Commentary
In an unprecedented economic recovery, why are we only talking about inflation?
The latest jobs report shows that the U.S. economy continues its rapid recovery from the pandemic crisis. Employers added 428,000 new jobs in April, continuing a now-year-long streak of similarly strong job growth. After surging to a post-World War II high of 14.7% in 2020, unemployment is now down to 3.6%, the lowest level in […]
Time to turn the corner on Nevada’s mental health crisis
May is Mental Health Awareness month in the U.S., and our state is certainly aware of the needs surrounding this public health issue now more than ever. As Nevada emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and our political, business, and community leaders launch efforts to strengthen our economy and train Nevadans for new jobs to secure […]
The Silver and Ack
The New York Times published a story on the Raiders late last week that mostly focuses on mayhem in the front office, with an emphasis on the dysfunctional and bungling nature of the organization. But arguably more important were the parts of the story that shed light on working conditions within the organization. Here’s an excerpt: […]
For CCEA, Democrats are bad because they’re Republicans, but Republicans are good
The nastiness has begun. Just days after heralding in the merry month of May, and the last cool days we in Southern Nevada will experience for the next four months, voters started getting flyers in their mailboxes. Nasty flyers. Untrue flyers. Political flyers. Sent by a group called Strategic Horizons. Which is related to and […]
The Supreme Court shouldn’t be shrouded in secrecy
The firestorm arising out of the recent leak of a draft of the Supreme Court opinion — purporting to eliminate constitutional abortion rights established 49 years ago in Roe v. Wade — has generated fury for different reasons from various quarters. But the consternation ought to serve another useful purpose: Highlighting the secrecy of how that tribunal […]
Starbucks’ caffeinated anti-union efforts may leave a bitter taste – but are they legal?
Good news greeted Starbucks workers on May 3, 2022, in the shape of a promise of new pay increases. But there was a catch: Employees at unionized stores – or those planning to unionize – shouldn’t expect to see a dime of this hike. As far as efforts to discourage workers from supporting union drives […]
Hey Republicans: If you really love moms and babies like you claim, here’s what you’ll do
Since a Supreme Court draft overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked to Politico, I’ve heard Republican politicians claim that they “love women and babies” and will support women who, post-Roe, cannot get abortions. This claim puzzles me. Outlawing abortions seems not supportive at all but in fact the cruelest way to lower abortion numbers in the U.S., not to mention […]
Abortion has been common in the US since the 18th century – and debate started soon after
State-by-state battles are heating up in the wake of news that the U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to overrule landmark rulings – Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey – and remove constitutional protection for the right to get an abortion. Now, pro- and anti-abortion advocates are gearing up for a new phase of […]
The wholly unsurprising fate of Roe v. Wade
Being a woman in this country often feels like an exercise in futility. It’s repeatedly baring your soul and sharing your personal and intimate stories in hopes of proving that you deserve basic rights, only to be slapped in the face with decisions that explicitly negate your own experience. It is exhausting. I am rarely rendered speechless, […]
Trump-endorsed candidates snubbed & drubbed at NVGOP convention
Remember that one time when the great and powerful Nevada State Democratic Party (Harry Reid, proprietor) was taken over, and the legendary “Reid Machine” just cold ousted from leadership, during a state party convention by upstart Democratic Socialists? And then a bunch of national media went all “oh my stars and garters,” except in mediaspeak? […]
Conservation through a political lens: What wildlife management in Africa and Nevada have in common
I have followed some of Nevada’s debates about its wildlife populations and governance issues with interest. I’m an historian, and I study wildlife conservation. My research is on eastern and southern Africa, far afield from Nevada from a geographic perspective. However, viewing Nevada’s debates through an historical lens, even one rooted in 1920s-1970s Africa, reveals […]
It’s high time Nevada ends the loophole that leads to criminal prosecutions for cannabis
U.S. attitudes toward cannabis have begun to change as more states have decriminalized or legalized cannabis medically and recreationally. Here in Nevada, cannabis has become a lucrative and profitable commodity for dispensaries and wholesalers, but prosecutors and police continue to treat cannabis like heroin and methamphetamine rather than respecting the voice of Nevada voters. Voters […]