Time for Clinton to pull the plug

The passing of haute couture icon Yves Saint Laurent on Sunday ironically came at the same time Hillary Clinton said it was too soon to write her own political obituary.

And while the father of the pantsuit has in fact left us, the most famous wearer of one still clings to life support -- with advisers pushing the sad option of a convention fight that calls to mind the spectacle of the Terri Schiavo battle.

It's long past time for the Clintons and their pit bulls to pull the plug.

Even with the Clintonites complaining their way to another new finish line, Barack Obama only needs about 40 delegates to finally hit the tape.

Realizing her last, best effort before the Democratic National Committee's rules body didn't provide a magic elixir, Clinton instead asked superdelegates to join her because she had more popular votes.

Of course, just like her hurried descent by chopper past sinister snipers in Kosovo, this isn't the truth.

She continues to peddle this pablum for core supporters who are better suited for anger management classes than the voting booth.

Even now, Clinton would again like to change the rules. Just as she first agreed to play without Michigan and Florida (even though she never fully retreated from either state), she would now like us to forget all the good people who voted in caucus states.

The New York senator may have been woman enough to take on the biggest challenge in the world. She may have shown she can run as well as any man on that stage. But all things being equal, a male candidate couldn't get away with what she has done over the past 15 months, and neither should she.

Saint Laurent may have "freed" women in a fashion sense by permitting them to dress like the boys, but the old adage is true for either gender: Clothes don't make the man any more than they make the woman.

Still, it will be a relief for Democrats to get a new wardrobe.

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Every summer, the Clark County School District makes a giant push to hire teachers to fill all its classrooms before the fall.

In the past, the district has argued that the rising cost of housing in Las Vegas has made recruitment efforts so difficult they've had to look south of the border for new hires.

This summer shouldn't be so hard.

For starters, housing prices are as close to rock bottom as they're going to get.

And talk about a pool of potential hires. California is laying off 20,000 teachers and support staff. Teachers are being let go from Salem, Mass., to Detroit and Alabama.

Seems to me the district shouldn't have much trouble putting up the happy recruiter face to the ranks of the unemployed.

As long as the district focuses on the good -- no income tax, great benefits and secure retirement -- and ignores the bad -- school performance, state budget problems and safety issues -- it should do just fine.

Even the bottom of the Clark County School District pay schedule will look good to someone making nothing. After all, unemployment benefits don't last forever.

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With summer upon us and most schoolchildren finishing up classes this week, parents don't have to look far for a little relief.

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District once again is offering its Club Read program to keep younger readers from losing a good month's worth of educational progress over the summer.

The program couldn't be simpler. Just go to any library branch to pick up the reading log.

There are separate activities as well as different prizes for kids or teens who participate. Preschoolers can even earn points when their parents read to them. Kids can get credit for playing a board game, writing a letter or making a greeting card, in addition to putting in a good 20 minutes with a book.

Teens even get credit for creating a comic book, designing a bookmark or posting on an online message board.

The program runs through July, with prizes available for each five credits the participant earns. Prizes for kids include a mood pencil, tickets to the Lied Discovery Children's Museum and a medal. Teen prizes include a keychain highlighter and wave sports bottle.

Those who reach the finish line (20 credits) also get entries into contests. Teens can win a $50 Target gift card (one for each branch) and kids enter to win four round-trip tickets on Southwest Airlines (districtwide).

Fifth-graders can choose which program they want to do.

Also, anyone who signs up for a library card this month is eligible to win a family membership to the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art.

The library district has also scheduled numerous activities for kids and teens this summer, including dance parties, movies and puppet shows. With any luck you'll get them involved in something before they hit you with their first "I'm bored."

Contact Erin Neff at eneff@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2906.