tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39006162011-06-14T18:49:24.909-04:00libertarian LibrarianA Librarian for Bush
mjzogby@yahoo.comMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.comBlogger1531100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1093526762189906012004-08-26T09:24:00.000-04:002004-08-26T09:26:02.190-04:00RNCFor all your RNC blogging news, check out the rncbloggers.com.
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1091117262043697992004-07-29T13:31:00.000-04:002004-07-29T12:07:42.043-04:00Receiving stolen property?
I'm sure most people who receive handouts of any sort from the government don't consider themselves to be recipients of stolen property. Of course many true conservatives and libertarians believe that the government's use of coercion to take money from one to give to another is stealing. But I hadn't thought much about the morality of the recipient of that theft. Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-10909607935870652004-07-27T18:49:00.000-04:002004-07-27T16:39:53.586-04:00So there is an official site of librarians against Bush. In a google search for "librarians for Bush" I essentially come up with nothing except a sticker on ebay (no longer available) and a few comments referring to a different bush. I'm not surprised by this since I've been working in the field long enough to know that there are very few of us who support Bush/Cheney. Since there isn't any Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1090955282996136362004-07-27T12:50:00.000-04:002004-07-27T15:08:02.996-04:00The Democratic convention in Boston has included bloggers in their media coverage of the event. NY Times presents convention bloggers as "Diarists." That's an interesting way to put it. Some bloggers are upset by that description.
The Wall Street Journal's report of the bloggers includes more detailed coverage of the bloggers covering the event. For a little humor on the convention, check Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1085672938892696562004-05-27T11:24:00.000-04:002004-05-27T11:48:58.893-04:00After reading Larry Elder's column today about Bush bashing, I am fired up about this topic. Shortly after starting a new job in a law library, a co-worker came in after listening to a speech by the president the previous evening. He proceeded to tell how he was convinced that the president was really just stupid and it seems like the president has no idea what he's talking about when he speaksMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1080669046031675462004-03-30T12:50:00.000-05:002004-03-30T12:54:16.436-05:00Thomas Sowell for President
Although he says it will never happen, his Conservative Radicalism ideas sound great to me.
"Since politicians like to have campaign slogans, instead of "Bring it On!" my slogan might be "Get rid of it!" to describe all the laws, policies, and government agencies that I would abolish."
That's my kind of radicalism.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1067872704072798602003-11-03T10:18:00.000-05:002003-11-03T10:18:38.653-05:00Librarians don't speed!
According to data from the Quality Planning Corporation, librarians are among the professions least likely to get a speeding ticket. The only profession with a better record is homemaker. Hmmm... Another example where I don't fit the profession.
No surprise that students are the worst, for both speeding tickets and accidents. Doctors, lawyers, architects, and real Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1067871549363968312003-11-03T09:59:00.000-05:002003-11-03T09:59:24.106-05:00The Latest on the Librarian Action Figure. (Cape not included).Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1067461017474529992003-10-29T15:56:00.000-05:002003-10-29T15:57:06.030-05:00Librarian Humor
Are you tired of the stereotypes? Check out the latest librarian fashions.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1066328392088592482003-10-16T14:19:00.000-04:002003-10-16T14:19:51.983-04:00Frankfurt Book Fair promotes Germans as Victims
After attending Frankfurt's annual book fair this year, Anne Applebaum reports on two trends in German book reading.
The first is that there are many conspiracy theory books about 9/11, blaming the Bush administration for the attack. "Unlike those [books] in the United States, many of them also argue that the Bush administration was responsible Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1066324303763183182003-10-16T13:11:00.000-04:002003-10-16T14:17:49.093-04:00Ex-Library Chief Guilty in Child Porn Case
"The former vice provost and director of libraries at the University of Pennsylvania pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges that he downloaded child pornography on his computer.
Paul Mosher, 66, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of children and unlawful use of a communication facility. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 21. Each charge carries a maximum Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1066318402707652342003-10-16T11:33:00.000-04:002003-10-16T11:33:22.800-04:00Mourning Libraries
PA libraries may have to deal with a 50% cut in funding. Some Lancaster libraries are "mourning" that loss by showing how the loss of funding could affect the library.
"There were black decorations everywhere. Half of the computers were covered, and many of the bookcases have been taped off."
The libraries are concerned about having to cut back on new resources, inability Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1066314180811314002003-10-16T10:23:00.000-04:002003-10-16T10:23:00.760-04:00President's Approval Rating
Lee points out that Bush's approval rating has gone back up to 56%, but he feigns shock that it's not getting as much media attention as when it fell from 59% in August to 50% in September.
