Buffalo News Editorials
Flawed policy should change
Perhaps, finally, it is a change whose time has come. With the nation’s top two military leaders calling for an end to the controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays in the service, it is clear that the country and the military have come a long way since then-President Bill Clinton failed in his first-term effort to allow gays to serve openly. (Updated: 02/09/10 6:38 AM )
Tapping taxpayers
Williamsville school officials may have good reason for squirreling away millions of
taxpayer dollars, especially given wild fluctuations in state budgets and resulting state aid.
But criticism from the state comptroller for what seemed overly prudent practices, and the
banking of too much of that money, is valid. (Updated: 02/08/10 10:40 PM )
Slow start for high-speed rail
New York State may not have gotten all that it wanted in the president’s allocation of high-speed rail money—state transportation officials bear some blame for that—but that doesn’t mean there won’t be more funding to go after in the future. Increased cross-state connectivity could be a huge boost for the state economy, and the Western New York congressional delegation should continue to push for help. (Updated: 02/08/10 6:43 AM )
Refocus health care reform
In his State of the Union speech, President Obama apologized for the wrong thing. In his
budget, he persists in that error. (Updated: 02/06/10 5:53 PM )
Hospital systems rank well
Health care in Western New York has been under pressure to improve for many years, but there are bright spots. Most recent is a report that places the Catholic Health System and Kaleida Health in the top 100 of the nation’s most highly integrated health care networks. (Updated: 02/07/10 6:39 AM )
Crippling America
Ask any householder: There are serious consequences to running up debt. (Updated: 02/05/10 10:46 PM )
It seems to us . . .
RED ALERT: If you notice a sea of red around here next Friday, it won’t necessarily be a run-up to Valentines Day. But it will be an expression of love—and remembrance. (Updated: 02/06/10 6:58 AM )
FAA must act
When Deborah A.P. Hersman, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board,
compared the FAA's failure to address past recommendations on airline safety to "Groundhog
Day," she hit the mark. (Updated: 02/04/10 10:38 PM )
Bernanke deserved new term
Perhaps it is not strange that Ben Bernanke had more trouble winning a second term than any previous chairman of the Federal Reserve. The Fed was at the center of the financial storm that swept the country—both in terms of producing it and responding to it—and its actions were, and remain, controversial. (Updated: 02/05/10 6:44 AM )
Trial must be moved
Although the words haven't formally been said, they appear to be only a formality. The
trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed will not take place in New York City. It's a wise decision. (Updated: 02/03/10 11:55 PM )
We need more sun
Renewable energy is not yet ready to overtake more traditional forms of electrical power production, and won’t be anytime soon. But a recent announcement by New York Power Authority President Richard M. Kessel offers hope for the future, and adds some incentive to pursue ambitious fossil- fuel replacement goals. (Updated: 02/04/10 6:56 AM )
One small step
On the theory that you have to start somewhere, President Obama’s proposed spending
freeze isn’t the joke his opponents claim it to be. It’s not enough, to be sure, but
it puts him on the record and it takes a step in the right direction. (Updated: 02/02/10 4:29 PM )
Rethinking bus fares and routes
During these difficult financial times, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority deserves credit for taking a moment to consider ways to simplify life for bus and train commuters. (Updated: 02/03/10 7:01 AM )
Fill key vacancies
Key departments in the City of Buffalo may not be the "rudderless ships" one Common
Council member termed them, but they certainly have only fill-in leaders, and that can be an
issue in terms of short-term delivery of services and long-term strategic planning. (Updated: 02/01/10 10:59 PM )
Brimming with pride
New Era Cap Co. CEO Christopher Koch said the decision to maintain the company’s factory in Derby was strictly business, a matter of the numbers talking. But everyone in Western New York should take it as a reason for personal pride. (Updated: 02/02/10 6:52 AM )