Print edition for December 30, 2007

Editorial: A drop in the bucket: The last three months of the year are crucial to many charities. Roughly 70 percent of the charities surveyed reported that at least 40 percent of their annual budget comes in during the holiday season.

Journey to the center of the ring: By Mike Trask; Persistent Las Vegas man persuades wife to let him fight

Letter: Libertarian streak is hurting Nevada: We have collectively chosen this path and should learn to live with it. Too bad, though, for our young people who grow up in this environment and often end up with careers in unchallenging, routine jobs in smoky casinos on the Strip rather than being exposed to the diverse and satisfying cultural, educational and professional opportunities available to the youth of more progressive states.

Smith's World: The '07 Collection: This is the domain of Mike Smith, the Sun's longtime editorial cartoonist. Inside this world, as demonstrated by the cartoons on these pages, the news of the day takes on a whole new perspective.

Editorial: A New Year's resolution: The state's budget crisis is the very visible background for three initiative petitions being circulated that would raise taxes on the gaming industry to pay for education, transportation projects and a number of other needs.

Agreement uncommon on issues of civil liberty: Brittany Willis; Forty high school students plus topics that could press anyones button equal a very compelling discussion. At this years 2007 Sun Youth Forum I had the chance to be part of such an exchange.

Letter: Gibbons' ideology unrealistic for state: It defies reason to think satisfactory services can continue with these severe cuts. Isn't there some person or group who can clue the governor in to the absurdity of his viewpoint? Since he will be in office for the next three years, it's going to get only worse.

2007: a Year of Frustration in the News: AP; Thousands lose their homes in a mortgage and credit crisis that worsened - despite repeated assurances that the worst had passed.

Internet Opens Elite Colleges to All: AP; Recently, with the growth of computer science, demand to understand linear algebra has surged. But so has the number of students Strang can teach.

Journey to the center of the ring: By Mike Trask; R.J. Richter steps out of the ring, physically spent, slick with a wet blend of his sweat and that of the other guy, whose name R.J. still doesn't know. He stares into the crowd of ruffians, wishing he could see his wife, the woman who loves him enough to allow him to risk losing his teeth or having his elbow snapped.

A drop in the bucket: saxo-archive; As the economy slumps, any donation this time of year will be a help to those in need

THE MAJORITY LEADER: Lisa Mascaro, Sun Washington Bureau; THE MAJORITY LEADER

Reid reflects on a rough year: By Lisa Mascaro; THE MAJORITY LEADER Reflecting on a rough year With Congress’ failures overshadowing its successes in the public eye, Reid faces criticism from all corners MORE INSIDE 3.128 HOW EXPERTS RATE REID Five political experts weigh in on Reid and his first year as the Senate majority leader by rating his performance in seven categories. Above is the average of his overall scores on a five-point scale, with five being the highest possible. Page 3. Former Majority Leaders Bob Dole and Tom Daschle know all about running the Senate. Read what they said about how Reid did on Page 3. THE ...

Dangerous days lie ahead From Darfur to North Korea and from the Gaza Strip to the Kremlin, the will and the wisdom of the United States and its leadership are being tested every day.: saxo-archive; Dangerous days lie ahead From Darfur to North Korea and from the Gaza Strip to the Kremlin, the will and the wisdom of the United States and its leadership are being tested every day.

Editorial: A New Year's resolution Voters in Clark County have supported raising taxes for roads, flood control projects, school construction and police. Now, however, the argument must be made that s: The state's budget crisis is the very visible background for three initiative petitions being circulated that would raise taxes on the gaming industry to pay for education, transportation projects and a number of other needs.

A New Year’s resolution Voters in Clark County have supported raising taxes for roads, flood control projects, school construction and police. Now, however, the argument must be made that something mo: saxo-archive; Making adequate funding of education and other needs should be the state’s top priority

A Look at the Bhutto Family Dynasty: AP; - Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto: late grandfather of Benazir Bhutto. Senior figure in the Pakistan Muslim League, the party that helped split Pakistan from India and lead it to independence in 1947.

Four critical questions that face the United States as it enters a new era: saxo-archive; Four critical questions that face the United States as it enters a new era

Out of the inkwell Can you name them? See legend on Page 2: saxo-archive; Some of the characters who appeared in the pages of the Sun in 2007, as drawn by Chris Morris

Letter: Don't let assassination stymie democracy: In the spirit of these martyred leaders, it is my hope that Ms. Bhutto's tragic demise will not discourage democratic forces in Pakistan but will instead serve as a rallying point and wake-up call for the vast majority of decent, law-abiding, democracy-seeking citizens of Pakistan and elsewhere to vigilantly and jointly eradicate terrorism wherever and whenever it rears its ugly head.