Editorial: Thumbs

Staff

Published Saturday, September 6, 2008

Up to “The War” by filmmaker Ken Burns.

Most of what is on the set is indeed a vast wasteland. But the medium does have the power to inspire and educate when it is at its best, and usually that happens on public television. It is isn’t often a newspaper editorial recommends watching television. When it does, that says something about the importance of the programming. The Tribune Editorial Board suggests you gather the family around the TV set at 7 tonight to watch “The War,” a 14-hour documentary about the deadliest war ever. Tonight’s two-hour viewing is the first of a seven-part series that airs nightly this week. You will not find it on Austin’s KSMQ (Albert Lea cable channel 2) because, the station programmer told us, it is a 25 percent PBS member. You will find the program on Iowa Public Television’s KYIN out of Mason City (Albert Lea cable channel 11, aerial channel 24). This is history we need to share with our next generation. Lest we forget.

Down to First Avenue and Clark Street.

When drivers stop on First Avenue, it is hard to see cars approaching from either direction because of the small rises in Clark Street rather close to the corner. The two rises form what in geographic terms is called a saddle, and First Avenue motorists must stop at the bottom of the saddle. Resident Michael Thistlewaite, whose daughter was injured in a collision there Monday, wants a four-way stop. This Editorial Board last year suggested making Clark Street stop and letting First Avenue travel. One way or another, the corner needs a solution. This is a common scene: A First Avenue driver inches out from the stop sign, proceeds, then suddenly a car appears over a rise, then the First Avenue driver guns the accelerator to get through the intersection.

Up to Logan Hansen.

Way to go, kid. Acing your ACT is not easy. You did the smart thing, though. You took it twice. On the first time, you had a good score, so that way the next time you could relax. Whaddya know? You got a perfect score of 36. It’s good test-taking advice for other students. Relax when you take tests. You might be surprised at the results.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---