"At worst it was the kind of power politics that gives politicians a bad name.

But whatever the final judgment of history, it is obvious that Sen. Conrad Burns didn't use much judgment of his own when he helped to arrange a $3 million grant to an Indian tribe in Michigan.

The facts, we think, speak for themselves.

Perhaps, it will turn out that Sen. Burns was entirely innocent in this affair, that there was no corruption or "undue influence," and that he was operating out of truly noble motives "to improve the way of life in tribal communities." We hope so.

But the senator still owes the state an explanation for why he was opening doors to help a wealthy tribe in Michigan get $3 million while reservation schools in Browning, Lame Deer and Rocky Boy by and large continue to find themselves shut out."

Get the Story:
What about Browning, Sen. Burns? (The Daily Inter Lake 3/13)

Relevant Links:
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe - http://www.sagchip.org
Saginaw Chippewa Voices - http://www.scitmembervoices.com

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