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Editorial Roundup: Excerpts From Recent Editorials

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By The Associated Press

Excerpts from recent editorials in newspapers in the United States and abroad:

July 15

Loveland (Colo.) Daily Reporter-Herald on why the oil industry can afford a cleanup tax:

If there's an industry that can afford to pay a tax to clean up its mess, it's the oil industry.

Yet the screaming has begun over the proposed cleanup tax inspired by the recent disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

Whether the industry is considered in the macro or the micro, the facts speak for themselves.

First the micro.

Transocean, the company that owns the oil drilling platform where the Gulf leak occurred, moved its headquarters from Houston to Switzerland to avoid paying U.S. taxes. It still has 1,300 people in Houston, and about 12 in Switzerland. It saved $1.8 billion in taxes, according to a study by Martin A. Sullivan, an economist for the trade publication Tax Analysts.

BP leases the platform from Transocean to take advantage of a tax break that permits it to write off most of the rental cost, a tax deduction of $82 million a year on that transaction alone.

Then the macro.

The oil industry pays far less than American business in general on capital investments - less than half, in fact. ...

The U.S. Treasury Department found that oil industry profits were high enough to cause almost no impact on oil output if tax subsidies were eliminated. Some of the subsidies, like the nation's mining laws, date to when the oil industry began operations and when the risk of failure was far greater than it is today. ...

Online:

http://www.reporterherald.com

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July 15

The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tenn., on federal appeals court FCC ruling:

Now that a federal appeals court has lifted a ban on even the accidental use of the F-word on live television, are we likely to see the word being used more frequently on broadcast TV?

Hardly. To be sure, broadcasters have significantly relaxed the rules over the years on what people are allowed to say on live TV.

But the likelihood is small that F-bombs and the S-word will be dropped with greater frequency from now on.

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals recently threw out a Federal Communications Commission policy that said profanity referring to sex or excrement is always indecent.

The court said the policy is unconstitutionally vague and amounted to a threat to free speech.

Opponents of the court's decision said the ruling opens to door - or the mouth - to unbridled use of the F-word on TV when children are watching.

But supporters said the decision merely means that the FCC must try again to come up with a workable policy that broadcasters can understand and enforce.

Stay tuned.

Online:

http://www.commercialappeal.com

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July 15

Daily News, Bowling Green, Ky., on Obama's new political correctness:

Political correctness has sprouted another ugly branch in the form of an edict from President Barack Obama.

The Obama administration has moved to drop rhetorical references to Islamic radicalism. His idea is to quit linking Islam with the hideous happenings going on in our world.

In other words, let's just pretend there's no such thing as Islamic radicalism. Maybe that's a stretch. However, it is nowhere near the stretch of not describing our nation's enemy precisely.

Besides the clunky PR effort, the president ordering such a silly change begs one to wonder what kind of leadership he's providing in the war on terrorism, one of smoke and mirrors or one of inspirational leadership to strategize our military through what its leaders see as answers to sweeping away the threat.

Know your enemy, don't rename them. ...

We're not at war against Islam. Sensible Muslims and other reasonable people understand that.

However, we are tooth and nail at odds with a group of people who have a radical view of the religion that is their sole motivating factor for eradicating those who think differently. ...

Instead of worrying about offending some people's view of how we describe cold-blooded killers, we should be exerting more energy and wise thinking to keep our country safe from suicide bombings and growing threats from our porous borders.

Nixing the term Islamic extremism should be so far down the president's to-do list that it can't be seen without a telescope.

Online:

http://www.bgdailynews.com

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July 18

The Joplin (Mo.) Globe on the postal rate increase:

A postal price increase is a bad idea at a bad time for newspapers, subscribers and the entire mailing industry.

The National Newspaper Association has joined the fight to halt the Postal Service's "exigent" price increase filed July 6 with the Postal Regulatory Commission. The price increases include a 2 cent hike on the first-class stamp, but a much more serious increase for the mailing of newspapers and magazines.

