Wows & Scowls
Wow: What does it say about the fitness of our society when one-fifth of our children are predicted to be obese by 2010, a scant four years from now? And with that trend accelerating, why would the Bush administration impose budget cuts that ended the government’s VERB campaign, which encouraged 9- to 13-year-olds to participate in physical activities? It’s further evidence that this federal government is out of touch with the needs of its citizens. Scowl: To date, 56 state legislature incumbents and challengers have signed up in support of “Brighter Pennsylvania,” the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association’s effort to stoke meaningful reforms concerning the public’s right to know. It’s a worthy agenda, and those reforms should start with making the legislature bound by the state’s open records law, which currently isn’t the case. But – no surprise here – none of our incumbent legislators are on the list. Their absence speaks volumes about how they really view public service.
Wow: To 50th District Republican candidate Greg Hopkins, the Ninevah farm boy turned Arena Football League star, whose name is on the aforementioned list in support of “Brighter Pennsylvania.” Hopkins may be a newcomer to politics, but at least he’s showing us a glimpse of his view of government, which appears to be that elected officials should serve and be accountable to the people. Not the other way around.
Scowl: Let’s try to say this with a straight face: U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum this week took to the floor of the Senate, giving a fiery speech in defense of President Bush, and while predictably hammering Democrats basically said that the other side plays politics on the floor of the Senate? Apparently the No. 3 Senate Republican doesn’t think his side engages in such things. Using Santorum’s own words, we say, “Oh, really? Do you really believe that?”
Scowl: Do you ever think the U.S. economy will start benefiting workers as long as the trade deficit remains at an all-time high, which it hit in July at $68 billion? That’s the highest level in history, and something that’s far more important to the average American than same-sex marriage or any of the other politically motivated wedge issues. “Voters are seeing the disappearance of good jobs, downward pressure on wages and the erosion of benefits, and know that Congress has allowed this to happen,” said Chris Slevin of the Citizens Trade Campaign, a coalition of labor, environmental and consumer groups. That sounds about right.
Wow: A report by a Pittsburgh-based research firm, Tripp Umbach, says the 2005 PGA Tour’s 84 Lumber Classic Golf Tournament benefited Fayette County by $65.3 million and the Pittsburgh region by $49.2 million, as part of a $181 million total business volume. The tally includes the respending of income pumped into the area by the tournament. While “you can never really pinpoint the exact number,” according to Jeff Nobers, 84 Lumber’s vice president of corporate communications, “there is no question there is a positive economic impact for the county, the region and the state.” That makes the event’s cancellation regrettable.