Re: Dr L. and Letters

[Gordon Riley <Gordon_Riley@MERCERSBURG.EDU>]

It is my understanding that she did lobby ToysRUs, that she exhorted her =
users to do likewise, and subsequently bragged about her success on her =
show.  More to the point, she is clearly responsible for the obscene =
linkage of [money for children's reading rooms] and [ALA's position on =
filtering and the Library Bill of Rights].  Moreover, someone who is =
criticisizing ALA for free speech [nothing more than a position statement] =
and trying to censor ALA's ability to speak by bullying, slander and =
deprivation of funds does not rouse my symapthies to protect her right of =
free speech.  Furthermore, she can have all the free speech she wants in =
the world, but the radio airwaves are part of the public trust because =
they provide a powerful forum.  I am not criticising the speech so much as =
the abuse of the forum and public trust.


Gordon Riley
Technical Services Librarian
The Mercersburg Academy
Mercersburg, PA
Gordon_riley@mercersburg.edu
The opinions expressed are my own!

"It's all about sincerity.  Once you can fake that, you've got it made."  =
Former NFL Head Coach Monte Clark.

>>> Patricia Mathews <mathews@ALEXIA.LIS.UIUC.EDU> 05/14 9:06 PM >>>
My point was that Dr. Laura did not actively seek out Toys R Us and ask
them to stop helping the ALA.  Isn't it Toys R Us' perogative to fund what
and who they want?  Sometimes I wonder if we are as tolerant of free
speech as we would have everyone believe.  Do others HAVE to agree with
everything ALA does? Do you? Dr. Laura and those who agree with her have
that right.  They have the right to say things on a talk show if they
want. We have the right to agree or disagre, to listen or not listen. It
sound almost as if we are saying "let's censor Dr. Laura" because we're
upset and don't agree and it's not fair..." I hope not, that would be
incredibly dangerous.=3D20

Pat Mathews=3D09=3D09=3D09       "The love of learning,

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
    All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), send email to:
 listserv@listserv.syr.edu         In the message write EITHER:
 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
 3) SET LM_NET MAIL  * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv
 For LM_NET Help & Archives see:  http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=