[Publib] Current Affairs

[Backwage at aol.com]

Well, good morning out there.  It is another day in library land, and  that 
means another storm of patrons through the door, some of them perhaps  
already in front of your reference desk, ready to ask questions about the issues 
 of the day.  Or yesterday, which included a speech by that President of  
ours about health care.
 
Sharing the limelight with the leader of our republic was a feller from  
South Carolina name of Joe Wilson, who managed to involve himself in the 
debate  to the extent of referring to the President as a liar.  Joe now begins 
his  fifteen minutes of fame, give or take a few hours.  People are wondering, 
 "Who is Joe Wilson?"  "Where is South Carolina?"  "Does everybody  there 
talk out of turn?"  It is your job to help them find answers.
 
First of all, you can direct your askers to either the Congressional Record 
 or various online sources to find out about the Honorable Joe.  But to 
save  you time, and in the interest of professional collegiality, I will share 
with  you a few of Joe's votes in the House.  Of Representatives, that is.
 
The website "On the Issues" reports that Joe voted to make the  Patriot Act 
permanent, including its provisions about  permitting the FBI access to 
library circulation records, library patron lists,  book sales records, book 
customer lists and other records.  The Act  also would have permitted the 
extension of the provision allowing  internet service providers to disclose 
subscriber information and contents of  their communications.   
 
Joe voted yes on a proposed amendment to the Constitution protecting our  
flag from desecration; also sought an amendment banning same-sex marriage; 
and  wanted to protect the flag salute, too.  Joe voted against protecting  
individuals against employment discrimination on the basis of sexual  
orientation.  Joe does not believe that abortion is a woman's right, but he  
strongly supports teacher-led prayer in public schools (he has a 92% rating from  
the Christian Coalition).  Needless to say, he strongly opposes federal  
support for health care.  He also wants to privatize Social Security.   Joe is a 
real demon on illegal immigration.  He wants those folks to be  denied 
health services and jobs; Joe wants English enshrined as our national  language 
and also wants the government to provide services only in  English.  
Actually Joe wants hospital personnel to have to report illegal  immigrants who 
seek medical care.  Joe seems to want to abolish the  IRS.  
 
So there you have Joe Wilson.  He apparently is a strong supporter of  free 
speech, at least for English-speaking native-born citizens who are members  
of Congress.  Any junior high kid needing a thousand words for a term paper 
 should have no trouble finding current material at your desk.
 
M. McGrorty
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