Of course the CNN article he refers to points out that this increase is mainly due to "big gains among men and among high-income Americans." Of course, the wealthy who benefittedMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1066314111984601352003-10-16T10:21:00.000-04:002003-10-16T10:21:51.950-04:00Health Care
This is an especially interesting topic to me, as I work in a Medical Library. I recently had a conversation with a nurse friend about health care. We decided to agree to disagree because our basic views of healthcare were completely opposite. She felt everyone had a RIGHT to health care and I disagreed.
Yesterday, a patron came into the library looking for information on Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1066314007627192562003-10-16T10:20:00.000-04:002003-10-16T10:20:07.606-04:00Reducing Breast Cancer
According to a study at North Carolina State University, "Women who perform the act of fellatio on a regular basis, one to two times a week, may reduce their risk of breast cancer by up to 40 percent."
Please share this important study with all your male friends and their girlfriends. It's important to spread the word!
I hope they'll soon come out with a study on Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1064346220884267282003-09-23T15:43:00.000-04:002003-09-23T15:43:40.610-04:00Rich Lowry is out for blood among librarians (although I am certain he would excuse me). He points out the leftism that has become rampant among librarians, especially the American Library Association (ALA).
"Librarians have recently let down their hair -- usually wrapped in a tight bun, of course -- to become some of the most vocal opponents of the Bush administration and the USA Patriot ActMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1063647835414062662003-09-15T13:43:00.000-04:002003-09-15T13:46:21.653-04:00Peace at any price leads to war
After Oslo, Israelis thought they could find peace. They made concession after concession to Arafat. But they only got more terrorism for their efforts. Let Israel fight it's war on terrorism, as we fight ours.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1063218775944710892003-09-10T14:32:00.000-04:002003-09-10T14:32:55.956-04:00Last Birthday
This month, 9/29 to be exact, will be my last birthday in my twenties. I have not decided how I'm going to celebrate. Any suggestions would be appreciated. And gifts are always welcome. Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1062615419221986272003-09-03T14:56:00.000-04:002003-09-03T14:56:59.073-04:00Hot Jobs
I always knew I had a hot job. According to this CNN article, special librarians are a hot commodity.
"Librarians are needed far beyond the school and public library systems. Corporations, government and advertising agencies, law firms, museums, research laboratories and medical centers are just a few of the arenas Challenger noted have need for those with library science degrees."
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1062615117321461252003-09-03T14:51:00.000-04:002003-09-03T14:51:57.186-04:00My Kind of Book Sale
The Nebraska Bookstore was offering promotional items to students who bought textbooks from them. The free item was a coupon for one free beer at Brewsky's Food and Spirits. The promotion ended due to concerns about the stereotype associating college and beer. Well, we certainly woundn't want anyone to think that college and beer go together.
What I want to know is, was Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1062614242533701672003-09-03T14:37:00.000-04:002003-09-03T14:37:22.463-04:00Zogbyblog wants to know what I think about this article on a violent sex offender, now out of prison, who was thrown out of a public library for accessing porn. KBZ thinks it's horrible that his guy had access to porn and he should be put back in prison.
I agree that his guy should certainly not be able to access porn, especially in a public library. But as soon as he was discovered, he was Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1060788861371713052003-08-13T11:34:00.000-04:002003-08-13T11:39:08.763-04:00Moral Equivalence and Holocaust deniers
Zev Chafets in todays Jewish World Review says that "By trivializing evil, California's Holocaust impliers become, wittingly or not, allies and accomplices of the Holocaust deniers." He is referring to those who are trying to associate Arnold with the Nazis. But many have also said this about those who compare Hitler to Bush. And so, I have decided that Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1060453777826340712003-08-09T14:29:00.000-04:002003-08-09T14:29:37.740-04:00Reverse Discrimination?
Some say it doesn't exist. But in Atlanta Georgia, some white librarians received a $17 million settlement after a winning a lawsuit, claiming they were discriminated against for being white. Since the settlement, several of these librarians have complained to the Equal Employment Opportunity office that the discrimination has continued.
I'm surprised by the outcome of Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1060262239762284792003-08-07T09:17:00.000-04:002003-08-07T09:17:19.753-04:00Independent?
