Editorial Board

The relatively quick end to Federal Aviation Administration furloughs that stranded and delayed air passengers last week was the result of sequestration-related budget cutting being put in the hands of managers, rather than politicians or others who are not making daily decisions. The de-politicization of sequestration seems to result in the cuts being less of a burden to Americans. The same wisdom has the potential to be applied to furloughs for civilian defense workers at Hill Air Force Base and other bases.

Thumbs up: To the Safe Kids Day Fair that was held recently in Ogden. The event, at the Weber County Fairgrounds, provides excellent instruction to children on health and wellness.

With trillions of dollars of deficits, the idea of Congress having control of spending is akin to a grossly obese man with a severe eating disorder being asked to guard an unlocked closet containing the tastiest desserts. If one wants to see the comedy of pols who preach fiscal prudence actually managing the nation’s budget, head to the airstrip at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.

Last week, after losing a Senate vote on a gun control measure that would have expanded gun purchase background checks, President Barack Obama indulged himself with an unprecedented presidential temper-tantrum. He called it a “shameful day” in Washington, claimed that those opposing gun control had “no coherent argument,” and accused the “gun lobby” of having “ willfully lied.” It was an act of petulance, not statesmanship.

Thumbs up: To George Thorsted, age 93, who was a member of Ogden High School’s first graduating class, of 1938. Thorsted recently received a tour of the newly renovated Ogden High School.

The injunction in Ogden that bans members of the Ogden Trece gang from associating with each other and being near guns, drugs or alcohol in public has been a success. It has harmed the gang’s ability to commit crime in Junction City. Both police and prosecutors agree that the 200-plus arrests due to the injunction have resulted in a drop in gang activity, not only for Trece, but other area gangs. 

“We’ll find out who did this, and we’ll find out why they did this.”

Those were appropriate words, spoken by our Commander in Chief, President Barack Obama. Federal officials already regard the bombings in Boston as a planned, terrorist attack. That makes it an act of war against the United States.

What happened in Boston on Monday afternoon is not uncommon in some parts of the world. Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other areas live with daily threats of terrorism. But that does not mitigate the horror of what occurred in Boston. Two bombs destroyed steel-enforced bleachers, tore limbs from bodies and turned a day of celebration into an infamy. More than 150 persons were injured. As of last night, three deaths were reported, one an eight-year-old boy, near the finish line to cheer his father’s finish at the marathon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims.