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Je Suis Charlie
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Charlie Springer is dead. The former Nevada attorney general, chief justice and Democratic national committeeman, died one day short of his 91st birthday on Feb. 19.

My memories of Charlie are personal. In his later years, he was my frequent correspondent. His words were a delight to read. He stands with the very few political leaders I most admire: those who know who they are, what they stand for, and will never move away from basic principles no matter the cost.

In the 1966 Democratic gubernatorial primary, Charlie filed against Gov. Grant Sawyer. Legend has it that Charlie just didn't feel a governor should serve more than two terms. In 1970, he waged a long court battle to get on the ballot as a non-partisan for Nevada's top job. His last-minute TV campaign won him a lot of votes at UNLV where I was hanging around at the time. ("For better policing, hire better policemen.")

Charlie won an upset victory for state supreme court in 1980. Distinguished is too mild a word to describe his career at law. As a person, there is no higher accolade than that of the late Reno-Sparks NAACP President Dolores Feemster, a classmate of Charlie's when they were kids. The civil rights legend praised him to high heaven.

We will remember them both at César Chávez Day on March 27. (See below.)

THE IBM SOLUTION. Years ago when Big Blue ruled computers and Apple's pair of Steves didn't even have a garage, IBM launched a national advertising campaign headlined "Simple Solutions to Complex Problems."

That title could also apply to union-busting lawyer Jason Guinasso's lawsuit to outlaw prostitution in Nevada's small counties. (Actually, it's already banned statewide but smaller counties can legalize and regulate at their own volition.) As to prostitution in Reno-Sparks and Gomorrah South, the gambling-industrial complex has always provided an in-house catterie of working girls. They often have other jobs in the hotel but are on call for, ahem, room service.

Mr. Guinasso might try to unionize them if he really cares.

Neither legal grandstanding nor Nevada law have ever done much to address hardcore sex trafficking. With the help of my colleagues at the Reno-Sparks NAACP, we once saved a scared kidnapped teenager from the mean streets of downtown Reno. ("Pretty Elle's Trip to Hell," Barbwire 12-27-2009, Nevada Press Association first-place award winner.)

If you judge as adequate the Silver State's social services, taxpayer and/or privately funded, read my story. Your daughters remain at risk.

POOR GUARDIANS. Regular readers may recall that the Barbwire man helped one of the biggest newspapers in the world produce a story about the Tesla effect on the little people of these parts. Journalist Rory Carroll's opus appeared in The Guardian (London UK and environs plus one billion readers worldwide) last summer.

I put Mr. Carroll together with two renters who chose to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. (Renters in Nevada have few rights and can be evicted for no reason.)

I got this last week from the Sparks tenant: "I still have nowhere to go. I am currently reading a book called '55, underemployed and faking normal.' I am going to compose a form letter to send to our new governor and both mayors, as I do not think any of them have a grasp on what the situation in Reno/Sparks will become if rent is not lowered at all apt. complexes. Some seniors are moving in with their children (because of rent increases). That is not an option for me. Everyone focuses on the currently homeless and not those of us on the cusp of homelessness. I really need to point this out to anyone who will listen and can do something about it."

¡VIVA CHAVEZ! Mr. Carroll has since gone on to greener pastures, Irish greener. The former Venezuelan bureau chief wrote a book ("Commandante," available thru Reno's Grassroots Books) about the country's late dictator Hugo Chávez, no relation to labor legend César or boxing superstar Julio César Chávez. Carroll was transferred from Los Angeles to his native Ireland just after his Tesla story ran. (I disclaim all blame.)

STAY TUNED TO CESARCHAVEZNEVADA.COM for a big announcement about César Chávez Day XVII on March 27 at the Grand Sierra-Reno. Get your tickets now while they last. If you're not on my e-list, I strongly suggest joining.

¡Sí se puede!