After arduous and even life-threatening exterior illumination efforts, Clark W. Griswold has the family gathered in the front yard for the much-anticipated lighting ceremony in the holiday classic "Christmas Vacation." But as the assemblage flutters drum-rolling tongues and Clark belts out the opening of "Joy to the World" with season-inspired gusto, he falls flat on his figurative face. The damn lights don't work. In Coeur d'Alene today there isn't much joy, either. After weeks of ardor and anxiety, the much-anticipated illumination in Arfee's murder mystery fell flat on its face. A press conference that so many hoped would answer every salient question and restore desperately needed confidence came off instead like a surprise visit from Uncle Eddie. The question on everybody's mind - precisely how was justice served in the killing of Craig Jones' pet, which was shot when it barked inside a van as a police officer approached? - went unanswered. And if city officials have it their way, the question will remain unanswered because it's a "personnel issue"/Coeur d'Alene Press Editorial Board. More here.

DFO: I usually don't run 2 editorials on the same subject, with the same opinion. But the shooting of Arfee and the press conference held Friday to disclose information about the case warrant it this time. Thoughts?