The winners and the losers

Winner: Larry EchoHawk is well-respected and liked. That much was abundantly clear this week during his confirmation hearing as President Barack Obama's new director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. One after another, senators of both political parties expressed their confidence in his ability to reform the troubled bureau — all except a cranky Sen. John McCain. EchoHawk, a member of the Pawnee tribe and a law professor at Brigham Young University, likely will be a great asset to the Obama administration.

Loser: Much of the Wasatch Front was left to wonder this week why 50-year-old Luka Wall Kang would apparently deliberately try to run down several students on their way home from school in Kearns. Luckily, no one died. Kang likely will get a chance to explain himself in court some day. So far, he has told investigators he was despondent. That's hardly a reason to drive on the sidewalk and run over children.

Winner: The Statue of Liberty will open once again to visitors who want to climb into her crown. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar made the announcement this week, saying the first groups would be allowed to climb the narrow 168-step staircase on July 4. That will be a fitting gift for the nation's birthday. The statue has been closed since 9/11 because of fears that it might be a terrorist target. It still might be, of course. But Americans need to show they will not be content to live life in fear, and this reopening is a good step in that direction.

Winner: Authorities along the Wasatch Front announced this week they are forming a task force to deal with human trafficking, helped along by some federal grants. Human trafficking is a polite term for slavery. Believe it or not, slavery remains a huge problem worldwide. Right here in Utah, 114 people have been provided some assistance recently, and more cases are being investigated. These have nothing to do with smuggling illegal aliens. Those aren't slaves. They come here willingly. Slaves are brought here against their will and forced to work or perform services, generally of a sexual nature. We're glad police take the problem seriously. It's hard to imagine a punishment that would be too severe.