I am on a listserv for young librarians, which I am tiring of as everyone else seems quite liberal. Always jabs at conservatives and old people. But there is a current thread about how we waste time if we're ever bored at work. Of course my answer would be to blog. Today I saw the following comment:
"For those of you who are politically independent:
www.buzzflash.com
KeepsMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1059062706610282312003-07-24T12:05:00.000-04:002003-07-24T12:05:21.720-04:00I recently received an email from a fellow librarian, encouraging support for an amendment to the Commerce, Justice, State, and Judiciary Appropriations Bill of 2004, which would cut off Justice Department funding for searches of bookstore and library records under Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. This amendment has been introduced by Bernie Sanders (surprise, surprise) and is co-sponsored byMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1057697031823281942003-07-08T16:43:00.000-04:002003-07-08T16:43:51.700-04:00Here's a thought, although not a new one. The idea of the free library, publicly funded vs. the commercial book store. This Library and Information Update article discusses the impact of book stores on public libraries. "The Change in Store? project1 set out to identify and evaluate precisely how libraries and bookstores are currently used and perceived." So how are libraries and bookstores Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-1056648512850256802003-06-26T13:28:00.000-04:002003-06-26T13:28:32.820-04:00Library Etiquette and Noise Police
Singapore has a new campaign to keep libraries quiet. This campaign will likely be expanded to other libraries after a review in October.
"More than 10 people now patrol six of the island's libraries urging users to pipe down and switch off their cell phones as part of a "library etiquette campaign."
The National Library Board's Web site lists rules of Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-959882752003-06-24T14:03:00.000-04:002003-06-24T14:03:36.370-04:00Booty Filters
I think Ken of blogolution will be disappointed with me, after his experience in a DC library where booty surfing was all the rage. But I oppose the supreme court ruling forcing libraries to use filters in order to recieve federal funding. As I said here, I think this is something that should be dealt with on a local level, not something forced by the federal government.
While, IMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-959561662003-06-23T15:41:00.000-04:002003-06-23T15:41:20.553-04:00Cuba's Jailed Librarians get no succor from the ALA
Mary Anastasia O'Grady had an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on Friday (not available online) about how members of the American Library Association have responded to the issue of censorship in Cuba and the librarians who have been imprisoned.
This past weekend and this week, the ALA annual meeting is taking place in Toronto. And you would Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-958011792003-06-18T15:22:00.000-04:002003-06-18T15:24:29.000-04:00My blogging essay
Reminder: this was written for non-bloggers, so please excuse some things I explain, that would not need an explanation if written solely for this blog.
While I anticipated that this class would allow me to talk and read about one of my favorite things (books), I didn’t think that it would include one of my other favorite things (blogging). But here we are talking about Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-957555882003-06-17T11:17:00.000-04:002003-06-17T11:17:48.800-04:00Anyone interested, I wrote for zogbyblog about two sessions I attended at SLA. The opening speaker was David McCullough. I also wrote about Lawrence Kudlow, who spoke about the economy. Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-957542802003-06-17T10:38:00.000-04:002003-06-17T10:38:44.593-04:00Anyone remember the MASH game from elementary and/or middle school? You can play it online. Here is my prediction:
I will marry Dominic West (odd since I'm already married)
I'll have two kids, live in an apartment in Washington DC. Drive a black '68 chevy malibu and work as an editor.
hattip: ayanna's blog-o-ramaMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-953795792003-06-06T14:06:00.000-04:002003-06-06T14:06:48.150-04:00I'm going to New York tomorrow for four fun-filled days in the city for the Special Library Association Annual Conference. Watch out New York, the librarians are coming!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-953725332003-06-06T11:02:00.000-04:002003-06-06T11:02:39.806-04:00And speaking of the Old Gray Lady, another Ken, of blogolution, has an idea for Howie's replacement.
"What the Times needs is a youthful new direction in editorial leadership: an outsider, say a witty blogger, unwedded to the tired orthodoxy of the Raines era--and the less experience the better. The new Executive Editor would have to posess searing insight into the journalistic mind as well be Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-953712722003-06-06T10:32:00.000-04:002003-06-06T10:32:15.820-04:00Speaking of Ken Layne, he offers some great insight on the resignation of Howell Raines.
"When your whole journalistic game is Serious & Sober & Working for the Good of Society, you can't survive becoming a national joke. I got a telemarketing call to renew my NYT home delivery the other day, and I said, "Nah, that paper just makes shit up." The guy chuckled wearily and said, "Yeah, that's what Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-953711812003-06-06T10:29:00.000-04:002003-06-06T10:29:55.736-04:00Making fun of bloggers? This is probably fitting for my blog because I think I might get 6 or 7 readers on a really, really good day.
hattip: Ken LayneMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-947919472003-05-23T12:22:00.000-04:002003-05-23T12:22:54.000-04:00Librarian Abuse
Librarian.net points out this article about the Monster Librarian in an elementary school in Kentucky.
