The Star's editorial board is considering a recent report that gives Alabama an "F" for its online disclosure of business-related documents -- which is surprising considering Gov. Bob Riley's strong record for transparency in government:
For his many successes, and others, the governor should be commended.
However, the 21st century is a different era, thanks in no small part to the Internet. And all governments — from small-town city halls all the way to D.C. — should use the Web to communicate with residents and conduct much of its business.
The Star also is looking again at the cost of the America's wars, and how we're paying for them:
The Bush administration continues to neglect the pay-as-you-go principle of war. Every major U.S. war has required a tax to fund the guns, ammo and troops needed. Not this one. The White House gave huge tax cuts to the richest 1 percent of Americans and left the bill to future generations. Through bad and worse in Iraq, this position has not wavered.
And this from Star columnist Hardy Jackson on last Saturday's Auburn-Alabama football game:
Now, friends — and you are my friends — I seriously doubt if you will ever find a group of more dedicated football fans than those assembled around Daddy’s TV between Thanksgiving Thursday and time-to-go-home Sunday to watch game after game after game, college and pro, waiting all the while for Auburn and Alabama to go at it.
But what we thought would be prelude and would set us up for the big night wore us out instead.
