PRAIRIE ROSES: To the family, friends and supporters of Woodrow Wilson Keeble. North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven, responding to the outpouring of support for the Korean War Medal of Honor winner, announced last week that Keeble will receive posthumously the state's highest honor, the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award. Keeble died in 1962 at age 65. The Medal of Honor was presented to him posthumously by President Bush in March. Keeble was the first full-blooded Sioux Indian to receive the military's highest award for heroism. The effort to honor Keeble with the Rough Rider Award began soon after the medal ceremony, and has continued since. Gov. Hoeven's announcement is welcome. Keeble's accomplishments qualify him admirably for the state award.
LEAFY SPURGE: To the Fargo Police Department for seemingly opting for a simplistic solution to traffic accidents on 32nd Avenue South: lower speed limits. The accidents appear to be caused by drivers making improper left turns, signal violations or failing to yield. The police say lower speed limits would reduce damage and injury from such violations. In other words, the police are going after the symptom, not the causes. Maybe better options are changes in the configurations of some intersections or more targeted and frequent enforcement at the trouble spots. The city's Traffic Safety Committee is not convinced that lowering the speed limit is the solution. The committee has it right.
PRAIRIE ROSES: To the students, teacher and parents involved in Moorhead High School's production of "High School Musical." After a weekend of special performances to raise funds for a trip to Scotland, the energy and dedication of the Moorhead folks could not be more focused. The talented students beat out hundreds of other high school theater programs to secure the invitation to the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August. The world-class venue is a showplace for some of the world's best youth talent. Fundraising for the Moorhead troupe has been under way, but still has a long way to go to cover the enormous expense of the trip. The students need the community's help. Dig in and contribute so the talented young people can travel to Scotland and be ambassadors for their community.
LEAFY SPURGE: To the U.S. Senate for letting politics get in the way of approval of the Aviation Investment and Modernization Act. The legislation stalled last week. The bill's aim is to modernize the horse-and-buggy air traffic control system and ensure a passenger bill of rights. The passenger portion of the legislation would require airlines to come up with plans to provide adequate food, water and restrooms when airplanes are delayed. Without a plan, airlines would be required to allow passengers to get off the plane after three hours. The bill also called for verified safety checks. The bill stalled because Democrats refused to let Republicans amend the legislation. Republicans then withheld votes to move the bill forward. So, again, politics scuttles necessary consumer protection legislation. Is it any wonder Americans hold Congress in such low esteem?
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper's Editorial Board.
