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Edwards' tardy mea culpa

John Edwards' dramatic plunge into infamy is just about complete now.

Edwards' admission last week that he fathered a child during his well-publicized affair ranks right up there with former baseball slugger Mark McGwire's "dramatic" steroids confession. So, what else is new?

And it comes on the heels of another new book, "Game Change," that paints a sad, unflattering picture of both Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth.

He should have come clean about his infidelity long ago. Now Edwards appears to be acting only to pre-empt a new book by a former aide, Andrew Young, that would have removed all doubt about the affair anyway.

Once it appeared that Edwards might rehabilitate his legacy with years of hard work. He certainly seems intent on an attempt at redemption, packing a sleeping bag and heading off for earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

Everybody makes mistakes. But Edwards repeatedly tried to avoid being honest and accountable about his. "It was a very complicated set of reasons why he lied," a long-time friend, Harrison Hickman, told the News & Observer of Raleigh.

Not really. He thought he get away with it.

"I don't have any plans to return to public life," Edwards said through a spokeswoman last week. "I just hope that I can find another way to serve."

That's an admirable goal. If he's leveling with us this time.

Budget holes, potholes

More potholes on Greensboro streets are noisy and potentially damaging reminders of a tighter city budget.

The city decided to forgo some scheduled resurfacing in recent years to curb spending (no pun intended). That could mean more spending for motorists whose cars might be damaged. But it's also instructive to people who consider resurfacing only a cosmetic exercise. Neglected streets become more expensive in the long run without proper maintenance.

Fortunately, 2008 bond money and stimulus funds will cover future repaving -- but the bonds have to be sold first.

Until then, expect a few more bumps in the road.

Helping Haiti

It was no surprise that Triad communities have moved so earnestly and quickly to raise relief funds for the hurt and hungry in Haiti. We did the same when Katrina battered New Orleans and were ready to take in hundreds of displaced people -- and disappointed when only a few actually came.

Despite the outpouring of aid from around the world, with U.S. federal relief totaling $170 million, the need in Haiti is compelling and will remain so for some time.

Potential donors should be mindful of scams. But they shouldn't be dissuaded by strangled supply lines. In time, help will arrive.

And it will save lives.

Visit postponed, not denied

It's too bad President Barack Obama won't be able to attend opening festivities for the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. Running the country tends to keep a man busy.

There will be other dignitaries visiting Greensboro for the 50th anniversary celebration of the Woolworth sit-ins and museum unveiling, including Gov. Bev Perdue. Of course, there would be special meaning in an appearance by the nation's first African American president. Obama has referred to the sit-ins in speeches and understands their profound importance to the civil rights movement.

But, as organizers said, he has a standing invitation to come any time. That's one he definitely should accept.

When he does, he should bring his wife, Michelle, and especially his daughters, Sasha and Malia -- for the same reason other American families should visit.

What happened here changed the country.