The increase will also affect churches, community organizations and labor groups that use nonprofit mail. It will affect businesses that use the mail for communications and advertising. It will affect catalog companies that send packages in the mail. It will affect everyone.

The new rates will be effective Jan. 2, 2011, unless the PRC stops them.

Our fight is in the best interest of consumers and anyone who mails.

In 2006, a price cap that held postage rates within inflation levels went into effect as a result of the work of NNA and other groups representing users of the mail. That cap allows increases only within the Consumer Price Index as tracked by the PRC, which is less than 1 percent currently. The U.S. Postal Service wants an average of 5 percent increase in postage. The proposed rates would weaken the cap and maybe destroy it forever. ...

Online:

http://www.joplinglobe.com

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July 20

The Boston Globe on problems with Apple's newest iPhone:

Soon after Apple released the latest iPhone last month, consumers found that holding the phone in the usual manner - palm against the back, fingers along the sides - can reduce the device's signal strength to nil. This, to say the least, is a major flaw: One should be able to walk and talk on a cell phone without gripping it in some exotic way. To fix the glitch, Apple is now issuing free plastic-and-rubber bumpers that go around the phones and limit interference with the external antenna. Who would have guessed a glorified rubber band could save one of the decade's most-hailed devices?

Apple's responses to complaints have been mostly tone deaf. Before issuing the bumpers, the company told unhappy customers to simply hold their phones a different way. And in a press conference last week, Apple CEO Steve Jobs blamed the media for the negative publicity. After releasing a mobile phone that wasn't entirely mobile when used as, well, a phone, it's hard to imagine what kind of press coverage Jobs had expected. It didn't help that Apple admitted that all past iPhones have displayed inflated signal strengths.

This is a cautionary tale for early adopters, who might be slower to line up the next time Apple releases a flashy new product. Rubber bands may restore the iPhone's signal strength, but the hurt feelings among the company's usually awe-struck fans might prove harder to fix.

Online:

http://bostonglobe.com

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July 20

The Forum, Fargo, N.D., on hidden airline fees:

If Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., is right, the nation's airlines would be smart to bring transparency to the plethora of hidden fees airlines charge consumers. The chairman of the U.S. House Transportation Committee led a hearing recently during which he issued this warning to the airline industry: The public will push back, he said,"and then Congress will act" if the industry does not show restraint. "That's not a threat," he said, "that's history."

The hearing was called to review the findings of a Government Accountability Office report that concluded airlines, travel agents, online travel services and other ticket distribution channels should be required to disclose fees for checked baggage, changed reservations and other services. Some carriers do so, the report said, but there is no consistency across the industry. Passengers don't know what they are paying for until they get to the ticket counter. One result is they get nickel-and-dimed into paying substantially higher costs, the GAO report said.

The nickels and dimes add up. Last year 10 U.S. airlines collected $7.8 billion in such fees. Delta (Northwest) was the leader with $1.6 billion.

Airlines respond that passengers benefit because fees keep ticket prices down. But that's counterintuitive. If a "low" ticket price is festooned with stealth fees, the base price of the ticket is meaningless when the out-of-pocket cost is high because of add-on fees.

The airline industry counters that passengers pay fees for only the services they use. But if the services folded into the ticket price are unclear, the customer really has little choice. ...

More pricing transparency won't hurt the airlines. Providing consumers with as much pricing information as possible is good business. Hiding fees can easily lead customers to believe they've been ripped off. And once that sentiment takes hold, congressional action is more likely.

Online:

http://www.inforum.com

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July 21

San Francisco Chronicle on bloated U.S. intelligence network:

The fight against terrorism has grown into an unchecked colossus, with dozens of federal agencies churning out duplicative data while private contractors take over government work. It's a runaway world, built on the urgency to combat a genuine threat, but there's no one in charge.

That's the impression left by a detail-rich investigation by the Washington Post of the secret intelligence and military world created by the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. In the aftermath, panicked and angry leaders of both parties gave a blank check and almost unlimited governmental powers to a gauzy world of spooks, generals, technocrats and empire-building bureaucrats.

