Editorial: Thumbs

To Elizabeth Taylor.

Many actors and actresses achieve celebrity status, some greater than others. We might never again see one who achieves as high of a level of fame as Elizabeth Taylor did. She definitely is on anyone’s top-10 list for Hollywood celebrities in the 20th century, and, as writer Ed Shannon reminds us today, she graced our fine community with an overnight stay in 1950.

To the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce.

Does the chamber get enough credit for all that it does in the community? It hardly asks for credit, but it sure does a lot. It runs the annual Third of July Parade; it holds the debates to let people get to know local candidates; it hosts the annual Ag Luncheon; it organizes the Third Grade Farm Tours; it is involved closely with the CVB on many festivals such as the Big Freeze; it leads the way on workplace wellness; it represents business in city, county and state issues, even if it means standing up to the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce; it organizes the sales of Christmas ornaments with local scenes on them; it assists in hosting monthly Business After Hours gatherings; it is involved in the Regional Business Expo; it organizes a handy business directory; it circulates brochures and maps; it assists and welcomes entrepreneurs; and it awards scholarships. Among other things.

Like or dislike the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce’s stances on political matters, no one can deny its outstanding record of community involvement. That record stacks up well when compared to any chamber of commerce anywhere.

To a third war.

It’s bad enough that the United States is letting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan drain its treasury while the country can’t even afford teachers and such great domestic programs like Head Start. Now the country has launched another “coalition” war against Libya.

Let’s hope this one doesn’t become a quagmire, too. And if Col. Muammar Ghadafi is removed from power, let’s hope the new boss isn’t the same as the old boss.