"Leslie Gross said she was waiting to pick up her daughter after school on May 2 when she saw librarian Virginia Viviano grab her daughter and scream at her.
“She was grabbing her around her arms and was pulling her cheeks,” Gross said. “She had two huge fingernail whelt Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-947899242003-05-23T11:37:00.000-04:002003-05-23T11:37:34.153-04:00Great New for Libraries
Michael Moore has agreed to donate several thousand copies of his books and films to libraries with funding problems. How kind and generous of him. I hope he knows how much we will appreciate having his lies and bullshit available for all to read and see.
He also donated $25,000 to ALA's Spectrum Initiative, a program aimed at increasing library staff ethnic diversity Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-947508802003-05-22T15:33:00.000-04:002003-05-22T15:34:51.000-04:00Genetic Alterations: a libertarian issue?
There are many issues to consider in the future of genetics. How can genetics improve treatment of illnesses and prolonged life? How will cloning help us find cures? What are the ethical issues involved in cloning and genetics? What about genetic selection in the creation of a child? Lots of people have opinions on all of these topics. For now, letsMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-947480452003-05-22T14:23:00.000-04:002003-05-22T14:23:46.333-04:00And here is a great statement on my view of the patriot act and the claims about an expectation of privacy.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-947424772003-05-22T12:06:00.000-04:002003-05-22T12:06:48.153-04:00I haven't done much that past few days except read email from a listserv of young librarians and read Unshelved strips from the pats year. This one says perfectly how I feel about filtering and children in libraries.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-946928702003-05-21T12:43:00.000-04:002003-05-21T12:43:23.850-04:00Everyone likes the idea of scantily clad librarians!
Okay, so no pictures there. But checkout this calendar.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-946926032003-05-21T12:37:00.000-04:002003-05-21T12:37:14.110-04:00"My son is doing a book report on WWII, but I don't want him exposed to any violence."Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-943942942003-05-15T11:30:00.000-04:002003-05-15T11:34:41.000-04:00Larry Elder Day
Jaws blog calls today Ann Coulter day because it's Thursday and her column comes out on Thursday. Well, as much as I enjoy reading Ann Coulter, even though I don't always agree with her, Thursday for me is Larry Elder day. Today is the day his weekly column is published. Often when reading his column, I think if this wasn't so well written, I would think that I wrote it. ThereMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-943431552003-05-14T15:01:00.000-04:002003-05-14T15:01:58.086-04:00Is this a joke? Do grown people really behave like this?
From the Houstin Chronicle:
"Outnumbered by House Republicans determined to pass a congressional redistricting bill, all but a few Democrats went into hiding today to keep the House from meeting. The House's GOP leader responded by ordering state troopers to find and arrest the missing lawmakers."
This is ridiculous.
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-938165202003-05-05T15:19:00.000-04:002003-05-05T15:19:56.000-04:00The latest headline: Work Pays. Can you believe it?
Thomas Sowell debunks the argument of the envy zealots with facts.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-934846302003-04-29T15:58:00.000-04:002003-04-29T15:58:56.140-04:00Suing John Ashcroft
Medical Marijuana patients in Santa Cruz, CA are suing John Ashcroft, John Brown, and John Walters for "violating the right of medical marijuana patients to make decisions about their pain relief -- and ultimately the final moments of their lives."
DEA agents have confiscated marijuana and arrested patients and growers. Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM) along Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-931838362003-04-24T12:04:00.000-04:002003-04-24T12:04:40.226-04:00A colleague pointed out the following research website. An informative site offering insight into research and library use by a certain population. Enjoy. Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-927890962003-04-17T13:33:00.000-04:002003-04-17T14:36:25.000-04:00This retired Harvard librarian thinks libraries are going down the drain. That may be true in some cases. Governor Rendell's unintended budget cut PA library spending by 50%, after Ridge did so much to increase library funding. But in Wilmington, DE, libraries are expanding and building new branches.
First link courtesy of Blake at LIS News.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-927880982003-04-17T13:14:00.000-04:002003-04-17T13:19:21.000-04:00My grandmother died last night. I thought for sure she would make it through Lent. I guess it's fitting that such a devout Catholic will be in Heaven for Easter.
On to the funeral. Pray that my mother can keep her mouth shut about her dead mother-in-law.
