Editorial: Thumbs

Published Saturday, October 31, 2009

UP — To the unsung, hard-working students.

Student-athletes get a lot of attention, whether in the newspaper, on TV, over the radio, inside the local hangouts and at school itself. Their achievement are visible. But this thumbs up goes to the students who get good grades, lead student organizations, volunteer in the community and busily go about their activities, often with a drive and zeal for which student-athletes are noted but without a crowd to applaud their successes. Kudos to you. Enjoy your inner satisfaction.

DOWN — To dismissals of the H1N1 importance.

It’s not hard to hear some people quickly dismiss the government’s emphasis on the H1N1 awareness or the media’s coverage of it as merely hype. Discerning readers, listeners and viewers of media know that just because a topic comes up frequently doesn’t mean it is hyped. Yes, at times, it is, especially cable news coverage of Hollywood. But other times frequent coverage can mean there is important information people should know. No, frequent H1N1 coverage doesn’t mean everyone will keel over and die this fall. It does mean there is an influenza virus quite unlike the seasonal flu that comes and goes each year. Keeping an eye on it is a good precaution that any sensible person would expect from their government and from their news media.

UP —To the Halloween festivities.

The downtown supporters in Albert Lea sure have made their location the place to be. The downtown had Ride the Broom Down Broadway on Thursday, with tricks and treats at businesses and a pumpkin carving, costume contest, dinner and other fun. On Saturday, ghost hunters were at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. But not to be outdone, Northbridge Mall held a magic show on Saturday, with trick-or-treating afterward. And even the east end of town got into the fun with the Power 96 Halloween Carnival at Country Inn & Suites on Friday. Albert Lea sure knows how to do Halloween.

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