The Star's editorial board is taking a look at a new initative that may bring more ecotourism publicity to Northeast Alabama:
Northeast Alabama, close to major metropolitan areas yet with so many resources unspoiled by urban sprawl, should become a major tourist attraction.
The Longleaf Initiative will move us in that direction.
We're also checking in again on the water wars between Alabama and Georgia:
Gov. Bob Riley made the case that if the Corps of Engineers would follow its own guidelines and remain true to the 1993 draft manual which applies to Lake Allatoona, then more water would be sent our way. By agreeing earlier to release more water, the Corps seemed to accept the governor’s argument.
And, to round off Thurday's offerings, we're giving the next installment of the GAO report on the progress in Iraq:
Thus far, according to the GAO, Iraq’s security forces are (1.) replete with “sectarian-based abuses,” (2.) partly under the control of lawless militias, (3.) unable to perform independent of U.S. forces and (4.) distrusted by Iraqis. By that standard, Iraq security forces would not be able to stop a civil war, and might be participants in it.
We'll also have our normal fare of letters to the editor and syndicated columnists, led by Thomas Friedman of The New York Times.