The costs are well into the hundreds of billions. The results are anything but total victory: Last year a fumbling shoe bomber nearly set off a jet-plane explosion over Detroit, and an Army doctor went on a rampage in Fort Hood, killing 13. Both had left ample clues that they were trouble, but the country's vaunted intelligence network failed to pinpoint them.

No one is in charge, a fact that led the Obama White House to replace the last director of intelligence for failing to rein in and coordinate operations.

But the issue runs deeper than one appointee and his or her abilities. With so many agencies competing to track information, sift intercepts and write up their findings, it's almost impossible to stay atop the river of data. Too many are collecting too much.

The very shape of government is changing. An estimated 854,000 people have top-secret clearances, one yardstick for the size of the clandestine world. Of this, 265,000 are private contractors, not government workers. This second group does everything from designing spy satellites and civil defense work to prisoner interrogations and bodyguard work.

The public clearly wants security in a dangerous world. But an unchecked secret government isn't the answer.

Online:

http://www.sfgate.com

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July 20

TheRochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle on food safety regulations:

When people purchase food at a supermarket, roadside stand or restaurant, there's trust that the food is safe to eat.

Sometimes that trust is violated, although often unwittingly. Proposed new laws could help reduce the number of food-borne illnesses in the country, by giving new powers to the Food and Drug Administration.

Congress should follow the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine to authorize the FDA to shift from a reactive approach to focus on risks in food safety.

An important step toward doing that would be for the Senate to approve the Food Safety Modernization Act. ...

Among other things, the act gives the FDA the power to issue mandatory recalls, require preventive controls for all food facilities, make use of new enforcement tools, set new standards and inspect foreign facilities that export foods to the United States. There's a similar measure in the House.

The FDA is the right agency for these tasks, given that it's responsible for the safety of most foods, with the exception of meat, poultry and some egg products.

Thankfully, food in America is among the safest in the world. Still, 76 million people - about one-fourth of the populace - are stricken with food borne illnesses annually, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths. ...

Even with better federal oversight, citizens shouldn't leave it solely up to government to ensure food is safe. They must do their part by following safe food preparation practices in their own kitchens. After all, trust between supplier and consumer works both ways.

Online:

http://www.democratandchronicle.com

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July 17

Toronto Star on the International Criminal Court:

With so many "days" to mark during the year, it's easy to lose track. But July 17 was World Day for International Justice, marking the 12th anniversary of the Rome Statute that created the International Criminal Court, and there is a new reason to celebrate it.

In June, states that are members of the court agreed on a framework for prosecuting military and political leaders of countries that make war on others. This expands the court's scope from war crimes and genocide charges to include "aggression."

World War II's Nuremberg and Tokyo tribunals did prosecute aggression as a crime. But for years it was considered too politically explosive to revisit. Although aggression, expressed through deadly warfare, is at the root of other heinous crimes in the jurisdiction of the ICC, the court could not prosecute it until a definition was found that was acceptable to its 111 member countries.

Canada, one of the architects of the international court, helped to forge a compromise that allowed the new resolution to pass. It would give the UN Security Council primary responsibility to call for investigation of aggressive wars that violate the UN Charter. But the court itself, and individual member states, could also initiate probes.

Some critics felt the compromise gave the veto-bearing five permanent members of the Security Council, including the U.S., Russia and China, too much power to decide who was, or was not, an aggressor. Others were disappointed that the agreement won't come into force until after January 2017, if it wins final approval from the court's members, and ratification by at least 30 countries.

In the meantime its very existence may have a chilling effect on bellicose leaders, who already have reason to fear indictment on war crimes charges. Canada, and its allies who believe in the court, should continue their efforts until the resolution is put into effect.

Online:

http://www.thestar.com

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July 21

Khaleej Times, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on the international conference in Kabul:

The international conference in Kabul is undoubtedly the first of its kind in decades as the city hosted delegates from 70 states. It also gave Afghan President Hamid Karzai an opportunity to outline some specific goals he hopes to achieve in the coming years. The biggest news was Karzai announcing the takeover of responsibility of security of all 34 provinces by 2014, a milestone indeed. ...

