I had a nice trip to Arizona. The weather was perfect. Sweater weather. I didn't get away from email. I found a satellite library location with wireless.
I have always appreciated libraries. They are important to communities. The first public library in the country opened in Peterborough, New Hampshire, in 1833. Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie helped build more than 1,700 public libraries in the US between 1881 and 1919. With the failing economy, I bet libraries are seeing an increase in patrons.
The other thing I hope will increase is personal responsibility. In my newspaper, the Des Moines Register, there is a column called, "My Two Cents Worth." Several people complained about speed traps in Des Moines. They complained that the police were unfair, the cost of the speeding tickets and the bad impression it gave of Des Moines. I say, "Grow up." If you don't want a speeding ticket, don't speed.
So this is my pitch for more personal responsibility, support for libraries and nice weather.
