[Publib] A second to the plea to knock off the sparring

[Su Epstein]

I would like to second this and add, that for unfriendly, generally rude
commentary and verbal sparring, I have a whole town full of teenagers
willing to oblige!

 

Thanks,

Su

 

Su Epstein, Ph.D.

Library Director

Saxton B. Little Free Library

Columbia, CT 06237

  _____  

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Andrea Berstler - Director
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 2:56 PM
To: onicodnem at gmail.com; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Internet rules

 

Could we tone it down ever so slightly and return to library related
topics?!

 

If I want politically-related discussions, I will turn on CNN/MSNBC/FOXNews.


 

Andrea 
 

  _____  

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Haiku Onicodnem
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 1:50 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] Internet rules



Knieriem, Lesley wrote: 

Haiku Onicodnem, are you aware that most of the members of PUBLIB are
practicing librarians in the United States of America?  Do you know how
policies are formulated, debated, vetted, and instituted in most public
library systems?  Perhaps you practice in an institution in which faceless
men in black suits swoop down in helicopters, hand out detailed Computer Use
Policies, and force cowering system administrators at gunpoint to install
them on their computer screens?

I honestly don't know how to respond to someone who, in a democratic
republic, considers the government to be some alien entity imposed upon the
hapless populace; and who considers the mutual agreement of minor
restrictions on individual freedom in the service of the common good to be
"fascism."  Nor to someone who thinks it is the duty of every librarian, in
the name of "freedom of information"  to offer uninformed opinions or advice
about legal, financial, and medical matters about which they are untrained
and unqualified.  

In either case, I might politely suggest that you tone down your insulting
rhetoric, both in private e-mails and on a public list.  

Thank you.

Lesley K

P.S.  Being a librarian, I *am* qualified to provide information on the
shared root of the words "policy" and "police".  Both derive from the Greek
root "poleis", referring to the "city-state";  specifically referring to a
sovereign entity that is ruled not by a tyrant or an oligarchy but by its
own citizens.  There is substantial archaeological, historical, and
philosophical research and discussion about the relative obligations of the
individual and the community in such an organization.  I would be delighted
to provide references if you wish to investigate further.


I see you are a smart-ass, too.  I'm quite aware of the ancient Greek root,
and I can go back to proto-Indo-European with it if I wish.  Being a
political science minor for undergrad, Western Political Thought is what I
focused on.  Your fabled "Greek democracy" applied only to a selected strata
of the privileged, definitely not to slaves, and not to other human beings
within the society, ascribed to such classes at birth.  Hilarious you cite
that as an example to be admired!

I'm well aware of how policies are generated.  The County (or governing
organization) Attorney and bureaucrats generally decree the limited
parameters for debate, and the professional librarians are "allowed" to
discuss that.  All based on fear - generally the fear of "liability."  (and
in some cases, in response to some religious nutters or rich and politically
influential lobbies).  "We can't" as opposed to "We can!"

As for America being a "democratic republic," it never has been such a
thing.  "Democratic republics" are generally totalitarian regimes, like the
Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR - Communist East Germany) or the
"Democratic People's Republic" of Korea (North).  America has been and is a
Republic (you're a librarian, go look it up).  And only the most obtuse
idiot believes the American government "represents 'the People'."  Nay,
America is a Plutocratic Republic.  And it remains so because people just
like you ACCEPT that fact and make excuses galore for not doing anything
about it.

No reference librarian on Earth is an "expert" on everything.  Hence, the
majority of answers provided are "uninformed opinions" by your definition.
Providing a patron a Chilton manual can just as easily cause liability (and
making a gross error, unchecked by the patron, could lead to injury or
death, unlike with tax questions).  Liability and risk lies in every thing
ever human being does and says.  The question remains: why are you too dense
to recognize that "verboten" subjects are logical absurdities in this
"democratic republic" fantasyland you claim this country is?  I have a book
for you: OCLC 5690160.  Study the central principle of the book, recognize
that the main character (and millions like him) can be generated by just one
most 9/11, and then look in the mirror.

And finally, it is completely laughable for you to insist I "tone down my
insulting rhetoric," when you yourself are condescending and smart-assed. 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.webjunction.org/wjlists/publib/attachments/20080624/9fcf90a1/attachment.htm