Editorial: Iraq/Let the U.N. take the lead

Editorial: Iraq/Let the U.N. take the lead: To steal a phrase from the editorial, it's time for the Strib to step back and rethink. There are two major problems with the "logic" in this editorial.

First, the UN wants nothing to do with Iraq. It turned tail and ran when things got tough.

Second, the UN was in charge of the Oil for Sadam...er, I mean Oil for Bribes...er, I mean Oil for Food program. What makes the UN more reputable in administration of Iraq than the US when its last such endeavor was a corrupt mess?

Strikers' health insurance lapses

Apparently strikers have had to start paying their own insurance since the calendar turned to a new month. This article in the Pioneer Press really gets out the violin to serenade these destitute souls. I wonder if they're providing cheese with the w(h)ine.

I've used the COBRA system to pay for health insurance so I have empathy for the people who need to do that. It really opened my eyes to the true cost of providing health insurance. I wish the workers' reaction would have been to say, "Wow, now we understand what a great benefit we're receiving and why the Council can't afford to keep paying 90-100% of the premium." Instead, they say, "Wahhh, have pity on us. We don't have any health insurance or a job."

I probably shouldn't generalize like that because there are probably quite a few enlightened bus drivers who do realize the true cost of providing health insurance. It really chafes my butt that the Pioneer Press didn't seek out that viewpoint for the article.