Skepticism seems a logical reaction to the formidable charges given the intrepid souls of the task force and commission studying — well, it’s probably redundant to recite it all again.

True enough, this editorial board has contributed substantially to criticism of how this type of committee (like the five earlier Veishea violence responders) often bogs down without accomplishing much.

Fine. Whatever. It’s past time to look forward on this topic — we’re sick and tired of whiny naysaying.

We also concede we aren’t smart enough to know precisely what questions the task force and commission should ask and what answers they ought to seek in carrying out their broad orders from the president’s office. What we do know is what attitudes won’t work.

Any of these sniveling philosophies — from rioters, riot police or riot researchers — will erase any chance of a positive outcome faster than a plunging Lincoln Way lamp post:

* Apathy. One working group is trying to reconstruct all the events of the long night — which means it needs your input. Group members are canvassing the usual suspects for witnesses — but you can demonstrate some initiative by volunteering your first-person testimony to chairman Pete Englin, and by encouraging friends, even those who may have gone home for the summer, to do the same. Every little bit will help.

* Anonymity of sources. Any possible gains from protecting a witness’ identity is far outweighed by the loss of accountability for that same witness. We strongly encourage the task force to avoid anonymity completely — we’re sure not many will respond pleasantly to an empty “trust us.”

* Agendas. This goes both ways. The riot must not be an excuse for an ill-will attempt by Ames residents or police to rewrite alcohol law. Likewise, students and others who feel wronged by police or others will have to yield eventually to the ruling of an objective authority.

* Assumptions, lies and embellishments. Anyone who volunteers or is asked to give an account of any type to any group in the next four months should tell the truth — everyone should be on the same side, right? The truth is the only way to determine real answers to the problems of Veishea and Ames.

* Accounts relayed to task force members secondhand — or thirdhand, or fourthhand or so on.

And guess what? Englin’s group has already taken the positive step of relying only on firsthand accounts of what happened “for credibility purposes,” according to the group’s June 8 minutes.

Follow their lead. Doing this the right way — and productively — has become the responsibility of all 50,000-plus who called Ames home during Veishea.