Agreed, future federal monies should "be directed to the Small Business Administration's Office of Veterans Business Development, where it should do far more good."

It has been my observation that so many administrators with rare exception, and always handsomely paid, tend to lose sight of the actual mission that they are charged with accomplishing. Too often the administrators see or portray themselves outwardly in such a positive glow. They are seemingly eager to speak of their mission in airy terms but less-likely to demonstrate their substantive accomplishments or lack thereof. Once rightfully under scrutiny, they often focus more on their organizations own survivability and again, to the detriment of public service.

And the continual lack of oversight and accountability is disturbing. It took six years of waste and malfeasance to correct the course of this well-intentioned, poorly implemented program. Sadly, the lack of accountability in serving the public, be it veterans or other identifiable groups, whether it be via public or private means, seems to be of little recognizable difference nowadays.

Good article.

What Prof Robinson states is correct. What many people commonly miss and do not take into account is that the US constitutes at just over 300 million people of an estimated world population of 6 billion plus, roughly 6-7% of the total population with energy demands - primarily oil as an imported energy source. It is the demands of the developing countries in the 93-94% percent of the population that play a significant role when discussing supply and demand and the costs associated with it. There are other major factors involved as well, in particularly the high rate of consumption we maintain.

As current efficiencies improve and already viable alternative fuel technology advances, the demand will stop rising and the shift to these fuels will provide substantial improvements in terms of reduced carbon emissions for the environment and communities, increased national security, and improved economic possibilities with domestically-produced/harnessed fuel, among other additional benefits.

Pickens has proposed a reasonable approach towards bridging current sources of fuel with an alternative and available technology to a much brighter and promising future.

Over-reliance primarily on oil over the course of the past few decades has often demonstrated many negative consequences and while there is no 'magic bullet' according to various interests, there are numerous available technologies and energy sources today - it is primarily a matter of political leadership and will.

State Lottery is a Poor Idea

Suggesting raising money through a state lottery is a poor idea with a dubious track record. At one time, at least initially, it was considered a magic, creative solution. Today, it is an ill-considered and rhetorical line to appeal to those that are not familiar with the ruse.

Basically, according to numerous studies, where states adopt lottery systems for education (K-12 and higher education), the lotteries do not add to educational funding. Instead, the state legislatures, not counties or districts, in practice, tend to 'substitute' monies they had already allocated towards education for other projects.

Then there is the case of high volatility and estimating returns. When the economy sours or waivers, the funding levels provided by a lottery also waiver unpredictably. Nevada is particularly susceptible to the national economy's ebbs and flows. It is not a fluid, reliable source of income when compared to more traditional school funding mechanisms.

There is also a valid argument that a lottery is a 'tax' on the poor and uneducated as those who are poorest and least educated account for the vast majority of lottery ticket sales.

And finally, the Nevada Constitution does not allow for lotteries. The accepted equivalent is MegaBucks and systems like it.

Something to note, it emerges that only states with rankings in the absolute bottom tend to attempt these lottery funding changes. And still, each of those systems still remains in the bottom of national K-12 rankings by state.

I would strongly suggest copying or borrowing funding ideas from top-ranked school systems that are considered successful in many areas as opposed to dubious mechanisms used by the poorest performing systems.

Good piece.

"More worrisome, however, are the vapors from PCE "" Unfortunately, for five years as a latch-key kid, I walked down this path and back again every day to school and then again on the weekends. From 1975, from age 8, to 1980, age 13, this was my neighborhood, my schools, basically my small world. Each morning I would walk from our apartment, either Mark Twain Apartments or Tara Hill (the originally named apartments on Swenson), down either side of Smith's and WonderWorld department store, and usually down the Northern side of Maryland Square with the donut shop and Ken's Coins*, ending at Al Phillips the Cleaners, culminating with crossing Maryland Parkway with the help of the crossing guard. Then I would veer left towards in between the Vineyard and Broadway Southwest (sans Dillards building) or around it depending on the time of day and walk down what used to be a street behind the Boulevard Mall to my school Ruby S. Thomas where I would spend most of my day.

