Taking aim at an imaginary scandal

So where's the special prosecutor? Vice President Dick Cheney's hunting accident, in which he peppered a friend with a shotgun round, has generated a predictably over-the-top reaction from the Beltway press.

Yes, it is news. And sure, it's guaranteed fodder for water-cooler wisecracks and late-night comedians. "Saturday Night Live" will probably use it for an opening skit this weekend.

But Holy Moly, the dead serious, self-important posturing of the White House press corps has been a spectacle to behold. First there was the indignant reaction to the manner in which Cheney chose to release information on the incident. That set the stage for days of treating Cheney as the top story, with grim predictions that the incident will permanently "stain" the Bush presidency.

Sorry, but it's not a scandal, it's not a threat to the presidency, or the Republic, or the Constitution. The national media ought to quit pretending that it is.

Could a 160-acre farm tract become a new home for the county fairgrounds?

The possibility of moving the fairgrounds from its now-urban confines in Kalispell seems to arise every few years. The latest concept being broached involves the old Siderius dairy farm south of town.

At this stage it's just an idea, nothing more, but it's still an intriguing possibility: Build a new, roomier fairgrounds in a rural setting and develop the existing fairgrounds site with a mixture of commercial and residential uses.

Chances are the logistics and finances involved with such a proposal would prevent it from ever happening, but it's worth the county commissioners at least keeping an open mind.

Make that two titles in three years for Flathead wrestling.

With a dominating performance on the mats in Billings last weekend, the deep Braves team took its second Class AA wrestling title in the past three years.

The Braves did it with overwhelming numbers: 29 wrestlers qualifying for state, 17 reaching Saturday's medal rounds, 12 semifinal qualifiers and seven wrestlers making the championship round.

Even though the Braves didn't win any individual titles, their team strength was enough for a 32-point margin for the team title.

Congratulations, wrestlers and coaches, for capping a sterling season with a championship.