editorials

"My conscience is absolutely clear," said Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. Like most people who feel a need to declare a clear conscience, Conrad had something to feel guilty about. When taking out mortgages for a beachfront vacation home and an apartment building, Conrad received favorable treatment from Countrywide Financial Corporation. On the vacation home alone, the discount on loan fees was worth more than $10,000. He has donated a like sum to Habitat for Humanity.

Conrad told the New York Times that he'd been treated unfairly in the past on property loans, so when he wanted to buy the beach house he called a friend -- former Fannie Mae head and Minnesotan James A. Johnson -- who happened to be speaking at that moment with Countrywide chief Angelo Mozilo. And although Mozilo turned the senator over to a loan officer, it's difficult to imagine that the company dealt with him as just another customer, or to suppose that Conrad expected to be treated as one. He volunteered to the Times that when applying for mortgages, he almost always talks with "the No. 1 or No. 2 person." He added, "I don't know what I would have done differently."

Most North Dakotans know what they would have done differently -- starting with not expecting the head of a mortgage corporation to take their call, let alone extend preferential treatment on a loan. Rather than declare his clear conscience, Conrad should show a little humility and demonstrate an awareness that he does not somehow deserve a better deal than everyone else gets -- and that, when one comes along, he mustn't accept.

Bob McFarlin was the voice and face of the Minnesota Department of Transportation during the nightmare of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse and the turbulent months afterward. On June 27, he'll walk out the agency's door for the last time.

McFarlin earned both praise and criticism during his 14 years at MnDOT, particularly during the two months he filled in as acting commissioner after Carol Molnau departed. McFarlin made tough calls to close bridges -- such as St. Cloud's Hwy. 23 span -- after a ramped-up inspections program found gusset plate problems. Legislators, even those who were some of the agency's most strident critics, often praised McFarlin for responding promptly to their questions.

Serving as backup for Molnau and then as acting head of the agency made McFarlin a lightning rod for a public frightened by the collapse of a structure that so many used on a daily basis. Doubtless, his was a difficult and thankless task. McFarlin deserves credit for shouldering this responsibility and then gracefully turning over the reins to Tom Sorel, the new commissioner appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty this spring.