THE TRIBUNE'S VIEW
Redistricting
By HENRY J. WATERS III, Publisher, Columbia Daily Tribune
Not long ago, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the famous Texas redistricting case involving a nefarious move in 2003 by legislative Republicans to gerrymander legislative districts in midterm. Democrat lawmakers were so upset they temporarily moved out of state to prevent a vote, ultimately to no avail.

JOHN DARKOW CARTOON

OPEN COLUMN
It’s a strange kind of piety that believes killing is right
Editor, the Tribune: While walking around the air show tarmac with Jesus’ picture and the words "Who would Jesus bomb?" I discovered a sect of Christians who believe that Jesus would bomb me personally.

OPEN COLUMN
Medical breakthroughs often met with skepticism
Editor, the Tribune: Recent letters attacking Sen. Tom Eagleton’s position on stem cell research revive memories of the challenges most great medical breakthroughs have faced. For centuries, those seeking new cures have faced attack from the uninformed or deeply superstitious.

OPEN COLUMN
Art interpretations are fine, but leave the analysis alone
Editor, the Tribune: I appreciated some of Mike Martin’s imaginative interpretations of the painting "Columbia Rising" that he wrote in his May 18 letter titled "Try to unravel the mystery in Da Vidspear’s painting."

Liberals have been waiting for Haditha
By MONA CHAREN
No one yet knows what happened last November in Haditha, Iraq. There are accounts - unconfirmed - of a massacre perpetrated by a unit of enraged Marines against unarmed civilians. Unless I miss my guess, this is about to become the biggest story in the world.

Diplomacy is great - if it’s sincere
By JULES WITCOVER
In keeping with President George W. Bush’s stated intention to put aside his swaggering cowboy lingo, he has finally agreed to join European and other allies in trying to talk Iran out of building nuclear weapons.

STAY IN TOUCH
The Tribune welcomes your comments on issues, and we offer several ways to contact us.