Clear the air on torture. “We do not torture,” President Bush told reporters on Monday. But some officials in the administration, most notably Vice President Dick Cheney, are lobbying senators to exempt the CIA from an anti-torture amendment attached to a defense spending bill. If the United States does not torture, what’s the objection to U.S. Sen. John McCain’s amendment, which the Senate adopted on a 90-9 vote?

The answer probably lies with the definitions of “torture” and “prisoners.” It’s clear from administration memos that a debate about torture took place. What happened after that is murky. Did the administration secretly change longstanding U.S. policy in such a way that it put this nation at odds with the international Geneva Conventions? If the president thinks the war on terror has rendered that treaty “quaint,” which is how it was described by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales when he worked in the West Wing, then he should make his case to the American people.

As it stands now, much of the world thinks we subject detainees to inhumane and degrading activity. Adopting the McCain amendment would send a clear message about American values.

Beginning of a dynasty? In Spirit Lake, Idaho, a mayor’s tenure was counted in terms of months and even days before Roxy Martin was elected four years ago.

The spirited town has voted in, burnt out or recalled 16 mayors in 25 years. The only other North Idaho “community” with that sort of record is Fighting Creek, which holds a mock election every year at the local tavern to “elect” via a stuffed ballot box a chief executive whose sole responsibility is keeping the outhouse supplied with toilet paper. Not only will Martin become the first Spirit Lake mayor to serve out a term in more than 20 years, but she captured an easy majority of the vote in a four-person field Tuesday to win a second, four-year term.

Mayor Martin lapped the field despite sour-grapes accusations by challengers that she lies, that the city is corrupt, and that city Clerk Barbara Brown actually runs city affairs. So, why wasn’t there a recall effort against Martin? Apparently, residents are tired of the town’s stigma derived from its constant political turmoil. That, or the community is finally growing up and learning to get along – somewhat.