PRAIRIE ROSES: To Hatton, N.D., teacher Fred Strand, who was named North Dakota's teacher of the year last week. The math teacher was honored at the annual convention of the North Dakota Education Association in Grand Forks. Strand has been teaching for 25 years. His classroom philosophy is broader than math. He said he tries to make math come alive in the classroom. He wants all his students to succeed, and goes the extra mile in class to help make it happen. That's what good teaching is supposed to be about. Congratulations to Strand for years of good work.
LEAFY SPURGE: To the partisan critics of Texas prosecutor Ronnie Earle, who, through grand juries, has lodged charges against U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas. Earle, a Democrat, has been vilified by DeLay and his supporters because the prosecutor is a Democrat. Little mention has been given that the majority of his attempted prosecutions have been against Democrats. But that's not the issue. Earle might be a grandstander, but that's not the issue either. DeLay's mouthpieces are doing what the Bush administration does: Demonize perceived enemies rather than speak to the substance of charges or allegations. Personalize the critics rather than speak to the validity of the criticism, if any.
PRAIRIE ROSES: To the North Dakotans involved in the rescue of pets from hurricane-ravaged New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Humane Society personnel from Mandan, N.D., made the initial trip to the Gulf to pick up pets in distress. The cats and dogs are in new homes in Jamestown, Minot and Mandan. They will be neutered, spayed and cared for until adoption. The effort to rescue the animals is one of those heartwarming stories coming out of the natural disaster. Good work by the North Dakotans.
PRAIRIE ROSES: To North Dakota State University equestrian team coach Bobbi Bingeman and the school's staff who are trying to move the program to varsity status. The program is a club, but if it moves up it will become one of only 17 Division I varsity equestrian teams in the nation. Interest is high, in part because of NDSU's expanded equestrian studies program. Also, students represent the greater interest among North Dakotans in horses and horse competition. Good move for the university.
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper's Editorial Board.
