Editorial: Thumbs

To people who don’t wear seat belts.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety announced this past week that in January, 13 of 18 people killed in traffic crashes were not buckled up. In December, 18 of 23 motorists killed were not wearing seat belts. And February didn’t start well, either. In the crash on Feb. 1 on Minnesota Highway 13 north of Manchester, the driver from Alden who died wasn’t wearing her seat belt, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

It just goes to show that no matter how much public education is done, how many people die, how many tickets are given, there still will be motorists who don’t buckle up for some reason.

Live long. Enjoy your loved ones. Don’t end up in the paper because you were injured or died in a crash as a result of not taking one second to fasten a seat belt.

 

To Minnesota caucus-goers.

We always like to applaud people who participate in making America great. It takes a lot of pride in this country and its future to get out of a warm home at night and brave the cold winter air. With all the different candidates offered up by the Republican Party for president, the caucuses on Tuesday at Southwest Middle School were exciting. People had different opinions, and the caucuses allowed them to air those opinions. They also enjoyed seeing old friends and seeing new faces. We are glad Minnesota offers party caucuses, rather than a presidential primary election like so many states do. The caucuses have a grass-roots aspect that is valuable.

 

To the Albert Lea Daybreaker Kiwanis.

Thanks for donating $500 to Albert Lea High School’s Tiger Fund, which assists students in need with participation fees for athletics and the fine arts. Frankly, our dream is that someday schools will be funded well enough that no student will have to pay a fee to play sports — like in the olden days. Everyone, regardless of financial status, ought to be treated the same at school. There no doubt are students with parents too proud to ask for assistance but not enough money to let their children go out for as many sports as they might like. But until that fair system returns, there is the Tiger Fund. We urge any and all civic-minded groups to donate to it. Sports fight obesity, build character, start friendships and gain lifelong cherished memories.