The dimensions of the unfolding disaster in Afghanistan are becoming bigger and more daunting by the day. Once-staunch defenders of the "good war" are starting to break ranks.

Canada should lend Pakistan a helping hand as it struggles to stabilize its chaotic border region with Afghanistan, which is plagued by Taliban militants who threaten the entire region's stability.

A personal attack; Judging Obama

Moralists assert government health care is a right. Constitutionalists ask, "What is the basis for the right?" The Declaration of Independence provides the philosophical basis for the existence of a free people. It establishes that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are unalienable and endowed to the people by their Creator. The Constitution establishes the existence and the structure of a government to secure these rights consistent with the consent of the governed, "We the People."

The United States spends more money than any other country, and its elite institutions are the world's best. But overall the system is wasteful, fails too many and is falling behind other countries. No, the topic isn't health care -- it's higher education.

The issue: Wayne Schmidt and Michelle McManus sponsored recent legislation that would prevent the state's public universities, colleges and community colleges from banning concealed weapons on campus. Our view: Overturning existing school rules and allowing guns on campuses is bad public policy.

Similar sentiments? A chance to serve

By JOE VANDERMEULEN: Charter will take the clean, high-value bandwidth occupied by our region's only Public Access Television station (Up North 2) and Northwestern Michigan College's Educational Access station (Channel 13) and exchange it for unused, interference-plagued bandwidth at channels 96 and 97. Surely, Charter owes this community something better than what we're now getting.

The issue: The Grand Traverse County Road Commission may have thoughts about seeking a county-wide road millage. Our view: Tuesday's voting in Acme and East Bay townships doesn't bode well.