Since my grandmother was 100% Irish, shall I mourn as the Irish do? Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-927816122003-04-17T11:16:00.000-04:002003-04-17T11:16:08.326-04:00Kamil at the Zogby Blog quotes and comments on Walter Williams, the welfare state, and redistribution of wealth as theft. As usual, Williams is brilliant and Kamil's not too shabby himself.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-927320072003-04-16T15:27:00.000-04:002003-04-16T15:27:04.343-04:00Generally, this blog is not about personal items. There are many blogs out there where people talk about there daily lives. I am more interested in talking about politics and library issues. But my grandmother, who has suffered with cancer for several years and has been in a hospice for almost 5 weeks, went into a coma today. It's not likely she will ever come out of it and probably has only Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-927212322003-04-16T11:53:00.000-04:002003-04-16T11:53:10.263-04:00I was just reading Delaware's News Journal and discovered that Ward Connerly spoke at Widener University law school last night. I'm sorry I missed that. Apparently, he spoke on the issue of affirmative action, which is a topic that I have stong opinions on. In case you don't know who Connerly is, he is a black lawyer who got the California Civil Rights Initiative passed in 1996, which banned Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-927153082003-04-16T10:06:00.000-04:002003-04-16T10:08:40.000-04:00Another Lecture at Penn last night sponsored by the Objectivist Clubs of Penn and Drexel. The Speaker was Dr. Yaron Brook, executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute. His lecture was on "The moral case for supporting Israel".
His basic argument was that Israel made a democratic country out of nothing, while the Palestinians, who were offered a state at the same time, decided instead to Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-926687102003-04-15T15:45:00.000-04:002003-04-15T15:45:54.810-04:00Rachel Lucas paid $3,449 in taxes today. Read her rant on infuriating taxes.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-926664142003-04-15T15:02:00.000-04:002003-04-15T15:02:59.983-04:00Carl has some interesting comments on redistribution and Earned Income Tax Credit.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-926567992003-04-15T12:04:00.000-04:002003-04-15T12:21:13.000-04:00It's tax day and as usual, I'm a procrastinator. My husband is a budget analyst, but for some reason I do our taxes. Today I realize that I don't have all the forms I need for my states taxes. Can you believe my state taxes are as difficult as the federal? I work in a different state (DE) than I live (PA) and they have no reciprocal agreement. Wouldn't you think two states with such close Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-926468522003-04-15T09:03:00.000-04:002003-04-15T09:05:06.000-04:00I love things about librarians that don't fit the stereotype of the old maid, bun and cardigan wearing, shushing librarian. Here is one of the best ads ever about librarians.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-924474612003-04-11T16:03:00.000-04:002003-04-11T16:03:37.560-04:00I went to see a lecture by Dr. Gary Hull at Penn last night. It was part of a lecture series on Defense of America sponsored by Drexel and Penn Objectivist Clubs. Dr. Hull was unable to make it due to bad weather in Raleigh. And I forgot to write down the name of the guy who gave the lecture instead. But here is a summary of some of what he said.
The title of the lecture was "Twin Towers Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-924332572003-04-11T11:43:00.000-04:002003-04-11T11:43:37.483-04:00Sen. Biden has proposed an amendment to the Bioterrorism Preparedness Act, which will provide $150 million over the next two years to improve global disease surveillance. With the recent SARS scare, this amendment will probably be popular. But it seems like a load of pork to me. More money for WHO and developing countries. Biden says, "Any comprehensive response to bioterrorism must include Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-923800782003-04-10T16:02:00.000-04:002003-04-10T16:02:04.216-04:00Watergate Papers sold to University of Texas at Austin for $5 million. The collection will be called the Woodward-Bernstein Watergate Archive.
"As part of the extraordinary deal to purchase the materials, the university agreed to honor Woodward and Bernstein’s long-standing commitment to protect the identity of a number of confidential sources until their deaths, including “Deep Throat,” the Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-923785912003-04-10T15:34:00.000-04:002003-04-10T15:34:09.593-04:00Larry Kudlow thinks the economy is about to improve. One reason: President Bush's pro-growth tax reform.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-922291112003-04-08T12:22:00.000-04:002003-04-08T12:22:56.000-04:00Nominate a Public Librarian
The New York Times is giving librarian awards. "The awards honor those librarians who consistently demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism, knowledge and public service in the execution of their duties."
Winner will receive $2500.
