Reversal of fortune: Giving the money back

Sen. Conrad Burns is to be commended for quickly reversing course last week and deciding to return campaign contributions associated with indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

When first asked about the contributions, a Burns spokesman said the money would not be returned because it had already been spent. Two days later, however (and following an Inter Lake editorial encouraging him to do so) the senator announced that he would return $150,000.

"The contributions given to my political committees by Jack Abramoff and his clients, while legal and fully disclosed, have served to undermine the public's confidence in its government," Burns said.

He might have added that given the nature of the public's relationship with government today, there is not a whole lot of confidence to spare.

Interestingly, Rep. Denny Rehberg and Sen. Max Baucus also returned money this past week that had come from Abramoff sources. They also should be commended.

Now, let's hope that none of the members of Montana's congressional delegation get tarnished further by the corruption probe against Abramoff. Supposedly, the lobbyist is close to a plea deal and has been cooperating with investigators. That will turn up the heat on a lot of folks in D.C., but for the sake of all Montana, we hope that Burns, Baucus and Rehberg have nothing to hide.

Subtle illumination will mark Christmas Eve on the traditional luminaria route along Rose Crossing north of Kalispell.

In one of the area's more impressive holiday traditions, two miles of the road - between U.S. 2 and Whitefish Stage Road - will be lined with candles glowing inside paper bags.

The luminaria display begins around 4:30 p.m. and lasts well into the night.

It's a holiday gift from Rose Crossing neighbors that has been a highlight of the Flathead holidays for 20 years. It's well worth your time to drive the road Saturday night.

A hearty Merry Christmas to all the volunteers who bring this tradition to life every year.

Merry Christmas, too, to all the youngsters (and their parents) who pitched in for food drives at local schools.

Canned goods and other nonperishable foods piled up high in the hallways as evidence of everyone's generosity.

Peterson School, for example, collected 2,553 food items - more than twice as many as last year - that will benefit the food bank and Salvation Army.

Similar results were noted at many other schools.

Such generosity is heartwarming.