Maybe we should buy the houses at low cost that have been seized by the IRS and the banks. The houses could be filled with books and converted to small libraries. That would certainly tend to improve literacy in our communities.

Maybe we should be concerned about getting shot by the original owners. Maybe we should put up a sign calling ourselves “The Peace Libraries”, and inform the previous owners (if they arrive at the house) that we are willing to sell the house back to them at cost. Maybe we should hide behind the skirts of the friendly librarians.

Maybe we shouldn’t.

Maybe we should let the women librarians, those gung-ho, cavalier, bold works of art, defend us if somebody shows up with a gun!!!!!

If the reader senses a bit of uncertainty in these thoughts, there’s a reason for it. I’m not sure what the heck to do.

If you have suggestions, please write them in the following blank space (remember, this space was modeled after the average librarian’s inner ear space - completely blank!). Only serious suggestions will be considered. No profanity please. Please do not leave guns; only words will do. Crayons are acceptable as long as the writer incurs no liability because of them. Of course, large amounts of cash are perfectly acceptable and encouraged.

All copyrights are shared with the author, Jacques Berkeley. Neither this comment space or the comments included therein create or are intended to create a binding contract of any form whatsoever. Readers in Rhode Island see local statutes for further enlightenment. The Supreme Court is completely inapplicable.

Hopefully, you will include some thoughts on who will defend the libraries. The guardians of truth? Perhaps. Maybe dial-a-jerk. That’s more likely.

What is needed most for this idea to succeed is money. Please send your tax-free, deductible, non-profit-sharing, dividend-bla-bla-bla (cash only please) to Jacques Berkeley, c/o The Peace Libraries, YourCommunity, USA.

Actually, at some point, it would be highly favorable to actually put some books in these libraries. Send more cash. (Librarians, remember, you owe me.) Remember, libraries are excellent places. You can lose a teacher, cop, drug dealer, other assorted criminals, or a hangover in them. YOU CAN ACTUALLY READ IF PEOPLE SHUT UP LONG ENOUGH!!!!!

You know, it’s not a bad idea - turning these seized properties into libraries. If you don’t like it, you can always just ignore it. Why don’t you? Ignore it!