PRAIRIE ROSES: To Events Fargo, the Historic Fargo Theatre and all others who were involved in the first "Fargo Show" Tuesday night. The variety show was a sellout. Local talent in the form of several acts filled the stage with music and comedy. The MCs engaged in lively banter with an enthusiastic audience. It was a great inaugural show. The sponsors hope to do at least two and maybe more such programs a year at the downtown Fargo landmark. If Tuesday's crowd was any indication, they're on to a good thing. After all, it's no easy task to fill a theater on a warm summer night in the middle of the week.
LEAFY SPURGE: To the over-the-top, round-the-clock cable news coverage of the story of the lost Scout in Utah. Yes, the youngster was lost. Yes, parents were worried. But he was not lost that long (short of four days), weather conditions were not life-threatening, and he was found in relatively good shape. Yet, to watch the 24-7 coverage of the event, a viewer might think the Lindbergh baby was found living with Amelia Earhart. What's next? A made for TV movie?
PRAIRIE ROSES: To U.S. District Judge Rodney Webb of Fargo, who knows what he's talking about when it comes to sentencing offenders who come before him. In response to a reporter's question last week, Judge Webb said he disagreed with U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' suggestion that federal courts were "drifting toward lesser sentences." Webb called the remark "a cheap shot." The judge is right. Moreover, no one knows more about what's appropriate to a case than the judge in the courtroom. Webb said as much. "It just galls me that someone would suggest they know more about handling a case before me," he said. Amen to that.
LEAFY SPURGE: To former North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer, who last week said that no Democratic senator has advanced an idea regarding Social Security. As a Republican, Schafer certainly should speak up for a Republican president's ideas. But he also should do his homework regarding the state delegation's initiatives. Fact is Sen. Kent Conrad has proposed plans to protect the Social Security trust fund and has offered his support to a private accounts plan that would not erode basic benefits. Sen. Byron Dorgan told state lawmakers a few months ago about his new retirement savings program that would be added to Social Security and other retirement options. Schafer should be out front for what he believes in. But he should get the facts straight first before making a sweeping allegation about all Democratic senators.
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper's Editorial Board.
