The Gazette, Colorado Springs, Colo., Dec. 26
As debate continues over the government’s proposed border-crossing program, one aspect of the current policy deserves closer scrutiny different treatment of our neighbors, depending on whether they come from north or south of U.S. borders.

Under the current system, guests from Canada with proof of Canadian citizenship are allowed to remain in the United States for up to six months without any visa. Visitors from Mexico, however, are limited to a 72-hour stay unless they apply for a tourist or business visa. Not only that, but Mexican citizens can’t go more than 25 miles from the border, while Canadians are free to travel throughout the United States. …

If homeland security were a concern, the restrictions should also apply to Canadians. After all, some of the Sept. 11 hijackers entered the United States from Canada, but as far as we know, none came in from Mexico.

Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, has introduced legislation to eliminate this unfair treatment. His bill would give Mexican citizens entering with visas the same six-month stay Canadian citizens enjoy. …

This treatment of our southern neighbors doesn’t stem from any security reason. It’s based on the decades-old fear that visitors from Mexico will abuse the system and remain here illegally. But the current system doesn’t stop those looking for work. It merely curtails tourism among Mexico’s middle- and upper-class citizens and engenders ill will between the United States and Mexico. Our system is downright unneighborly.


Misuse of authority
The Lima (Ohio) News, Dec. 29
In what might be one of the most egregious misuses of elected office, several states’ attorneys general went to Hollywood last week to meet with movie industry executives in an attempt to limit the use of cigarettes in movies. While many state attorneys general made names for themselves with the 1998 tobacco settlement, we fail to see how the officials have any business telling Hollywood what it should or should not put in movies, at least not in their official capacities.

Smoking is an unhealthy habit and it’s best for people if they never start smoking. Years of studies and common sense tell us these things are true. But how is it the government’s responsibilities to be sure children get the message? In earlier times, parents made sure their children knew what was good and what was bad. Have we really come so far from that ideal that we need Hollywood to impart those messages?


The world shows its good side
Tagesspiegel, Berlin, Dec. 29
In times of disaster, the world shows its good side.

People stand together in need everyone is offering Iran help after the devastating earthquake. …

Of course rich countries can do so particularly effectively, all problems aside.

Even the Americans are taking part, although for two decades they have had no diplomatic relations with the country, which President Bush counts among the ‘rogues’ and their military aircraft are being allowed to land.

In an emergency tensions are forgotten, so it seems.

Moderate tones can be heard from Tehran too. The military says help from everywhere is welcome. President (Mohammad) Khatami says Iran can’t cope alone with the disaster.

But not every difference has been swept away, of course. Even in this crisis, the interior ministry in Tehran says help from Israel isn’t wanted.

Still, maybe the momentum from the aid can be used to calm tensions further.

If the aid continues into preparing the quake-prone areas for the future, for example through a joint rebuilding of Bam, that could contribute to opening up the country.

That will help everyone far beyond the current disaster.


Calming consumer anxiety
Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo, Dec. 26
The repercussions from the first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the United States have been felt around the world, with many countries suspending imports of U.S. beef.

In Japan’s case, the United States is a chief beef supplier along with Australia. U.S. beef accounts for 30 percent of all beef consumed in Japan. If the import ban continues, beef prices will likely soar. …

It will not be possible to resume U.S. beef imports while consumer anxiety lingers.

It had long been said there was no reason to worry about BSE in North America. But earlier this year, BSE infection was confirmed in Canada. When we consider how BSE that originated in Europe spread to Asia and North America, it has to be acknowledged that containing BSE within borders is extremely difficult.

What kind of an inspection system is required to allow beef imports and exports? Isn’t it about time for governments to start international discussions about inspection systems, presenting their individual screening standards?

There is no need to fear BSE excessively. But in order to eradicate consumer anxiety, each country needs to establish a stringent inspection system. Retailers, too, should display reliable information about where and how the meat was produced.