Traverse City Record-Eagle

Other View: Afghanistan a political loss
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.
Other View: Help out in Pakistan
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.
Other view: Afghanistan and Kerry
Suddenly the quagmire known as Afghanistan is slightly less hopeless. For that, thank the perseverance of the rather unlikely diplomat Sen. John Kerry and the stubborn Afghan President Hamid Karzai's bow to reality " in that order, too.
Other View: Electronic cigarette option
Introduced in the United States two years ago, electronic cigarettes are no longer a novelty item but a popular option for many smokers " especially those who want to quit. Inhaling on the cigarette-shaped device activates a built-in battery, which heats up a mixture of water, nicotine and propylene glycol to give the "smoker" a vapor hit of the addictive substance found in cigarettes " but without the smoke.
Other View: Financial reform needed
Last week, Mervyn King, Britain's equivalent of Federal Reserve chairman, delivered a scathing speech calling for radical reform of the British financial system. Among his recommendations: Break up the "too big to fail" banks and separate risk-taking investment banks from meat-and-potatoes commercial banking.
Other View: Tolls could provide funds
Policy makers with an eye toward the long haul will take note of other solutions to road funding. The nation's expanding system of toll roads should be among them.
Other View: GI Bill delays disgraceful
After enticing hundreds of thousands of veterans with new benefits, the new GI Bill is experiencing major problems.
Other View: Enforce construction speed
By speeding, you are adding to the problem for everyone. And we think people who take a "me first" attitude to driving, particularly when construction workers are there, deserve the double fines.
Other View: 'Balloon boy' a costly stunt
Most of us probably have had enough of the "balloon boy" stories -- and still may be a bit put out that we were taken in by the hoax. However, we will relish seeing the heedless Heene parents punished for their outlandish publicity stunt.