Watha T. Daniel-Shaw
Neighborhood Library

Because David McCullough’s book on John Adams was the choice for the History Book Club discussion, I began to read this excellent biography one evening a few nights ago, and my sense of excitement grew with reading. Certain themes concerning leadership and John Adams jumped out at me, and I could see how to apply those lessons to contemporary leaders of revolutionary movements.

While I was already going to write about this topic anyway, my bus ride to the Martin Luther King Library today really cemented my resolve.  Sitting on the seat in front of me on the 70 bus was the discarded travel section of the January 23rd Sunday Washington Post. The bold headline Sweden Grabs the Mike was just shouting at me.

There has been much discussion of late about the correct policies of Congress and the administration over taxes. We have seen on CNN and MSNBC how both sides are agonizing over how much to tax the upper brackets and how to stimulate the economy with tax policy. Each side predicts that coming to the correct decision will advance them in the coming election cycle. But there are many indications from political scientists and commentators that effective policy has little to do with voter behavior. Voters actually tend to vote on party lines, perceived economic status and most importantly, sense of the direction of the country, positive or negative. Even when the application of certain policies is shown to create negative results, the same policies are still embraced because they are objects of faith.

The library, in cooperation with Byte Back, is offering free PC Basics computer classes and Office Track classes at Capitol View Library, Anacostia Library, Northwest One Library and Watha T. Daniel Library starting January 3.

You must be a D.C. resident to enroll in this program. All students must present proof of residency on the first day of class to be admitted. To register, call Byte Back at 202-529-3395 Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Those who complete the course and who qualify (by income) will also get a free computer and free Cricket broadband card, good for one year's free Internet.

If you miss this round of classes, another set will be offered beginning in March.

Partners:  DC Public Library, DC Office of the Chief Technology Office, ByteBack, First Time Computers, Cricket Communications.