The unexpected often realigns priorities.
Just as a leaking roof may soar to the top of home owner's to-do list, so questionable text messaging between a former House speaker and Capitol intern has prompted a review of the program.
The recent legislative session came to close with the resignation of House Speaker John Diehl, R-Town and Country, following news reports of suggestive emails exchanged with a House intern.
His successor, Speaker Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, has called for a comprehensive review of the internship program and has selected Rep. Kevin Engler, R- Farmington, to lead the study.
Even if the Diehl episode had not occurred, a review of the program - which appears to lack overall structure or standards - would be desirable.
Individual colleges and universities oversee their own internship programs. Liz Coleman, spokeswoman for the state Department of Higher Education said the agency "has no involvement with the internship programs at the Capitol."
The lack of overall structure among the schools is reflected in a lack of the oversight in the Legislature.
House Chief Clerk D. Adam Crumbliss said: "The supervising legislator is responsible for establishing the conditions, parameters and authorities for the legislative intern or interns assigned by a college or university within his or her office."
The observation that the program is fairly flexible is not necessarily a criticism. Flexibility can be beneficial in helping lawmakers and interns work together to define duties that are instructive for students and efficient for legislators.
The potential problem is reduced oversight and greater flexibility create more opportunities for abuse.
Engler's goal is to have the review panel investigate and correct weaknesses. "We're going to review our current policies and try to tighten those up," he said.
He likened the government to the business community when he said, "Most of them (companies) have policies to protect interns and to make sure that business is conducted in a professional environment."
In addition, he suggested an ombudsman program designed to assist interns who believe the atmosphere is threatening or inappropriate.
Lawmakers contend episodes of impropriety are the exception, and we have no reason to disagree.
The review panel must emphasize a program based on mutual respect and mutual benefits. But it also must concentrate on a program where relationships are exclusively professional, without exception.