Re: Censorship on library listservs

["ELIZABETH A. KAMINETZ" <EAKAMINE@HENRICO.K12.VA.US>]

Gordon et. al,
With all due respect to Peter and others:

I have to say that there are many things that Gordon said that I agree with.
I was disappointed when the Dr. Laura discussion was halted.  I have been a
member of other educational listservs where the "Dr. Laura" type debates and
discussions were welcome and encouraged.  It is only through discussion,
argument, and deabte that our ideas can be put to the test;  only when ideas
are challenged does one really figure out why they believe in what they say
they believe in.  I am not afraid of debate or disagreement, in fact, I think
that this listserve, albeit wonderfully helpful and collegial, is actually
lacking in professional discourse about some very important issues in
libraries today.

Maybe LM-NET is not the right forum for these types of discussions.  If
postings should be of a practical nature, then debate on issues should be
taken elsewhere.  However, if discussion on topics of libraries is
appropriate, then why halt discussions?  I would think that in the virtual
safe community of librarians we should feel comfortable discussing and
debating, thus clarifying our own philosophies and practices, or even having
our minds changed.  In this extremely collegial group of professionals, why is
discussion stopped except for fear of flaming?  Why can't we as professionals
and partners, discuss and disagree without personally attacking?  Is a
disagreement always a flame?

I am grateful to Peter for his hard work, and respect his right to moderate
his list serve.  Most of the time, the moderation is appropriate and little
discussion seems stifled to me.  However, I applaud Gordon for advancing a
seemingly controversial topic, and encouraging us to talk about what we
believe.

It all reminds me of Jerry in the Chocolate War (and Eliot's Prufrock)...do I
dare disturb the universe???

Disturbing the universe,
Liz K.

Wendy Larson wrote:
>
> Dear Gordon,
>
> Since you took this public . . .
>
> I would like to affirm Jane Coffey's response to the accusation of censorship
> on LM_NET.
>
> I do not want to read a never-ending discussion of Dr. Laura, thank you very
> much.
>
> Wendy P. Larson, IMC Coordinator
> Kenwood Trail Junior High School
> Lakeville, MN  55044
>
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--
Elizabeth A. Kaminetz
Information Specialist
L. Douglas Wilder Middle School
Richmond, VA 23227
eakamine@henrico.k12.va.us

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