And if not, it was to William E. Orr Junior H.S., and if not there it was the original Freeds Bakery and pet store within the Boulevard or Vineyard for special occasions.

While the article reads "Studies have found that prolonged exposure increases the risk of cancer. The EPA is currently reassessing its potential carcinogenicity.", the real estate broker/-age is focused on short-term money selling the land, developing the land, et cetera, not long-term health effects of the people possibly affected when he ignorantly and greedily states "And we don't have an (environmental) problem there,"

It is disturbing to know that something seemingly so benign as a walk to school would fall directly in line or highly-correlate with such a disturbing 'massive plume of pollution.', a potential carcinogen.

The majority of working parents have not been able to observe or participate in what the school board does unless they have five hours every other Thursday evening between 4 and 9 pm. Alternatively, they may have had to purchase one or two $5 internally-recorded tapes by the school district to view these limited access meetings.

But what about the meetings held at the high-end facility with more-than-adequate security and plush accommodations where the Trustees have their offices?

What about the violation of open meeting laws? Or the periods when the Board goes into ‘closed door sessions’ and are off camera? Will there be elevator music played during these times or promotions for trustees?

While the second and third largest districts in Nevada have efficiently and effectively broadcast their school boards (Washoe, Carson City), the majority of the Clark County School District Board has considered public broadcasting the public meetings as a choice to be weighed with variables of politics and personal preferences, not as a responsibility to the public.

With $2.1 billion dollars of taxpayer’s monies as the states largest recipient and generally only a handful, some 150 regular attendees present, and repeatedly dismal results from the district, and a national ranking of 48 out of 50 – perhaps now, the public can witness much of the underlying principles of failure of leadership at the Clark County School District.

Let the sunshine in and broadcast these meetings – all of them, everywhere, unedited, a user-friendly format, readily available and with links and notices for all the citizens of Clark County.

Part 2 of 2

The Clark County School District School Board members with a few rare exceptions on the Board of seven, has been dragged ‘kicking and screaming’ into the 20th century, in terms of technology, public education and responsibility, however, it is now the 21st century. Politically, they are as adept or diffident as ever. As stated by a Board member “This is a good first step,” of literally hundreds more desperately needed towards an open and responsive school board.

“And it’s long overdue.” Many in the public, particularly parents with children in the school system, buttressed by some political representatives have advocated that these all too bureaucratic and dysfunctional meetings be broadcast, that ‘sunshine’ be allowed. With a consensus amongst many about a lack of leadership and a non-responsive bureaucratic system, the public will with either cable or a high-speed Internet connection be able to watch the proceeding or at least in part.

At the least, viewers will at times be able to see the Board speaking in its own language consisting of insider phrases with no public explanation. The vast majority is often between professional bureaucrats, lawyers and Trustees. One could sometimes mistake the Trustee meeting for a courtroom with lawyers arguing with the public what is legal and their interpretation of Nevada Revised Statutes. One session some time past had the Board supporting lawyers for the district stating how a four year old attending school is illegal and ‘breaking the law.’

School board meetings take place with the same insiders present. The key players are on the stage, accompanied by a handful of influential operatives with a few interludes spread throughout the meetings, a few good reporters, and district bureaucrats who often wander back and forth through the marathon sessions. Only a handful of observers are present unless there is a specific issue at hand.
Towards the end of meetings and during breaks , the viewing public could witness some of the politicos mingle, sidebar conversations and negative quips, with particular Trustees and school officials which would better explain alliances that occur as Trustees vote along certain patterns often excluding a single member who has repeatedly made her concerns of inequities vocalized; only to ask for a second motion to call for a vote, so that certain items could be addressed – and almost without fail, abandoned.
And when concerned residents and parents and citizens are present, the public will often hear the trademark responses of several school board members to include “We appreciate …” and “Next” and similar dismissive responses.

Part 1 of 2