Hi-Line darts and laurels

Laurel — People from throughout the Hi-Line are in Havre for the District 9C basketball tournament this week. The tournament is an enduring tradition in the area. It is smalltown America at its best. Older people often look back at the tournament as a highlight of their high school years. We hope everyone — players and spectators — have a good time while here.

Dart — Often in the final stretches of a presidential campaign things turn nasty. The opposing sides go at each other with bitter venom. This year, candidates decided not to wait. Things have turned nasty good and early. This is especially true on the Republican side. Launching such vitriol may harm the candidates being attacked, but we suspect they are equally tough on those doing the attacking. Candidates doing the softer approach, concentrating on issues that affect the American people seem to be gaining ground, Maybe there is justice in politics.

Laurel — The Havre Blue Ponies wrestling team has won the state championship for the fourth year in a row. That is quite an accomplishment. Congratulations to the school, Coach Scott Filius and especially the wrestlers.

Dart — The National Right to Work Committee, a group that opposes union shops, is being accused of a list of shady dealings in the 2010 elections in Montana and four other states. Fourteen Montana candidates apparently received money from the group under circumstances that are not on the up and up. More details of the charges have been uncovered as Montana Commissioner of Political Practices Commissioner Jonathan Motl has released documents his office obtained.We continue our firm belief that people who donate to political causes should be upfront about it, let the public know what they are doing and comply with all state and federal laws. It appears that the candidates in these cases, and perhaps the committee did not.