Saddam Won't Stop Us -- With war apparently coming (perhaps, as you read this, we're already dropping bombs), we considered what to do about our Best of the Inland Northwest issue, scheduled for next week. We know that something so lighthearted might seem out of place as our brave troops are put in harm's way. In the end, however, we decided to put the issue out as planned. Holding it a week or two wouldn't be fair to those businesses that won or to the readers who filled out their ballots. Plus, I'm sure we'll all be more than informed via TV, daily newspaper and radio. So pick up your copy next week -- perhaps by then we could all use a little lighthearted diversion. And of course we'll be sure to include some in-depth war coverage along with the results of our 10th annual readers' poll.
Fatter Fido -- A British study shows that not only is obesity a huge problem for humans, but that our dogs are getting fatter as well. When physical therapists who work with both humans and dogs (this must be a special British degree) were asked to indicate what they thought was the biggest health problem for today's dogs, almost one-third answered obesity -- followed by traffic. Basically, we feed our dogs too much at mealtime and give them too many treats throughout the day, and we don't walk them enough. In other words, we treat them just like we treat ourselves. At least dogs haven't started smoking and playing computer games. Yet.
Afghanistan.com -- The BBC reports that Afghanistan has gotten its first international Internet domain registered. From now on, Afghani addresses will end with .af. The Afghani minister of communication told the BBC that Internet recognition is a sign of Afghanistan's growing autonomy. Accessing the Internet was impossible during Taliban rule. But don't get too excited yet: The first official Web sites are still under construction.
We're Not Making This Up -- We've receive a lot of letters on the war here at old Inlander HQ, and we can't print them all. But sometimes they have stuff that is just priceless. David Johnson of Spokane reminded us of the ribald but exceedingly relevant repartee of one Benjamin Franklin -- the first American, by many historians' account.
"A standing army," Franklin said, "is like an erect member. While it does enhance domestic harmony and conjugal bliss, it may also invite temptation and foreign adventures."
Franklin might have a been a bit more serious when he wrote that "Wars are all follies, with little or no advantage gained even by those that win temporarily. But useful ideas are deathless and permanent -- they shape the true progress of mankind."
Publication date: 03/20/03
