Idiots in my community are trying to de-fund our Local Library

[bleedingheart]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07067/767562-56.stm

This tax referendum will result in a loss of approximately 80% of our library's funding.

Why is this referendum being pushed? Because the people behind it are all morons.

Here are the reasons us locals are aware of.

1. Some folks in Irwin are upset that the new library wasn't built in Irwin. Problem is that there wasn't enough land in Irwin and Irwin Council hasn't had a really good reputation working with people to do anything constructive. Past Irwin councils have fought building parks for kids...to give you an idea.

2. People are greedy. The $30-45 a year in taxes it takes per household to fund this brand new library is money they want back in their pockets to buy more lottery tickets.

3. Some of the folks behind this initiative don't think the library should have computers or teach elderly folks computer classes. "that's not what a library is for.."

I am very ashamed of my community for even having something like this on the ballot. There are people who are against the library who brag that they have never even visited the new library.

If you want to help to save our library please contact the library.

http://norwinlibrary.nb.net /

I cross posted this in the PA forum but I want to have more people be aware of the level to which this country has sunk.

When you have people so greedy that they would de-fund a library...is it any wonder that our service men and women can't get proper health-care? My stomach turns as I witness this kind of nonsense repeated over and over again.

[unhappycamper]

1. You might want to look at Friend of Libraries USA

http://www.folusa.org/

There's a lot of good info at this site.

[bleedingheart]

2. thanks! I will check into that

[sutz12]

3. How can people be proud of statements like...

"I've never been in a library in my life." ?

It's like they are proud to be ignorant.

:shrug:

[Ishoutandscream2]

6. Bush's Amerika.

It is now okay to be ignorant. Look at our glorious leader!

[bleedingheart]

7. they are proud of their ignorance...they wear it like a badge of honor

[hobbit709]

11. A long time ago

I read a sci-fi story about how all the intelligent people left Earth and the only smart ones left were a few altruistic technicians to keep the lights, phones, etc. working. They had to pass themselves off as ignorant yokels to do so. One day they got fed up and left.

[Jim__]

4. Things like this do make me question ...

... the efficacy of democracy. But then again, if it gets on the ballot and the community votes it down, then democracy looks workable.

I hope this nonsense gets sent to the resounding defeat it deserves.

[Tesha]

5. It's the latest step in the "March to Universal Ignorance"

Here in NH, it's town-meeting time and
public library initiatives have been
dying faster than Iraqis outside the
Green Zone.

Can't have none of that "book smarts" now,
can we?

Tesha

[bleedingheart]

8. well if we dumb down the populace enough...

perhaps they won't know enough to fight for their rights...and will work for less....the great cycle of repeating history can continue on...

[monarch]

10. Ain't that the truth! n/t

[TechBear_Seattle]

9. Wait until funding comes up for the new "fire house"

The first time I read "Fahrenheit 451" was when I checked it out of my local library.

[bleedingheart]

12. it has been a long long time since I read that book

I think I may have to stop by the library today to check it out again.

Hell it should be put on display to help other people understand how important it is to keep our library.

[TechBear_Seattle]

13. If there is time to mount an opposition campaign

I think Fahrenheit 451 would make a dandy rallying point. :hi:

[Elwood P Dowd]

21. The republican leaders have organisms over Fahrenheit 451

They want a dumbed down populace who see nothing but Fox News on the big screen.

[AnneD]

14. Idiots....

have no use for libraries....'nuff said.

[Jonathan50]

15. Heinlein had a lot to say about intelligence.

"Most people can't think, most of the remainder won't think, the small fraction who do think mostly can't do it very well. The extremely tiny fraction who think regularly, accurately, creatively, and without self-delusion -- in the long run, these are the only people who count." -Robert A Heinlein

"Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded — here and there, now and then — are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty.
This is known as "bad luck."" -Robert A Heinlein

"What are the facts? Again and again and again — what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what "the stars foretell," avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable "verdict of history" — what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts!" -Robert A Heinlein

"...brainpower is the scarcest commodity and the only one of real value." -Robert A Heinlein

"Being intelligent is not a felony. But most societies evaluate it as at least a misdemeanor." -Robert A Heinlein

"To stay young requires unceasing cultivation of the ability to unlearn old falsehoods." -Robert A Heinlein

"Being right too soon is socially unacceptable." -Robert A Heinlein

[bleedingheart]

17. thank you for those quotes

[conscious evolution]

25. Heinlein was a genius

His writings should be on everyones reading list's.
Collectively,his life's works provide an excellent look at how things really work behind the scenes.
My awareness and knowledge of propaganda and use of media in its many forms to influence public opinion is a result of his writings.Layman's explanations of advertising,marketing,group dynamics and mob psychology are common subjects or themes in many of his novels and short stories.
Fascism and corporatism are also common in his writings.
Religion and theocracy where also subjects of his pen.

He was also very prescient in many ways.The first time I ever heard of computerized voting systems being put into use the first thing that came to mind was how an election in one of his novels was rigged using a computer.

[The Cleaner]

16. We don't need no stinking edurkation!

Yes, helping people? Educating people? God forbid it!
:eyes:

Will write an LTTE if I have time.

[Ishoutandscream2]

18. "Paging Dr. Goebel's"

"Irwin, Pa. is requesting your help in a book burning. Line 3."

[Tom Joad]

19. They tried to do this in Salinas, CA. Steinbeck Country!

Naturally i was pissed!

Folks staged a read-in and the libraries were saved.

[GreenTea]

20. These are very greedy republicans, as seen all over the country...

They do not believe in helping the less fortunate the people who need & depend on library's...The selfish republicans say, "we can buy our own books, we don't need library's we aren't using them" These same sick republicans have no sense of community and see no benefit for themselves...These are very same mean ugly people who also see no value in educating the poor...keep the poor as dumb as possible...they make fine slaves.

[Generator]

22. That lottery comment cracks me up

Imagine if people spent their time reading what might happen! They could even learn some history. OH VEY. At least I live in the city with the highest library usage in the country. EAT THAT EAST COASTERS. Also, how many books can you BUY for $45 a year? (Also our library has DVD's, CD's, tapes, records, movies and even books on travel!-all free!)

And they are bragging about not reading. If that doesn't sum up America I don't know what does. It's not a mutually exclusive club. YES I can watch American Idol and vote in real elections. Yes I can watch LOST and also read real books. I hate that no TV argument. You can do more than one thing. But how can people not like to read? I don't understand that.

[MissB]

24. and our library even has zoo passes to check out!

And a wonderful summer reading program for kids. (I love Multnomah County Library!!!)

[ComerPerro]

23. and some people, honestly and truly, believe that

they shouldn't have to pay so some freeloaded can read books for free. Its sick and an incorrect generalization of libraries, and is completely self-centered. But some people honestly and truly believe that. I don't understand it, the whole "I got mine, fuck everyone else" mentality. But its popular.