Editorial: Thumbs

Published Saturday, December 5, 2009

DOWN — To violence and drug abuse.

As newspaper editors have said for decades, if you don’t want your name printed, don’t do it. There has been news about murder, meth and robbery in the Tribune lately. It’s not as though we enjoy printing crime; however, we know it is our duty to keep the public in the know about local law breaking. An informed public is a safer public. So if you get arrested or charged with a crime and call the newspaper asking to not print your name for fear of public embarrassment, please note that we have to weigh your request against the overwhelming majority of readers who care a lot about public safety. Our best advice is just to not break the law in the first place.

DOWN — To federal spending.

We, too, have concerns about federal spending under the Obama administration, just like we had concerns about federal spending under the Bush administration. Greater debt weakens the dollar. However, let’s note that spending America’s treasure on improving the quality of life and economic well-being of Americans is more sensible for getting the country back on track than squandering it on a never-ending war with Iraq over weapons that it didn’t possess. The costly war opens the door for political followers to point out: If America can afford to take lives overseas, it surely can afford to save lives at home, too. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, a Republican from Texas, was concerned about Republican spending, but few other Republicans were when that party was in power. Let’s point the finger at both sides of the aisle when talking about big-time spending.

DOWN — To Tiger Woods.

Sorry, Tiger. You presently are considered hands down the world’s greatest athlete. With that comes role-model responsibilities. It’s much different when Joe Schmoe falters. You crashed your SUV and committed, as you vaguely put it, “transgressions” against your family. Explain. Apologize. Take your lumps. Straighten out your family life. Move on. Life will get better for you in the long haul.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---