RESTRAINED IDAHO EFFORT BECAME MEDIA CIRCUS

Thankfully, the five children who barricaded themselves in their northern Idaho home to avoid authorities who wanted to place them in state-supervised care are now safely living with a family friend. From all appearances, law-enforcement authorities exercised appropriate restraint in dealing with the situation in an effort to avoid another deadly confrontation like that at nearby Ruby Ridge.

It was, no doubt, the proximity of Ruby Ridge that attracted the media circus which kept vigil and reported nonstop speculation for nearly a week.

The matter was resolved by a neighbor who was willing and able to talk to the frightened children -- something that could have been accomplished without either a ring of law officers or the remote-broadcast satellite trucks.