Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell might not have asked state troopers assigned to his security detail to transport him to his destinations at excessive speeds. However, the nine times since November that his state-police chauffered, state-owned, taxpayer-financed Cadillac has been clocked at speeds of more than 100 mph, the governor obviously wasn't ordering his drivers to slow down either.

If the governor's car were to crash at such a high speed, the state's chief executive, his security personnel and whoever else might be involved could be dealt a terrible fate. What ramifications that would have for the governor and the state would be a matter for legal interpretation.

"The governor would never ask someone to break the law," said Kate Philips, a spokeswoman for the governor. But the governor's desire to get to his destinations quickly apparently is quietly understood by those who drive his car, and they obviously have had no qualms about accommodating his fast-paced schedule.

A Philadelphia newspaper has reported that during a trip to Steelton in May 2002, Rendell-the-gubernatorial-candidate urged his driver to go 105 mph on the turnpike.

Rendell has promised to begin monitoring his vehicle's speed. That's laudable. However, he shouldn't have to do that. Barring an emergency, it should be a standing order that the governor's vehicle obey traffic laws and posted speed limits as a matter of routine.

Rendell isn't in office to make NASCAR proud.

Butler County residents should look optimistically at the change implemented by United Way of Butler County in regard to the way it distributes the money it raises.Targeting the money for member agencies' specific programs, rather than to the member agencies in general, as had been the practice for 70 years, should have the desired effect of producing a greater community impact.Making that point should not be construed as criticism of member agencies' past handling of United Way money. It is simply an acknowledgment of new and changing programs and the need to strive for adequate funding of the worthiest efforts.There should be few inconveniences to the member agencies as a result of this change.

Butler County rejoices in the successes of its people. And, it is a joy when one of its successful people can make a visit on behalf of the community.That is what Michele Pawk will be doing when she performs on behalf of the Butler Arts Council Sept. 18 at the Succop Theater at Butler County Community College. The performance by Pawk, a Tony Award-winning actress, will be aimed at helping the arts council raise money it needs to buy several downtown Butler sites that will be used to create a cultural village.Pawk's performance, which will be called "An Evening with Michele Pawk," will include songs and anecdotes from her distinguished career. Pawk will greet audience members at a reception at the theater after the show.In addition to performances on Broadway, Pawk has appeared in films and on television.Now it is exciting that she'll be appearing back home on behalf of such a worthy venture.

The "Happy April Fool's Day to All" press release issued Thursday by Brad Woodhouse, communications director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, no doubt evoked laughter from some Republicans, as well as Democrats, in Pennsylvania. The hotly contested race for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination between incumbent Arlen Specter and his challenger, U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey, has been far outside the realm of friendly politicking.But when Woodhouse issued the release, which proclaimed that Specter had decided to retire to spend more time with his family, study Scottish Common Law and work on his memoir, "The Two Faces of Arlen Specter, Straddling the Political Fence and Other Lessons from a Lifetime of Unprincipled Political Leadership," Woodhouse ignored the fact that the Democratic Party has been the victim of Specter's government service for nearly a quarter of a century. From that perspective, Specter gets the last laugh, regardless of how he fares in this month's primary election.Prior to exposing the release as an April Fool's joke, the release allegedly quotes a source close to the four-term senator as saying Specter decided to retire after becoming frustrated and confused while preparing for a debate this weekend with Toomey."Arlen, bless his heart," the bogus source said. "He's flipped and flopped on the issues so many times he simply became confused and couldn't remember what he was supposed to say or what his most recent position on the issues are. He's just tired of dancing the Arlen two-step."According to the release, the so-called anonymous source went on to say that Specter had recently been diagnosed with MPPD - Multiple Political Personality Disorder.If Specter defeats Toomey and wins a fifth consecutive term in November, the Democratic Party, not Specter, will be the one in need of a visit to the "doctor of politics." Since 1950, Democrats have served only two full six-year terms and one partial term in a Keystone State U.S. Senate seat, and that's an anemic record by any standard.Rather than thinking up April Fool's jokes, Woodhouse should have spent the day hoping that November's last laugh isn't at his and his party's expense.- J.R.K.