Father of Our Country and the Mother of All Library Fines

After the first hundred years, it just slips your mind: George Washington has two books overdue at the New York Society Library. The Father of Our Country was supposed to return the books, “Law of Nations” and a volume of debates from the British House of Commons, by Nov. 2, 1789.

On top of that, Netflix has frozen Washington’s DVD rental queue until he sends back the last disc of the “John Adams” miniseries, angering Martha because she’s been waiting to see Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side.”

  • “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”: Hundreds of people stood in line at Yakima’s SunDome on Saturday to buy tickets for Elton John’s July 18 concert, the glam pop-rock pianist’s only stop in the Pacific Northwest for the tour.

    If you’re wondering why Elton selected Yakima over Seattle or Everett, his outfit for the concert will be used to reflect sunlight to a solar collector capable of powering every home in the Yakima Valley.

  • Veni, vedi, veni: New York City’s Museum of Modern art had to ask some visitors to leave after they were caught touching nude performance artists in the gallery.

    If that had happened at the Seattle Art Museum, docents could have just sent the touchy-feely art lovers across the street to the Lusty Lady peepshow.

    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

  • More in Opinion

    toon
    Editorial cartoons for Thursday, March 28

    A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

    Initiative promoter Tim Eyman takes a selfie photo before the start of a session of Thurston County Superior Court, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. Eyman, who ran initiative campaigns across Washington for decades, will no longer be allowed to have any financial control over political committees, under a ruling from Superior Court Judge James Dixon Wednesday that blasted Eyman for using donor's contributions to line his own pocket. Eyman was also told to pay more than $2.5 million in penalties. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
    Editorial: Initiative fee increase protects process, taxpayers

    Bumped up to $156 from $5, the increase may discourage attempts to game the initiative process.

    Protecting forests and prevent another landslide like Oso

    Thank you for the powerful and heartbreaking article about the Oso landslide… Continue reading

    Boeing’s downfall started when engineers demoted

    Boeing used to be run by engineers who made money to build… Continue reading

    Learn swimming safety to protect kids at beach, pool

    Don’t forget to dive into water safety before hitting the pool or… Continue reading

    Comment: Why shootings have decreased but gun deaths haven’t

    High-capacity magazines and ‘Glock switches’ that allow automatic fire have increased lethality.

    Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Editorial: Community Transit making most of Link’s arrival

    The Lynnwood light rail station will allow the transit agency to improve routes and frequency of buses.

    An image of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is reflected in a storefront window during the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at thee Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    Editorial: State of city address makes case for Everett’s future

    Mayor Franklin outlines challenges and responses as the city approaches significant decisions.

    FILE - The massive mudslide that killed 43 people in the community of Oso, Wash., is viewed from the air on March 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
    Editorial: Mapping landslide risks honors those lost in Oso

    Efforts continue in the state to map areas prone to landslides and prevent losses of life and property.

    toon
    Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, March 27

    A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

    Burke: ‘Why not write about Biden, for once?’ Don’t mind if I do.

    They asked; I’ll oblige. Let’s consider what the president has accomplished since the 2020 election.

    Comment: Catherine missed chance to dispel shame of cancer

    She wasn’t obligated to do so, but she might have used her diagnosis to educate a sympathetic public.

    Support local journalism

    If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.