A common misperception is that foreign aid constitutes a large portion of the federal budget. Currently, foreign aid makes up less than 1% of federal expenditures. Only one third of that is developmental aid going to assist developmental programs that are targeted at the world's poorest citizens. The United States has one of the lowest rates of GDP dedicated to foreign aid (.1%) By comparison, Danemark contributes 10 times more of its' GDP to foreign aid.
Foreign aid is vital to securing American interests overseas. The elimination of foreign aid to Pakistan in the 1980's and 1990's led to a sharp decline in secular schools, especially in poor rural areas. This, in turn, led to the rise of madrassas, where the current generation of jihaadists were indoctrinated into radical Islam.
A nation has two types of power: Hard power (as exemplified by the military) and soft power (such as foreign aid). Both types must be used effectively to secure our national interests.

The issue is not a fundamental lack of water, but how we consume it. People in Las Vegas need to recognize that we live in a desert, and adapt to these conditions. On a basic level, golf courses in the desert is an insane idea.

That being said, when push comes to shove, urban wins and rural loses. We'll get the water out of Northern Nevada, at a higher cost and later than originally planned.

What a perfect solution for Gibbons and the Gang of 63: They can kick the can down the road a little bit without addressing any of the fundamental issues with how tax revenue in the state of Nevada is collected. We need a fundamental reform in how revenue is generated. Unfortunately, at a time when bold leadership is needed, we're stuck with Gibbons.

I can't wait for the Lifetime Movie: "A Trust Betrayed". I'm only curious if the final scene will be a long shot of a federal penitentary...

Six. More. Months. Wow. This campaign season has already seen more vitrol and bad blood than any other I can remember. Here's how the story is going to go: Obama wins the nomination in August. The Republicans loose (and loose big) in November. The rest is sound and fury, signifying nothing....

Really? Kiss your grits? How nice. Now face facts:
1. We have classrooms that are bulging with students.
2. We are loosing far to many teachers because they can't afford to live in Las Vegas.
3. Choosing teaching as a career is not entering indentured servitude.
Get real. The taxation system in Nevada is out of whack, and none of the problems facing our city and state will be reliably repaired until someone in Carson City shows the intestinal fortitude necessary to implement the systemic change required.
Or follow Gibbon's advice: No new taxes. A simple solution for simple people.

I was part of the fiasco at the convention on Saturday, and I was amazed at what I can only perceive as a lack of leadership on the part of the Convention Chair. When someone at the microphone announced that more than 3000 people had registered on Friday night, I couldn't help wondering why a red flag didn't go up for the people in charge: "Gee, turnout is going to be huge. We should take some steps now to prevent chaos tomorrow. First, only registered delegates should be allowed into the hall. Alternates and guests should be placed in a waiting area. And tomorrow we should have people who have lists of elected delegates circulating through the line to identify and fast-track their registration." Instead, I get the feeling that the county party never quite figured out that the light at the end of the tunnel was an oncoming train....

The basic fallacy of high stakes testing is that it ensures our students are learning. All I've ever seen in the classroom is stressed out teachers and stressed out students. This is a silly way to run an education system. It's time for America to stop the public shaming exercise known as "No Child Left Behind".