Re: Dr L. and Letters

[Patricia Mathews <mathews@ALEXIA.LIS.UIUC.EDU>]

Interesting thoughts on free speech. Do you enjoy Howard Stern's use of
free speech or are you just as vocal about his rantings and ravings -ie.
his comments after Columbine - something about how it was too bad they
didn't rape some victims as well.  Just wondering.

Pat Mathews                            "The love of learning,
Librarian                               the sequestered nooks,
Dr. Howard Elementary School            And all the sweet,
1117 W. Park Ave.                       serenity of books"
Champaign, IL 61821                                Longfellow
(217)351-3866
mathews@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu

On Sat, 15 May 1999, Gordon Riley wrote:

> 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.=20A
>
> Pat Mathews=09=09=09       "The love of learning,
>
>
>

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