Ed Howard

    It comes with the territory.
     Every elected public official knows that when they have trouble with the law, they can expect to read about it in a newspaper. Maybe a lot of newspapers.
     Senator Danielle Nantkes of Lincoln was reported to believe the press had fallen into "sensationalism" with the publication of stories concerning her recent problems with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.
     Nantkes gave the commission a check this month to cover a fine having to do with the late filing of a report.
     A bank refused to honor the check. It was not a matter of insufficient funds. It turned out, the bank said, that Nantkes had failed to sign a required document so that the check could be honored.
     Nantkes had a different version of what happened - but no matter. She quickly came up with a cashier's check to cover the amount, something over $785.
     The view from here: it is easy to understand why the senator is sensitive about the whole thing, especially the headlines. Who needs that kind of publicity? Nonetheless, Nantkes was entirely wrong if she thought the reportorial crowd - in the words of an old song - "was doin' her wrong."
     First, when there are irregularities of any kind involving the financing of campaigns, or reports related to them, the public record on those cases is appropriately subject to scrutiny. The public likes it that way, the law allows for it, and the press should do its job in monitoring such things.
     Second, this was the second time Nantkes was fined for failing to timely file campaign finance reports. Any such violation is worthy of a news story. Two of them in one year demands a story.
     Third, Nantkes might be understandably sensitive when it comes to reporting on her difficulties with the constabulary. She was busted for DUI earlier this year. She paid the required fine and was otherwise not penalized. The case is common knowledge - because "it was in all the papers."
     There you have it.
     Supporters of Nantkes say the young lawmaker simply goofed in doing the complex paperwork that comes with filling out those reports on campaign financing. As for the DUI, a few other members of the legislature have been involved in the same indiscretion over the years.
     People make mistakes - but when they are elected by other people, their mistakes are sometimes public property.
     The higher up the political ladder, the more likely a politician is to holler "Foul!" when they screw up and find their names attached to embarrassing headlines.
     The politicos can argue that they were victimized; by the system, their political enemies, the press or all three.
     What doesn't serve them well is to complain that stories about their circumstances are unfair, simply because those circumstances are inconvenient and embarrassing.
     When you choose to live in the public arena, that is where your personal laundry gets hung out to dry.
     It comes with the territory.