If only I still worked in a public library...Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-920020932003-04-04T15:21:00.000-05:002003-04-04T15:21:10.246-05:00Thomas Sowell continues his opposition to Affirmative Action. I'm tired of thinking and have nothing to add. Just read it if you care about this.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-919887752003-04-04T11:15:00.000-05:002003-04-04T11:17:38.000-05:00My application for poet laureate, not that I'm really a poet, includes two limericks:
Once we heard the words of old Helen
And we listened to what she was yellin'
But she made no sense
And she made Ari tense
So Rummy beat her till she screamed it was Orwellian.
and
Why do we let Helen be seen?
Her chromosomes are missing a gene.
Her agenda is all
That she seems to recall
And she thinks she is Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-919595172003-04-03T23:17:00.000-05:002003-04-03T23:37:38.000-05:00The House has approved $80 billion for the war. President Bush asked for $75 billion. I wonder what the extra $5 billion is for.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-919363472003-04-03T16:01:00.000-05:002003-04-03T16:01:35.373-05:00Affirmative Action Again
Thomas Sowell makes a point that seems often overlooked in this debate. Larry Elder has made the same point in his book Ten Things you can't say in America. Basically, when people are admitted into a school where they are underqualified, they are more likely to dropout. Why don't people get that?
"Most black students who enter college do not graduate -- and that is Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-919161842003-04-03T09:54:00.000-05:002003-04-03T09:57:07.000-05:00The Dead are back
Surviving members of the Grateful Dead will be touring this summer, with Steve Wynwood and Willie Nelson.
Thanks to Emily at Give war a chance. She does not seem too happy about the news.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-918466622003-04-02T10:13:00.000-05:002003-04-02T10:16:31.000-05:00Enumerated Powers Act
Have you heard of this act? If you have not, it's probably because it has never been passed by congress. But the basis for this act is that many government programs are really unconstitutional, but most people don't know that. When the constitution was written, it was not intended for congress to have unlimited power and unlimited spending. The spending of congress was Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-917938572003-04-01T16:07:00.000-05:002003-04-01T16:07:38.873-05:00Protesting the USA Patriot Act
From American Libraries Online:
"About 60 people participated in a “subversive book checkout” at Longmont (Colo.) Public Library March 15 to draw attention to what the event’s organizers call “the danger to civil liberties posed by the USA Patriot Act.”
Longmont Citizens for Justice and Democracy invited patrons to join a march to the library, where they lined upMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-915606802003-03-28T14:04:00.000-05:002003-03-28T14:05:38.000-05:00They just love Pork.
Congress has added $4 billion to the Presidents proposal for $27 billion for immediate relief for the war. But of course that was all pork, not actually for anything related to the war. For example, $2 million is slated for the Smithsonian worm collection. Other winners: student housing in Baltimore, honeybee research, and coral reef mapping in Hawaii. Read Brian RiedlMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-914925892003-03-27T13:03:00.000-05:002003-03-27T13:03:12.140-05:00Check out the discussion of my Daniel Pipes summary at armchair journalists.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-914244222003-03-26T13:11:00.000-05:002003-03-26T13:13:52.000-05:00Librarians sue over Pornagraphy
According to the Pioneer Press, library workers in Minneapolis filed a suit because of a hostile work environment. I'll say. According to the article, the library workers were harrassed and threatened by regular patrons of the library who used the Internet to access pornography. "The women have complained about the problem since the late 1990s, but library Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-914209492003-03-26T12:04:00.000-05:002003-03-27T12:10:51.000-05:00Daniel Pipes Lecture
I went to see Daniel Pipes last night and wrote a summary of his lecture, which I am posting here. If you're not interested, don't read it.
The event was sponsored by the Objectivist Clubs of Penn and Drexel. The title of his talk was “The War Against Militant Islam.”
He spoke briefly about the current situation in Iraq, focusing on three thoughts. First, how can SaddamMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-913663772003-03-25T15:49:00.000-05:002003-03-25T15:57:02.000-05:00Women's History Month, Celebrating Liberty
The Cato Institute has a tribute to "three women who launched a movement:"
Rose Wilder Lane
Isabel Paterson
Ayn Rand
"Unconstrained by conventional political categories, they savaged the collectivist economic nostrums of the left even while, in their lives and careers, they exploded the rigid gender roles seen as sacrosanct by so many on the right. In Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-913497172003-03-25T10:33:00.000-05:002003-03-25T10:33:37.373-05:00Librarians in Cuba arrested as dissidents:
"The librarians are private citizens who have turned their homes into reading rooms where Cuban citizens can read unauthorized, so-called ''counter-revolutionary'' literature. Among them are books by Martin Luther King and Vaclav Havel, and Animal Farm by George Orwell."
