Some people have no shame over things for which shame should be abundant. Former state House Democratic whip Mike Veon of Beaver County apparently is one of those people.

Even if Veon isn't convicted of charges stemming from the state attorney general's ongoing legislative corruption investigation, he should be greatly embarrassed that he has been charged in that probe.

If he is at all embarrassed, he isn't showing it via his arrogance in asking the House Democratic caucus to pay the costs — with taxpayers' money — of defending him against the criminal charges that he faces.

Veon is among 12 people associated with the Democratic caucus who were charged in July by the attorney general's office with theft, conflict of interest and conspiracy for allegedly using government employees and taxpayer money for electioneering.

Veon hasn't been a state lawmaker for two years, having been defeated in the 2006 election. Still, in a spirit of arrogance that he sometimes displayed as a House member, he believes taxpayers are obliged to pay his current and future legal costs associated with the corruption case.

He's wrong.

He argues that there's a precedent in place that justifies his request. If there is any precedent, implied or otherwise, it's time for that precedent to be broken.

But there are those who don't agree that a precedent is in place, including House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, who has decided that Veon isn't entitled to taxpayer-financed legal services and has rejected Veon's request.

Veon should accept that decision and withdraw his outrageous request.

On many fronts, the year 2008 certainly didn't merit a top rating — not anywhere near it.Fortunately, that wasn't the case with the Butler County District Attorney's Drug Task Force, which made a record 120 arrests of drug sellers —seven more arrests than were made in 2007.As important, if not more important, the task force during the past year maintained its reputation of having a nearly flawless arrest-to-conviction ratio."This is a tribute to the hard work the task force does out there," said District Attorney Richard A. Goldinger.The message that the task force delivered again last year is a firm one — that Butler County shouldn't be considered a safe haven by those who sell drugs."You can't stop it (drug trafficking)," said Detective Pat Cannon, who helps organize and lead the force of municipal police officers who make up the task force. "But I think we do slow it down."The arrest and conviction statistics confirm that thinking.The task force has been in existence for 12 years. In those years, it has seen each year build upon the successes of the previous year.On this page, the Butler Eagle frequently publishes the toll-free telephone number people can call to report to the task force illegal drug use or drug sales. That number is 1-866-363-3784.The task force's success is the county's success. It is to be hoped that 2009's arrest total — like 2008's — will be a task force record.

The 13 Butler County Prison corrections officers who grew beards as part of a fundraising project to benefit the local Autism Society no doubt feel good about their accomplishment.Most importantly, thanks to their beards and a raffle, they can take pride in having raised a total of $3,297 to benefit the society's efforts and to increase autism awareness. Of secondary importance, for those who prefer the look and feel of being clean-shaven, they are back to feeling like their old selves.To cap the fundraiser, the corrections officers shed their beards on Dec. 27 at the JC Penney hair salon in the Clearview Mall. A photo of the beard removal was in the Dec. 29 edition of the Butler Eagle.In the spirit of holiday giving, many groups try to do something special to benefit people less fortunate. The corrections officers' effort was based on a hope that great advances will be forthcoming in the treatment of people with this developmental disorder that is characterized by such things as impaired social interaction, difficulties in communicating and repetitive behavior.Those who see corrections officers as having only a tough side, based on the duties of their jobs, had the opportunity to see another side of these people who perform such an important function.The corrections officers deserve praise for their generous, whiskery approach to the holiday season. Perhaps with this year's success, they'll do something special next year as well.