>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

The United States is the most powerful nation on earth and has one of the strongest economies. As such, the U.S. sets the tone and comes up with many of the solutions be they economic, scientific or militaristic for what ails the world. Still, despite our dominance in global affairs, we are not an island. We have to work with others in making the world a better place.

Global warming is an issue facing every nation. While others have recognized the impact greenhouse gases are having on the earths atmosphere, the United States isnt prepared at this time to be a player in an international effort to find solutions. The U.S. has rejected an international pact negotiated in 1997 that would require all nations to address the causes of global warming. President Bush commissioned a study by the National Academy of Sciences to determine what steps should be taken to reduce greenhouse gases.

The study determined that global warming is a concern and that temperatures are increasing. Bush, who backed away from a campaign pledge to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, is faced with determining a strategy for the U.S. On Monday he announced that more research is needed into technological solutions that would not hurt the economy.

The U.S. needs to be a leader in addressing the issue. Science has proven that global warming isnt just a concoction of environmentalists. What we do on earth impacts the earths atmosphere. All of us know that.

The question facing Bush and those who question the economic costs associated with addressing global warming is, Do we or do we not care about the impact we have on future generations?

If the rest of the world sees global warming as an issue, and if science sees global warming as an issue, the United States had better figure out how it can be part of the solution.

TAKE IT TO THE BANK

You cant spend the money yet, but President Bushs answer to the countrys economic doldrums will soon be in our mailboxes. The rebates from the Tax Relief Act of 2001 will be mailed out starting in July. Oregon checks will total $482 million.

The rebates will be sent according to the last two digits of Social Security numbers. In case you missed it, heres when the checks will be mailed:

For those numbers ending in:

00-09: Week of July 23.

10-19: Week of July 30.

20-29: Week of Aug. 6.

30-29: Week of Aug. 13.

40-49: Week of Aug. 20.

50-59: Week of Aug. 27.

60-69: Week of Sept. 3.

70-79: Week. of Sept. 10.

80-89: Week of Sept. 17.

90-99: Week of Sept. 24.

Indeed, the checks are a sure thing. Youll just have to wait a little while for yours to come.