The arrests were blamed on James Cason, the principal U.S. diplomat in Cuba. "Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-912956732003-03-24T14:36:00.000-05:002003-03-25T09:31:26.000-05:00Patriot Act, reprise
In last months American Libraries (mag of ALA), Bernie Sanders has an op-ed on the patriot act. Basically, he is opposed to it as he see it as a threat to libraries. He is supporting legislation to exempt libraries and booksellers from parts of the Act. I've already outlined my views on the patriot act and it's affect on libraries. So I won't go into that again. I just Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-911325832003-03-21T12:02:00.000-05:002003-03-24T13:42:57.000-05:00Libraries could lose funding in CA.
Apparently, libraries that previously loaned items to neighboring counties for free will have to discontinue this free service. Many librarians are upset about this, but that's what you get when you elect a crooked, high-spending governor. Twice.
There are a few ways for the libraries to deal with this loss of funds. They can charge patrons of other countiesMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-909234942003-03-18T09:28:00.000-05:002003-03-18T09:28:33.186-05:00Zero Tolerance Abuse:
"A student told a teacher that Kevin Long had a knife at Struthers (Ohio) Elementary School. Sure enough, the first-grader had a small plastic knife in his book bag that he got from the school cafeteria. He had kept it so he could show his mother he had learned how to butter bread. The school's zero tolerance policy says a knife is a weapon, so Principal Betty Washington Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-907242852003-03-14T14:14:00.000-05:002003-03-14T14:19:59.000-05:00Read Orrin Judd's "Not as an Adversary" . I can't even describe this or add anything to it. Just read it (it's a bit long).Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-907225372003-03-14T13:40:00.000-05:002003-03-14T13:40:19.110-05:00The bitch girls pointed out an important article from the Dayton Daily News:
"House passes gun bill: Concealed carry proposal heads to Senate."
Great news. I hope it passes the senate. Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-907137472003-03-14T10:43:00.000-05:002003-03-14T10:47:27.000-05:00I hate pork. And I don't mean the other white meat. I mean government pork. Michelle Malkin writes about the excessive spending of the Transportation Security Administration. Here is just one example:
"Soon after its creation, TSA awarded a $104 million recruitment contract to NCS Pearson, praised by Secretary Mineta as a "terrific private-sector firm." The company did a terrific job -- ofMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-905240732003-03-11T10:04:00.000-05:002003-03-11T10:04:24.030-05:00Again, I must respond to the zogbyblog about a library issue: the Patriot Act. So, the FBI can ask for information on people from a library or bookstore. This is private information and I am a libertarian who believes in individual rights. But I am an American first and as far as I'm concerned, national security comes first. And don't even start with the "slippery slope" argument, because it Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-902418432003-03-06T10:33:00.000-05:002003-03-06T10:51:42.000-05:00So I am on the spot now on the issue of filters in libraries. We know what Kamil at the zogby blog thinks about it. But he also thinks that all libraries should always be quiet. That is just not realistic for some libraries.
As with many issues, I believe this is one that should be handled on a local level, not ruled by the federal government. The communities who use the libraries, who have Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-901205642003-03-04T12:06:00.000-05:002003-03-04T12:06:41.030-05:00Deroy Murdock says "fight bombs, not bongs. A few quotes on the absurdity and waste of the war on drugs:
"Last Monday, with America tensely poised at Orange Alert against new terrorist attacks, vigilant, machine-gun-toting National Guardsmen were becoming common in New York's subway stations. So, Attorney General John Ashcroft targeted a fearsome threat: marijuana pipes."
