[Publib] Anti Diversity Candidate

[James Casey]

Kathleen:

I'm honored to he among those named in Mr. McClay's list of those for whom he is NOT voting in this year's Council election.  I don't think that support for diversity is the only matter with which Greg takes issue.  He lists quite a number of Councilors and reasons for earning a place on his disapproval list.  One of the primary reasons cited is "Twit List I" and
"Twit List II".  Those designations refer to those of us who voted in favor of resolutions opposing the launching of the war in Iraq.  I am given credit for both I and II, but deserve only II.  Although in very strong agreement with the first resolution, I felt that it was not an issue directly relevant to our work as librarians and voted "no".  The second resolution condemned the fabrications, lies and withholding of information that were employed in justifying the invasion of Iraq.  Libraries are dedicated to the sharing of information and striving to promote a well informed public.  To that extent, I have considerable pleasure in voting "yes" on the second Iraq resolution and deserve the Twit List II designation.  

http://www.shush.ws/wordpress/

Greg also lists councilors for whom he is voting.  It is a much shorter list, to be sure.  http://www.shush.ws/wordpress/?p=222

One of those for whom he is said to be voting --- Michael McGrorty --- also received my vote.  

Greg is among those who consider themselves to be "conservative" librarians due to their ongoing support of current president's administration.  I don't understand how running up huge deficits (with Red China as the chief creditor), reckless adventurism in foreign policy, disputing scientific evidence of such commonly accepted research findings as those on global warming and stem cells, undercutting civil liberties and interference with federal prosecutions, acceptance of torture as a viable form of interrogation and general mismanagement everywhere from Iraq and Katrina to Walter Reed Hospital could be characterized as "conservative".  


James B. Casey -- My own views
Director of Oak Lawn Public Library
ALA Council Member -- Candidate for Re-election.
  

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Kathleen de la Peña McCook
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 5:59 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Anti Diversity Candidate 

A truly diverse librarianship is an important goal for all of us.
Everyday I work with students who endeavor to grow in understanding 
of problems faced by immigrants,  people of color, people with 
disabilities.
Thus this posting of Mark Rosenzweig called me to action in 
distributing the hateful information that Mr. McClay, a public 
librarian, has posted on his website.
  Mr. McClay has every right to free speech,  but we all have the 
mandate to read what he says about candidates who hold our core 
values in esteem. We have the right to say this person:
"Diversity is a fundamental value of the association and its members, 
and is reflected in its commitment to recruiting people of color and 
people with disabilities to the profession and to the promotion and 
development of library collections and services for all people.'
--Kathleen de la Pena McCook
recipient of Achievement in Library Diversity Research award, 2004.
[http://www.ala.org/ala/ourassociation/governingdocs/keyactionareas/ke
yactionareas.htm]