MIA Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is concerned that the powers Vladimir Putin has amassed may undermine democracy in Russia:

"In any country, if you don't have countervailing institutions, the power of any one president is problematic for democratic development," Rice told reporters after meeting with human-rights activists.

More after the fold.

Good day to all.

There is currently a recommended diary that has elicited great comments from Kossacks regarding reaching out to those who now, or may soon, feel the impact of their votes for George W. Bush, based upon the Civil War in Iraq.  However, I am writing this diary to highlight a misunderstanding about public school funding, how it is calculated, and what monies are actually appropriated to school districts.

More after the break.