone suffering side effects from taking certain medications. And the cost of prescription drugs continues to rise. What a paradox.

The complaints of sportswriters who deplore the length of the NBA playoffs fall on deaf ears as far as this basketball junkie is concerned. I love every minute of the playoffs. Basketball is truly a game where "it ain't over till the fat lady sings." A 20-point lead can fade away in short order and games can be won in the final seconds.

It is especially gratifying for an old UNLV Rebel fan to watch Larry Johnson, Greg Anthony, Stacey Augmon and Shawn Marion in the playoffs. Johnson and Anthony are having great seasons. Ditto for Marion.

Not in the playoffs but still a part of the Rebel program, Tyrone Nesby and Keon Clark are proving they belong in the NBA. Too bad J.R. Rider can't get his head on straight and live up to his potential as a real star. All in all, UNLV is well represented in the NBA.

Reggie Theus is a full-time broadcaster and former Rebels assistant coach Tim Grgurich is assistant coach for the Portland Trailblazers -- all of whom make Rebel fans mighty proud.

Hillary Rodham Clinton is smart and lucky.

First her opposition for the Senate race in New York, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, is diagnosed with prostate cancer. There is still some question whether the rigors of a campaign will be too much for Giuliani. But the real problem for the mayor is his marital situation: Whether he will be forgiven for his peccadillos as easily as President Clinton was is the big question. Meanwhile Hillary goes merrily along.

The University Board of Regents, still under scrutiny for circumventing the open meeting law, should remember: Public business should be done in public.

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