Reports of infighting and power wrangling within the different wings of the security establishment and desertion and corruption within the ranks raise doubts over the President's assertions. Unless serious reform within military and police are undertaken it may not be possible to raise a strong and cohesive force. ...

In addition, while admitting that governance is still a challenge, Karzai wants international aid delivered through government to be increased to 50 percent. Presently, the total development aid channeled through Kabul is only 20 per cent. The main reason is a clear lack of confidence in the government's ability to control corruption and implement a transparent and effective system for distribution of aid. ...

Moreover, corruption in the government and administration remains a serious challenge, something the international community wants Karzai to redress with immediate effect. Even as some states are considering an increase in development aid to support coalition efforts on the civilian side, Kabul will have to come up with a proper mechanism to deal with these just concerns.

At the same time, Afghanistan will have to contend with international concerns over negotiations with insurgent groups. The conference is a good opportunity to deal with the issue and work out an acceptable strategy. It is time to decide ona feasible strategy and not indulge in endless blamegame, pushing respective agendas.

Online:

http://www.khaleejtimes.com

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July 19

The Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo, on increasing Chinese-Japanese business mergers:

Chinese companies are increasingly eyeing mergers and acquisitions with Japanese companies. High-end clothing maker Renown Inc. becoming an affiliate of a large Chinese textiles company is but one example. These moves symbolize the coming of an era of increased business management fusion between China and Japan. ...

Previously, it was a one-way street with Japanese companies buying Chinese businesses. The collapse of Lehman Brothers in fall 2008 changed the tide. Chinese enterprises, which continue to grow, have begun buying Japanese companies even though they have particular skills and business know-how. More management fusion between Japan and China via M&As should occur.

Some people fear there will be an outflow of Japanese technology. But if this is in a specific area that Japan simply cannot let go, then there are ways to prevent a skills drain, with the cooperation of business partners and, if necessary, government support.

Rather, in order to open up a path whereby Japanese companies can better utilize their accumulated skills and know-how, perhaps they should approach M&A proposals more aggressively. To help blend into the Chinese market, Japanese companies should consider how to get more people in China to understand Japanese business practices. M&As are one way of removing national barriers within management. It would be the quickest way to enhance Chinese appreciation of Japanese technology and tastes and demonstrate that these qualities will work to increase China's prosperity. ...

In the Chinese classic "Yi Jing," there is a passage that goes as follows: "When hard-pressed, things will change; when things change, a path will open; when a path opens, it will last." Thus, in order to adapt to change and open up a vision for the future, it is important to pursue the path of fusion that utilizes each other's strong points.

Online:

http://www.asahi.com

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July 20

Financial Times, London, on IMF lending resources:

The International Monetary Fund has a spring in its step. Two months after coming to the rescue of Greece with its share of $142 billion of EU-IMF loans, the Fund has hatched a plan to boost its lending resources from $750 billion to $1 trillion. The institution's latest bid for pre-eminence in the new global economic order has the support of South Korea, which hopes to unveil the plan formally at November's Group of 20 summit in Seoul.

The centerpiece of the plan is a "global stabilization mechanism" extending prearranged sovereign credit lines. The countries with the soundest finances would enjoy access to "flexible" credit lines with few strings attached. Riskier states would be forced to rely on "precautionary" credit lines, access to which would be contingent on strict fiscal conditions.

Some will dismiss the plan as political grandstanding by a South Korean administration keen to impress the international community at the first G20 summit to take place in Asia. Others will view it as vanity on the part of the Fund's ambitious managing director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn. They will point to the fact that it was scarcely 12 months ago that the G20 agreed to triple the IMF's resources from $250 billion. ...

To allow the Fund to be an effective guardian of stability in sovereign debt markets - a role that it has recently shown itself capable of playing - the G20 should give it the resources it needs.

Online:

http://www.ft.com

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