Published Tuesday, October 7, 2008
THE TRIBUNE'S VIEW
Fat laws
By HENRY J. WATERS III, Publisher, Columbia Daily Tribune
A recent report shows Missourians are fatter than ever and that the trend won’t stop without increased government funding and community involvement. The Trust for America’s Health says we are the 13th-worst-off state, with an obesity rate of 27.4 percent and more than 63 percent of us overweight or obese.
JOHN DARKOW CARTOON
Fat cats bringing us down with them
By J. SCOTT CHRISTIANSON
If you ever needed evidence that there are "two Americas" in our country, last week was it: One America that makes its income from investments and another America that makes its income from work.
Shelter needs help rescuing animals
By MARY PAULSELL
The beagle mix has been there a long time. He’s a staff favorite, but he hasn’t captured anyone’s heart yet. At least he’s indoors now, which is much better than making do in the rural neighborhood where he was found going through someone’s trash for something to eat.
Use your vote to set the U.S.
back on course
By WAYNE POWELL
I have voted in every election since I came of age. I always try to vote for the person, not the party. I am a proud veteran who served 10 years.
OPEN COLUMN
Abortion alternatives
should be promoted
Editor, the Tribune: I have always been "pro-life" and against abortion on demand as was allowed under Roe v. Wade. However, to overturn this law would be only a partial solution to this problem. Before you vote for a candidate for president, Congress or state office, please consider if he or she is really pro-life or is just trying to get votes.
OPEN COLUMN
Bicyclists, runners need
to don reflective wear
Editor, the Tribune: I recently moved to Columbia from the San Francisco Bay area. As an avid cyclist, I was thrilled to see such an active outdoor community of cyclists, runners and walkers, a group of enthusiastic people committed to the healthy lifestyle of exercise and activity. However, a rather disturbing phenomenon has come to my attention.
OPEN COLUMN
Capitalism means allowing
badly run businesses to fail
Editor, the Tribune: Six weeks before a presidential election, the sitting president asked for a $700 billion bailout for investment banks that made bad bets. I would not give $700 to a relative who needed it to pay off a gambling debt because, sure as shootin’, that relative would come back for more.
OPEN COLUMN
Leadership is needed
to stop violent crime
Editor, the Tribune: It is long overdue for the people of Columbia and, in particular, our political leaders on the Columbia City Council to stand up and say, "Enough is enough" to crime in our community.
ON ETHICS
Inaction not only option
By RANDY COHEN
During a tour in Baghdad, I befriended a man who, working for an Iraqi employer, emptied our trash, cleaned our bathrooms and shared our danger. He learned that he could double his salary by working for another contractor overseeing a mess hall, but he would have to show he had experience with menial kitchen work.
Congress is destroying our own liberty
By WALTER E. WILLIAMS
Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis warned, "The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in the insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well meaning but without understanding."
