LEAFY SPURGE: To the campaigns of U.S. Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., and challenger state Rep. Rick Berg, R-Fargo, for trying to make a big deal out of a non-issue: minor mistakes on state-required financial disclosure forms. First it was Pomeroy's campaign charging Berg did not disclose a business interest, which Berg said was an honest mistake, which he corrected. Then the Berg camp said Pomeroy's state form was blank, although all the pertinent information is available on the congressman's federal disclosure form. It's all a bucket of political swill that turns voters off to the process. We realize party types and campaign zealots swim happily in that sort of swill. But most North Dakotans don't - and don't want to.
PRAIRIE ROSES: To U.S. car manufacturers who, after a long period of perceived quality problems, have gotten back into the good graces of American car buyers. A recent poll found Americans' battered love affair with U.S.-made cars has a new spark. Slightly more Americans now say U.S. carmakers make better-quality cars than Asian producers, according an AP-GfK poll. That's a turnaround from a couple of decades of Americans turning up their noses at American autos. The change confirms a clear commitment to quality by U.S. manufacturers - and it's showing up in showrooms around the nation as U.S. auto sales rebound in part because the companies are making superior vehicles.
PRAIRIE ROSES: To North Dakota Sens. Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad for convening a May 3 Devils Lake summit to address the need for long-term flood protection around the rising lake. Devils Lake's water level is up more than 25 feet since 1993. The lake has more than doubled its surface area, swallowing up thousands of acres of farmland, roads, homes, public parks; an entire town, Minnewaukan, could be swamped next. Despite the lake's steady rise, a comprehensive, effective response has not been forthcoming. The senators' summit, which will include FEMA administrator Craig Fugate, could be the start of developing a solution.
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper's Editorial Board.
