Clarksburg Newspaper risks committing Journalism but saves Itself at last!

The Clarksburg Exponent Telegram attempts a journalistic high wire act by talking about Mollohan's problems without discussing the problems for which he is under investigation. The Sunday edition for April 30, has the headline, "Expert: Tough to police earmarks".

This is not breaking news. Unfortunately no one, let alone members of congress seem to be interested in policing them; and finally, the gist of the complaint against Mollohan is that 250 deficiencies exist in his mandatory financial filings with Congress.

One or two, ok; three or four, well, maybe; but come'on, 250 lapses causes an investigation. The staff writer, Gary A. Harki, is playing a shell game with the underlying facts causing the investigation. The article changes the subject to say, "hey, look how much money is going into the district".

The New York Times editorial had it right, "The congressman created what looks like a patronage machine that rewards him with campaign contributions from grateful nonprofit executives who often owe their jobs to him — one of them at a $500,000 salary paid by federal earmark." This is what a good local newspaper should address.

How about an investigation piece on how Mollohan's 300 Acres along the river will benefit as the Canaan Valley Institute improves his water?

Part of the allegtions against Mollohan is that his friends who run the non-profits also benefited. Harki senses no irony that the heads of the nonprofits, who benefited, come to Mollohan's defense. Isn't that a little like asking the Younger brothers if Jesse James was a bad guy?