Status Updates From The Sagebrush State, 5th Ed...

I just finished reading Chapter 8, "The Nevada Judiciary." Honestly, it was the least interesting chapter in the book (so far). It's ironic that the judicial system in Nevada emerged as a response to massive corruption in the early years of the state. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, in a 1994 poll of 300 lawyers, 75% "'indicated that they only had 'some' or "not much' confidence in the Supreme Court..."'

Historically, Nevadans have debated the name of this state. Today, we argue over the "correct" pronunciation of this state. Most people I know in LV say, "Nev-AD-a." Interesting connection: I read that a Nevada politician wanted to pass a bill that would allow the "Nev-AH-da" pronunciation as acceptable.

I'm brushing up on Nevada history and politics. I read that the "mentally incompetent" are constitutionally barred from voting in NV elections. I wonder: what constitutes mental incompetence? I was also left to wonder what Nevada would be like without the gaming industry... Very unique state history!