Re: Dr L. and Letters

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

Ok. I give up. Only certain people have free speech rights (ie.
entertainers, and people we don't take seriously), is that it?  Let's face
it, many of us really don't believe in free speech for everyone. So, if we
shut up Dr. Laura and Rush Limbaugh, who will be next? You?  Think about
it. I think it is obvious from the many responses on this issue that we
don't really tolerate dissidence as much as we would like to believe.
No more posts from me on this issue. Back to inventory!
PM

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 Mon, 17 May 1999, Gordon Riley wrote:

> I think Howard Stern is an entertainer, and I am no more offended by him than I 
>am by Dice Clay or Gilbert Gottfried.  He is not really taken seriously.  Dr. L is 
>more of an early Rush Limbaugh, whose simple platitudes were taken seriously 
>before he was ultimately consigned to the quackpot bin.
>
> 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> 05/16 12:00 PM >>>
> 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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