""There is no Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-897322752003-02-25T15:59:00.000-05:002003-02-25T15:59:38.043-05:00Larry Elder says what we can't about black leadership.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-895064552003-02-21T12:27:00.000-05:002003-02-21T12:42:42.000-05:00I heard a few days ago that Bono was nominated for the nobel peace prize. Read here to see others who have been nominated, including former governor Ryan and Chirac. I was initally appalled, but then I remembered who one last year (JC) and some others (Arafat) in recent years. And I remembered that this prize means nothing anymore. Also, they suggest that it's not likely an American will win.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-895061992003-02-21T12:22:00.000-05:002003-02-21T12:23:06.000-05:00John Derbyshire points out, in the corner, two good things about the Belgians: 1. They have produced some great mathematicians. 2. They rank third in the world for per capita consumption of beer. I would say I'm not surprised by his knowledge of mathematicians. He seems a bit obsessed with math related things. Also, I would add another thing about Belgium. They have produced some great beer.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-895027652003-02-21T11:17:00.000-05:002003-02-21T11:17:47.853-05:00I have not been reading the corner much lately. Too busy watching Joe Millionare. Actually, my husband has criticized me for watching it, saying I am contributing to the dumbing down of America. Well, that my be true, but I'm not the only one. It seems Rod Dreher and John Derbyshire have watched it and enjoyed it! I know, the "they're doing it so why can't I" excuse is not a good one. But Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-894497912003-02-20T14:40:00.000-05:002003-02-20T14:49:43.000-05:00I was reading an article today from The News Journal (the daily paper in wilmington, DE) about Title IX. The articles is from Monday, Feb 10, 2003. Written by a man (Doug Lesmerises) for the sports sections, the article talks about the 16th Annual Women in Sports Day luncheon, attended mostly by female high school athletes. The guest speaker was Gwen Harris, a UPenn coach, and she spoke only Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-894422372003-02-20T12:19:00.000-05:002003-02-20T12:19:37.000-05:00Jay Nordlinger has written extensively about Jimmy Carter. I compare his views of Jimmy Carter to Bjorn Lomborg's views of the environment. Nordlinger had been a fan of Jimmy Carter, but the more he read, the more reasons he found to dislike the former president. Now he writes about the anti-Americanism (not just anti-war views) that Carter continues to exhibit. Here is a recent interview of Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-890987552003-02-14T11:47:00.000-05:002003-02-14T11:47:18.243-05:00It's valentine's day. I hate this made up holiday because people spend $3.50 on a card, pay incredibly high prices for flowers and restaurants are often over-crowded. I really just hate the commercial aspect of it. And I hate the fact that men buy flowers when they are the most expensive ever because women expect it and would be upset if they did not get flowers. I'd rather get flowers on Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-890528322003-02-13T16:28:00.000-05:002003-02-13T16:28:23.346-05:00More great stuff from David Frum. Anyone who thinks France is admirable for opposing the war must read this article. They have more to lose than just oil if Saddam is defeated. I guess I should say when he is defeated.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-890490042003-02-13T15:10:00.000-05:002003-02-13T15:10:00.960-05:00After you read Frum on the Isreal-Palestine proposal, scroll down and read his views on the French reasons for opposing the war. Could be very helpful in debating the war.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-890481032003-02-13T14:51:00.000-05:002003-02-13T14:54:34.000-05:00What are Brzezinski and Skowcroft thinking with their "new" Israel-Palestine proposal? Palestinians get a country, money and Arafat while Israel gets a promise to try to stop terrorism against her people. Why do so many people expect Israel to give up so much and risk the existance of their country for nothing or little in return? Read David Frum's take on this proposal.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-889267322003-02-11T14:26:00.000-05:002003-02-11T14:26:43.606-05:00Must read article in the Spectator by Mark Steyn on why he is against a UN war and the UN in general. Many have said the UN should go the way of the League of Nations, which it replaced. So what does Steyn thing should replace the UN? "What should replace the UN? Well, some people talk about a ‘caucus of the democracies’. But I’d like to propose a more radical suggestion: Nothing." Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-877897842003-01-21T12:00:00.000-05:002003-01-21T12:02:04.000-05:00Some morons in the UK think that making smaller candybars would make people eat less and reduce obesity. Guess what. If you make them smaller, they will just eat more than one. People who really want the king size candy bar will just buy two. Those of us who are not obese are often tempted to eat too much. But we usually resist. It's a thing called "will power" and people who completely Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-877852092003-01-21T10:20:00.000-05:002003-01-21T10:20:04.250-05:00Can you believe that Robert Mugabe has been welcome in our country by democrats and UN leaders, while behaving this way in his own? Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-876028252003-01-17T14:09:00.000-05:002003-01-17T14:10:34.000-05:00Daschle is again disappointed with the Bush Administration. He has accused Bush and others who are opposed to affirmative action of being racist. What an insult. He should read Deroy Murdock on the topic.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900616.post-861660902002-12-17T09:20:00.000-05:002002-12-17T09:20:35.000-05:00I am already outraged by Daniel Pipes' assessment of the new tax-payer funded, PBS documentary about Islam and Muhammad. I have not seen it, but I tend to believe Pipes on this one. I am torn between wanting to view it to see for myself and wanting to boycott it. You can also read PBS' ad for the program.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993039692907435536noreply@blogger.com0