- " Former congresswoman and one-time presidential .... - " Former congresswoman and one-time presidential candidate Pat Schroeder is hardly a Washington novice, but she took a political drubbing recently from the unlikeliest of foes: a bunch of librarians."
"Schroeder, who now heads the Assn. of American Publishers, had the temerity to publicly criticize libraries for their stance on copyright laws and for distributing free copies of electronic books and articles that publishers are trying to sell. Schroeder's spokeswoman made matters worse by complaining about the libraries' "radical factions."
"Librarians pounced. They roasted Schroeder for "library-bashing." They confronted Schroeder at public appearances, demanding an apology. They wrote to lawmakers en masse to complain."
"Eventually, Schroeder raised a white flag and backed away from her comments."
"The lesson? Don't mess with librarians these days." (from The LA Times - Thanks Cyndi for the submission) [Library Stuff - Updated daily by Steven M. Cohen]
This is a very interesting article.
"If we are going to provide these funds, how will they be used?" asked Rep. Charles W. "Chip" Pickering Jr. (R-Miss.), one of the chief sponsors of the Internet filtering bill that libraries blocked. "Will they be used to promote a radical, extremist social agenda? Libraries are like Mom and apple pie. Why would they want to squander their goodwill and good reputations to get involved in issues like child pornography?"
Politics is a dirty game - and I think librarians have surprised themselves (and their opponents) by getting their hands dirty lately. This isn't all good, but it's essential, otherwise the profession might as well be prepared to roll-over & die - as it inevitably becomes irrelevant to its ethics and the public. Everybody would be more comfortable staying out of the fray, but that would be letting the Content Cartel and the forces of paranoia set the agenda. Every profession or industry is politicized to a certain extent. An apolitical profession is a like an innocent lamb that trusts in the goodness of the world. I used to work in the credit union industry - which is in virtually constant political/legal strife with the banks. The important thing is that you don't have to be partisan to be politcal.
I also had to post this one so that I could flout the L.A. Times' regressive anti-linking policy.
11:31:00 PM 
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