“All that glitters is not gold” used to be a popular saying, meaning that not everything that appears to be true turns out to be fact.
The phrase with a nine-century history can apply to people, places or things that promise to be something they are not.
Positively Naperville is published monthly to present a preview of many good things happening in this thriving community. Thanks to our insightful contributors and generous sponsors, we aim to keep our promises of presenting the bright side of local news.
Back in the late 1990s when the idea for PN began, we were grateful that the dot.com era had inspired us to begin a complimentary print publication as subscribers to newspapers were just starting to read online.
That “free” factor encouraged us to get going with this community newspaper, sponsored by much-appreciated local merchants who welcome you to get to know them, too, both in their places of business and online.
Still, we have mounting concerns about much-needed professional journalists, our nation’s watchdogs. We appreciate all journalists who cover and dig into facts, reporting the straight scoop so we can determine the truth. Every day our lives from here to Springfield to Washington, D.C., are challenged by public policies that happen when too few of us pay attention.
We also are grateful that “Safe Citizenship or 500 Lessons in American Politics,” a book by J.L. Nichols, published in 1895, fell into our hands. The second paragraph provides a meaningful message. “It is your duty as an American citizen to obey the laws, even if they are, in your belief, unjust or unwise. General Grant once shrewdly said the best way to procure the repeal of an unjust or unwise law was to rigorously enforce it. It is your right to expose the folly or injustice of a law, to demand its repeal, and to try to get a majority to repeal it. But while it remains the law, you are to obey it.”
And to think Nichols began our Naperville Public Library. Enjoy a happy, healthful Thanksgiving Day.
