Debate far better than ad mania

Last Sunday's debate between Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., and Democratic challenger Jon Tester was immensely valuable for voters - especially compared to the vaporous campaign advertising that's already swirling through Montana's airwaves.

On Sunday, both candidates, in their own words, reasonably articulated their positions on the big and important issues: Iraq and American foreign policy; illegal immigration; taxation and fiscal policy.

Campaign ads, on the other hand, can often confuse, manipulate and irritate. Does Tester support flag burning and gay marriage? Burns' ads say yes, but Tester's ads say no. Which is it? And are those really the biggest issues in the land for a U.S. senator to be concerned with?

We believe the public is increasingly more adept at detecting and then detesting political ads that toy with them. Hearing candidates debate is far more informative, authentic and interesting.

A simple request for Burns and Tester: more debates, please.

It won't be the same without Whitefish's spectacular Fourth of July fireworks show over Whitefish Lake this year. The annual display has been a crowd-thrilling tradition for decades.

Organizers cited safety concerns in making the decision to put the show on a one-year hiatus, and it makes sense to err on the side of caution.

Longtime pyrotechnician Dave White, who has conducted the display since 1977, is unable to do the show and his replacement was unavailable this year. A trained crew also was lacking and the launching platform's stability was questionable.

The good news is that Whitefish fireworks will be back next year with a new pyrotechnician, a new crew and a new platform.

This year, there's still plenty of entertainment to be found in the Flathead on July Fourth. Most communities are offering their own brand of fun, from a first-ever boat parade at Big Arm to an old-fashioned social at Conrad Mansion, complete with limousine rides. So go forth on the Fourth and celebrate independence.

There's now a new standard in philanthropy.

Warren Buffett, the world's second-richest man, is giving away $37 billion of his $44 billion fortune.

Most of his largesse will go to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with the remaining billions headed to other philanthropic foundations.

The Gates Foundation donation will help efforts to seek cures for some of the world's worst diseases and improve American education.

"There is no reason we can't cure the top 20 diseases," Bill Gates said.

That's a lofty goal, but one that might not seem so unreachable now, thanks to Buffett's generosity.