Notice was taken of Jessamyn West’s blog by a feature editor at the Christian Science Monitor today.
The topic was censorship and the subject was Sarah Palin’s flirtation with censoring certain books at the Wasilla AK Public Library. Jessamyn commented: “Usually I’m just happy to see libraries even mentioned in national level politics, but not like this,” writes West.
Another blog you might find of interest is Librarians Against Palin, started on Wednesday by a public librarian who is “concerned about having Sarah Palin in the White House”.
The CSMonitor continues “But it will perhaps be good for all of us to engage in a discussion about the whole notion of censorship. It could make for a very lively time on Sept. 27 when we arrive at Banned Books Week.”
Important points
Read the Christian Science Monitor article:
* there is no evidence that the attempt to remove Emmons was related to the censorship question.
* Nor does there seem to be any evidence that any books were actually banned from the Wasilla library.
re:evidence
evidence?? You must be new to the internet. evidence has no place here.
Librarians FOR Palin?
There is no evidence Gov. Palin did anything more than ask questions regarding policies regarding banning books.
AS to the firing recommendation, I know for a fact that as a Librarian, I am answerable to, and face dismissal for any or no reason from, our Board of County Commissioners.
In fact, I have been threated more than once with “The Commission is hearing complaints from your patrons. If you don’t shape up and get your act together, you are gone!” (Never mind the fact that most patrons in the Library compliment my staff and me for running a nice, friendly library.)
It’s what commissioners, Mayors, city managers, and allother elected officials do. It’s their job. It’s also unfortunate that they hear only the complaints and not the successes.
So I propose someone start a site called “Librarians FOR Palin”. Anyone want to go at it? You’ll be going against a lot of well-organized opposition, I think.
“The Director”
I would…
I would but I don’t really have the time. If I put in the same half hour of work that the librariansagainstpalin owner did I could swing it, but I would go with quality rather than inane ramblings.
Ah, what the heck. I just registered librariansforpalin.com and I’ll throw a wordpress blog up there, or perhaps Drupal. We’ll see how that works. If someone with a great deal of time, who is not a complete whackjob wants to manage it I can certainly entertain requests.
And yet…
Yes, it is their right. However, how they go about it, and the reasons they offer, give you insight to what kind of political leader they will be. Just because someone can do something, doesn’t mean that they should. I think what bothered me the most was the statement about wanting people who were loyal to her (if those reports are accurate). People should be in their positions because of their ability to do the job, not on their willingness to be a toady.
Loyalty to elected officials
Yet….
Every elected official does it. President Clinton fired all the federal judges so he could put his own in (not a peep from Congress/media). President Bush fired a few (and got raked over the coals for it).
In our county, one person was put in charge of a department as an ‘axe-man’ to bring it in line and shape it up by getting rid of the ‘dead wood’ by the elected official over that department.
I was hired for my progressive views, yet when I try to implement them, get raked over the coals myself, by staff and patrons and elected officials. I term it a ‘wall of resistance’ to change. I’m bringing them ‘kicking and screaming’ into the 20th Century (forget the 21st — just the 20th wold be an improvement!) My job, quite frankly, is hanging by a thread. And I know it.
So while I may not agree with it, it IS the right of the elected official NOT to have their every decision met with resistance or dissent.
(By the way, I have mixed feelings — people hired by one administration should have some degree of protection. On the other hand, people hired by a former administration are often those most resistant to needed departmental improvements and changes. I often wish I had the right to fire and hire at will. I don’t.)
judges
The President can’t fire a federal judge. You might be thinking of US Attorneys, who serve at the pleasure of the president.
oops
Ah, yes, I believe you are correct.
Sorry about that, Chief!
I agree.. to a point. Followed by a Rant
We do agree.. they have that right. I don’t think we even come close to disagreeing on that point. However, we’re not talking about U.S. Attorneys. And, I’m willing to bet, that U.S. Attorneys are very well aware of the tenuous nature of their employment – it comes with the job. I don’t think you could argue the same for department heads in small towns. I didn’t see mentioned anywhere that Eammons was challenging Palin’s authority except in saying, 3 different times, that she would not remove books simply upon the say-so of the mayor.
Unless something big comes of it, I’m pretty convinced that its gonna die away, soon, to be replaced by the next “issue”. Will Obama’s flag pin be slight askew? Does John McCain know how many suits he owns? Who knows? I really wish the real issues could take center stage and all this shit about how many homes do they own, what did their pastor say, does his wife love America, OMG did you hear her 17 year old daughter is pregnant, would just disappear or be met with a collective yawn. I know it’s not how the game is played.
But, for the record, no, I don’t care how many houses John and Cindy McCain own (they’re all rich, compared to me); I don’t care what Jeremiah Wright said, he’s not running for President; I don’t care if Michelle Obama loves America or not – she’s not running for President; and, Ms. Palin’s daughter’s pregnancy is a personal family matter that I really don’t need to know about, but, now that I do, I wish them well in working it out in the best manner they can.
I’m more concerned about the environment, energy issues, affordable housing, what role they think the US should play in foreign relations, etc.. (those are a few of mine – feel free to insert your own). AND, as long as I’m ranting, are we still saddled with voting machines that have 10 year old software glitches that drop votes in larger precincts?
I’m exhausted.