To elaborate on Dusty Rhoades' time-saving tips (April 6 column), here are handy points:

Red flag words: Far right, religious right, fundies, Nazi, neocon. Nothing new in those stories. Avoid for the exact reasons Rhoades gives.

Phrases: Make the rich pay their fair share. The top one percent of earners pay about 40 percent of the taxes. The bottom 50 percent pays about 4 percent currently. So, exactly what is considered fair? If no numerical answer is suggested, it's just emotional lip-service.

Increase corporate taxes, and stop unfair corporate tax cuts. When this notion is presented, without mentioning that any increased overhead is simply added to the corporation's product pricing, you can stop reading or listening.

A simple truth: We the people pay taxes, not corporations. If this little factoid is avoided in any article or political pledge that promises to "get even with Big Oil," save your time.

Health care. Any mention of this without the obvious comparison of a typical visit to your local DMV should be written off.

Climate Change. The necessary renaming of a movement since we don't really seem to be warming. If Al Gore is interviewed, the following questions should be addressed. If not, take a nap.

1. Al, how's your carbon-credit business doing?

2. There seems to be an increase in polar bear population. How can this be?

3. Mr. Gore, you've refused to debate this issue on scientific merit. Assuming you have conclusive scientific data, and since you're skilled in debate, wouldn't this be a perfect forum to get your message out?

Note: We're all looking for truth. There are huge financial interests on both sides. To ignore this reality on one side only makes such an article or interview a waste of our time.

Ron Sykes

Broadway