Why doesn't the Star mention the other hurdle that makes Nevada ineligible for the race to the top funds: Schools MUST BE FUNDED AT 2006 LEVELS. Let's see the "No Taxes" bunch wrap their heads around that "minor detail."

But, we can make it real simple; change the law so teachers have the right to strike, and they will accept the test scores as part of their evaluation.

"Except for the past twenty years, I protected the United States Borders as a front line armed U.S. Immigration and Border Protection Officer"

Nice job.......

How many years has UNLV football tried to be "Big Time?" Obviously it has been an abysmal failure. Until the university and athletic department make a true effort to build a program, nothing will happen. They need to pull out of the MWC, and get into a smaller conference. There are plenty of "smaller Big Time" programs such as georiga Southern, Delaware, and Youngstown State, which outdraw, outplay and outclass UNLV at every turn. Until people actually want to come to UNLV and believe they will get a competitive education, we are stuck with who's left.

"Is G-d some sort of inside joke?

Yes

"Do you mean, like most who use this statistic, that half of all marriages end in divorce?"

Yes

"Marriage is the foundation upon which our civil society is built. That's not even debatable."

Yes, it is.. We call it "debate" (pronounced de-bate)

"If you(Killer B) need a source for that truism, there's no point discussing any topic with you."

Typical of a poor creature backed into a corner by facts.......

"I only worry that if we get national heath care, very little money will be available for good works such as this."

Way to taint an otherwise noble subject with your backhanded vitriol, JLB. You have my sympathy.

My sister lived five years, and eventually died while waiting for a lung transplant. As her guardian for the last few months of her life, I could have been bitter over the abysmal shortage of donors. Many people sign their donor card, only to be overridden by family members who, in their moment of grief, refuse to actually allow organs to be donated.

When I held my sister's hand as the life passed out of her, I decided that she could help someone else, and because of her, there are two people in Illinois who now have sight.

So, JLB's quip notwithstanding, it's important to not only sign your card, but make sure your wishes WILL be honored.

"How about a tall cold frosted mug of Goombay punch, loaded with aged Jamaican rum and topped with a garnish of fresh fruit"

I'm in, and I do play Cello pan, and occasionally double tenor pan.

"GOD help this country if this bickering and back biting continues unabated for another 10 years...."

Luckily, if that happens, we will have restarted the Civil War, part deux, and I'll have moved to the mighty superpower country of St. Martin, where my weapon of choice will be Guavaberry Rum, crystal clear water, blue skies, and Caribbean music. Try arguing with that.....

"I don't know Bill Gates. I wonder if he washes his own dishes"

Ummm....He started his company by working on the bottom...at the nuts and bolts level... Making my point about someone starting at the bottom and coming out on top. Now, wouldn't you want Bill Gates directing the national educational technology initiative??? Or why don't we follow the Shrub's idea and have someone head up the initiative who spent their life milling grain....

"I bled for this country, bub."

then I would expect you, of all people, to appreciate that the pencil pushers have precious little idea what goes on in the real world of bleedin' and Dyin'. "The Art of War" quotes, "Never ask your men to spill blood, if you haven't or won't gladly do it with them." Would you rather have had your Generals leading you into battle?

"Yes, I want lower personnel costs at auto factories

Then allow the companies to reduce or eliminate healthcare costs, by allowing ALL workers access to the Medicare system, by paying a sliding scale premium.

"I guess that means I'm against you"

Then according to Dick Cheney, you are un-american, and you have my pity, "Middle"

so you have something against a Master Sergeant making decisions?

Do you have a problem with Bill Gates running Microsoft?

It seems to most of us with a complete set of working dendrites that having someone running a department, who may actually have some experience, a good idea. We tried the opposite: The Shrub appointing a horse inspector to run FEMA-look at how good that was....

I guess you are one of the tin hats whom are openly rooting for our government to fail...have you done any teabagging lately?

How bout revealing your true self as to why you want our country to suck, and have have a healthcare system worse than Switzerland. Do you wan't lower personnel costs at auto factories? Are you in favor of actually educating children instead of treating them as widgets to be thought of purely by cost?

to quote a former president "either you're with us or against us...."

Which is it?

Careful mike your tin foil is slipping again....