Editorial: Thumbs

To rising gas prices.

Political turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa seems to be causing gasoline prices to go up. Economists say the increases could slow the economic recovery in the United States. Motorists are facing the highest gas prices since October 2008. Moreover, the usual increases in spring and summer — due to increased domestic demand — have not hit yet. Expect a return of the term “stay-cation.”

To liberty in the Middle East.

If U.S. consumers are going to have to pay more at the pump, at least they can take solace in that millions of people in the Middle East and North Africa are fighting for freedom and liberty. To put it bluntly, their leaders could blame the west for only so long. Eventually, the people figured out to blame their leaders. Having stable democracies in the Middle East might sound like a long-shot, but remember that a stable democracy was what America was trying to set up in Iraq, in hopes of the idea spreading elsewhere.

To sixth-grader Katie Boettcher.

Getting seventh place in the regional final spelling bee is quite an achievement. We at the Tribune always appreciate people who love words. Boettcher will get to be the alternate for the Southeast Minnesota Final. She steps in if one of the other students can’t make it. We hope she gets the opportunity and ends up going to Washington for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Yes, that’s the one aired on ESPN.