George Washington Racks Up 220 Years of Late Fees At Library 146
Everyone knows that George Washington couldn't tell a lie. What you probably didn't know is that he couldn't return a library book on time. From the article: "New York City's oldest library says one of its ledgers shows that the president has racked up 220 years' worth of late fees on two books he borrowed, but never returned. One of the books was the 'Law of Nations,' which deals with international relations. The other was a volume of debates from Britain's House of Commons. Both books were due on Nov. 2, 1789."
And he decided to pay the late fees... (Score:5, Funny)
case (Score:5, Funny)
Obligatory (Score:5, Funny)
Hey man (Score:2, Funny)
don't Bundy that book
It's a clue. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:case (Score:3, Funny)
looks like he really bucked the system lol
Re:So... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:And he decided to pay the late fees... (Score:3, Funny)
You've got a +5 funny right now, but you won't think this is a laughing matter when Philip Baker Hall shows up at Mount Vernon to collect the debt....
Quirk Books Already on It (Score:3, Funny)
After "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" and "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter", I'm pretty sure Quirk Books must already be working on a tale that involves Mr. Bookman (from Seinfeld, season 3) travelling back in time, terminator-style, to charge late fees on George Washington. That modifies the course of history. Last scene on the book, Bookman is back to the 20th century and the country formerly known as USA is now part of Canada. In the place of the Statue of Liberty, a huge green statue of Celine Dion greets the New Yorkers.
Re:So... (Score:3, Funny)
If we go to a better news source [bbc.co.uk], we see that
BBC?! So, you're implying the British took them?
send bookman to get the book back! (Score:3, Funny)
send bookman to get the book back!
Authors suing for loss of IP? (Score:5, Funny)
I mean, think of how much revenue they must've lost!
US Federal Debt (Score:5, Funny)
Now we know why the US Federal Debt is so high. That fine is probably still being carried by the Office of the President.
Re:So... (Score:4, Funny)
And what happened to privacy? What would Washington think about the library publishing what books he borrowed and how much he owes in fees?
Re:So... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Not quite so late, but... (Score:5, Funny)
I was related to Mary Coyle Chase
Technically, you still are.
Re:So... (Score:5, Funny)
He'd think "bbbbrraaaaaaaaaiiiinnnssssszzzz" because thats what Zombies think.
Re:It's a clue. (Score:2, Funny)
No, you silly billy. We're talking about the Illuminati, not the Knights Templar.
Re:And he decided to pay the late fees... (Score:3, Funny)
Well, they'd probably accept a federally issued picture id. He could whip a dollar bill out and say "look, me." Then again, with decomposition, he probably doesn't look much like his pictures any more. That, and folks may get the heebie jeebies when a decomposing zombie comes walking in to pay a bill. :)
Re:So... (Score:4, Funny)
That was a bit over the top, just to get back two books, wasn't it?
Re:And he decided to pay the late fees... (Score:5, Funny)
"But's it's former President George Washington! That's practically treason!"
"It wants our brains! Shoot it! It's coming through the door!"
"But, but...President! Founding Father! George Washington!"
"Zombie Apocalypse begins today if you don't shoot it!"
"But this is the Father of our Country"
"I don't care, give me the gun!"
BOOM!
"You...you shot George Washington...Who...Who are you?"
"Ash Williams. You can thank me now."
Re:And he decided to pay the late fees... (Score:3, Funny)
So..... Dear George, your library fees are now -$32768.00
It turns out if you wait long enough you no longer owe money on them, but the library will pay you to bring them back!
Re:case (Score:3, Funny)
And they want to run healthcare... (Score:2, Funny)
When it takes 220 years for a government institution to figure out that a book is overdue, does anyone really think it would be a good idea to let them run a health care system?
I know its humorous because this is just a library book, but it serves as a striking example of how government bureaucracies can depart from the supposed intentions of their founders. Consider:
Ok, this is kind of a half-hearted jest, but I think there are some real points to be made about the way the government works more for the people in power than for the interests of the average citizen.