Argus

Greg Belfrage blasts the Argus Leader for being complicit in the public relations spin of Tim Johnson's office:

Johnson's office has clearly created the perception that the senator is getting the job done. Which raises the question...if things are going so well without him...why do we need Tim Johnson in Washington in the first place?

But I digress.

Now comes a column from the Imperial Editor of the Argus Leader, Randell Beck. Beck is taking issue with those who are concerned the public isn't getting enough information about Johnson's condition.

Beck says, "Anyway, it's my guess those who are griping about the shortage of information on Johnson's health didn't vote for him in 2002 and won't vote for him next year if he does seek reelection."

This is the kind of hypocrisy from the Argus Leader, and especially Beck, that I find infuriating. When he and the Argus want more information on completely trivial matters, such as the names of those attending the governor's hunt, their motives are above reproach. However, those wanting more information about Senator Johnson's condition are "griping" for political reasons. Does anyone really believe the Argus Leader's position
would be the same if this were Senator John Thune?

Beck concludes, "If we really are sincere about our senior senator representing us on the national stage, what's another few months of rehabilitation hurt? We'd do that for the trash guy or a teacher or uncle Bob. Why not Tim Johnson?"

No, we wouldn't do the same for the "trash guy" and THAT is the point.

Sure, we'd pray for the trash guy's recovery, but the garbage still needs to be collected. We wouldn't let the it pile up month after month, uncertain as to when he might return to work.

Why should it be any different for Tim Johnson, or any other elected official? The state's trash is piling up. It's not unreasonable to ask when citizens can expect Senator Johnson to return to work.