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An anniversary worth celebrating

Can't blame them for celebrating a few days early. Nelson Mandela, fellow veterans of South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle and family members gathered yesterday to mark the 20th anniversary of Mandela's freedom. He was imprisoned for 27 years for opposing the white minority rule. He emerged, triumphant, on Feb. 11, 1990, apartheid crumbling. Mandela, who at 91 is largely retired from public life, was joined at his Johannesburg home by his former wife, Winnie, and some of their children and grandchildren. They toasted him as an inspiring figure whose sacrifices will never be forgotten. We'll drink to that.

READY OR NOT

Super weekend, coming right up

For local readers, the most-anticipated newspaper all week, arguably, was ... Midweek.

With Super Bowl Sunday just days away, the grocery ads to help plan those Super Bowl parties come in mighty handy. (Plus this aside to the wise: Beware the crowds this weekend at the big-box stores.)

BBQ meat and wieners? Check. Sushi and rice? Check. Chips and dip? Check. Now that's a super bowl.

WHAT'S UP, DOC?

Government medical role growing, like it or not

How's this for a reality check: Government is taking over the vast U.S. health care system, and it has nothing to do with Barack Obama. It's a simple combination of economics and demographics, according to a Medicare analysis published in the journal Health Affairs. Federal and state programs will pay slightly more than half the tab for health care purchased in the United States by 2012, a shift hastened by the deep recession (putting more unemployed people on Medicaid) and the aging of the baby boomers (millions of whom will sign up for Medicare at age 65). For all the hue and cry over a government takeover of health care, it's happening already - because citizens are clamoring for the coverage.