Laura Bush, Librarian(?)
Did anybody else see the President and First Lady on Larry King last week? Someone wrote in to ask Laura Bush a question about website filtering:
KING: Laura, let me ask you. One came in for you. “I read that you were once a librarian and I wonder what your feelings are on the provision of the Patriot Act that requires public libraries to use filters that restrict access to certain kinds of Web sites. Are you for or against this kind of censorship?”
L. BUSH: Well, there are several issues there. There is pornography that is on the Web sites that librarians are asked to filter for children who use their computers. Obviously I’m not for censorship of any kind. But on the other hand I think librarians, just like teachers and just like parents should choose what’s appropriate for our children — for their children — to not have their children see something that’s not really appropriate for them.
I don't really know where to start with this one so I'm leaving it open for discussion.
The rest of the transcript can be found at:
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2006/07/president_bush_on_larry_king_live_transcript_/
Did anybody else see the President and First Lady on Larry King last week? Someone wrote in to ask Laura Bush a question about website filtering:
KING: Laura, let me ask you. One came in for you. “I read that you were once a librarian and I wonder what your feelings are on the provision of the Patriot Act that requires public libraries to use filters that restrict access to certain kinds of Web sites. Are you for or against this kind of censorship?”
L. BUSH: Well, there are several issues there. There is pornography that is on the Web sites that librarians are asked to filter for children who use their computers. Obviously I’m not for censorship of any kind. But on the other hand I think librarians, just like teachers and just like parents should choose what’s appropriate for our children — for their children — to not have their children see something that’s not really appropriate for them.
I don't really know where to start with this one so I'm leaving it open for discussion.
The rest of the transcript can be found at:
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2006/07/president_bush_on_larry_king_live_transcript_/
posted by BrianG at
6:17 PM
11 Comments:
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
By
Eva G., At
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
I'd like to plop on another little bit of doody on that quote, a part that comes right after what Brian posted.
The First Lady continues,
"I know there’s also a part — assume there are some filters on how to make bombs, those sort of things, and sure, I’m not really anxious on everyone to have access to that."
So much for being against censorship. But Larry King did mention that she USED to be a librarian. And she didn't correct him, so I'm assuming she agreed with that statement. The librarian inside her gone, for sure.
By
Eva G., At
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
By
The Donegalitarian, At
Thursday, July 13, 2006
We must remember that despite all the "Radical Militant Librarians" out there, many people who go into the profession are conservatives, or republicans, etc.
Also, when it comes to filtering, I'm so sad that she didn't talk about this, many libraries can't get funding from certain sources if they don't filter. (Do some database searches for E-Rate.)Some libraries just can't afford not to. What is better: a library that closes because it didn't have enough money, or a library that is open and filters the internet?
Patrons should be aware that adults can request a non-filtered computer. Also, a library should have the capability of turning off a filter for an adult patron, if s/he requests it.
By
The Tattooed Librarian, At
Friday, July 14, 2006
Sorry, there, Jethro, but porn, advertisements, McWorld, pop culture, the Bible, books on gays - this is ALL considered intellectual property, whether you like it or not. For more on intellectual property, take 6010 - Introduction to the Profession. Good class. Take Schroeder and pay very close attention.
No, I don't like the idea that children's lit and porn are both classified as intellectual property and are sort of under the same umbrella. Regardless, I'm going to "bow to the dusty alter of ALA" and accept my responsibilty as a librarian and protect the privacy of patrons. If you don't want to take on the duties of a librarian, get a new profession. You don't become a fireman if you're afraid of flame. You don't become a doctor if you're not in agreement with the Hippocratic Oath. You don't become a librarian if you don't respect privacy and welcome censorship.
Why don't you stop piling on ALA and go after some real bad guys, like our lying, deceptive, crooked government leaders who authorize spying on American citizens, who spend nothing on education, overspend on war, send our young men and women to die, invade nations just to create lush terrorist breeding grounds, etc, etc?
Reality check: a deceptive (and incompetent) government is MUCH worse for everyone than porn and music videos.
Just for s**** and giggles, exactly what "might [sic] current" are you talking about? Did you mean something out there was censoring our free speech and that was a good thing?
Please refer to the Constitution of the United States. The Bill of Rights makes for great reading and is a foundation for my "dusty alter."
By
Eva G., At
Friday, July 14, 2006
The ALA's stance on filters is that they should not be placed on any library computers whether used by children or not. They promote parents teaching their children about what is appropriate on the Internet and not relying on filters to babysit their kids. I agree with ALA because the fact is that filters don't work; they over or under filter. If a minor is researching breast cancer or wants to find information on being gay or pregnant and does not want their parents to know, they should be able to find that information at the library without being filtered. On the other hand, I'm not sure how realistic ALA is being. I have to say, If I were a parent, I would probably be more comfortable with my children being at the public library knowing that they are not looking at porn on the Internet either intentially or accidently. What do you all think? It seems like both anti-filterers and the pro-filterers are talking in absolutes. Is there a middle ground?
By
BrianG, At
Friday, July 14, 2006
I agree about the absolutes point, Brian. However, back in the day when I was in Catholic school (believe it or not), we had a little library and this is in the primitive days of computing and we had no internet, to be sure.
The boys in my class were all about looking at boobs. Back then, they didn't have easy access to free porn and cable was rare because our parents blew their money on private school. So where did they go?
National Geographic.
They looked for articles on primitive tribes and looked at the naked women in them. I'm not joking (but I know it's hilarious). Mind you I'm talking about 7th graders.
Anyway, knowing this has happened, would one take National Geographic off the shelves? What about that cool article about Mount Everest or that article about a trip through an Indian village? N.G. is an incredible publication. It'd be tragic if it was pulled.
I think there might be a middle ground, but the internet really makes things complicated. It's HUGE. So vast, always growing.
Yet, from the example above, kids will be kids and I truely feel that good parenting is the best filter.
Easier said than done, I know.
Parents (esp. librarian parents), what do you all think?
By
Eva G., At
Friday, July 14, 2006
I was once an adolescent male and therefore think that I can speak as an expert when I say that there is a big difference between National Geographic and pornography.
But I hear what you are saying, eva g. and I agree with you for the most part. It brings up a couple points about filters: they offer parents a false sense of security, and they are decidint what is appropriate for kids to see.
Beside over or under blocking sites, there are also ways to get around filtering software. I did a report on filters for 6010 and learned of a simple technique, tested it out at DPL (which has a very strict filter) and it worked. No, I wasn't using my new found power to check out porn at the public library, this was a purely scientific experiment. But, if I were a 7th grader and I knew of this filter kryptonite, who knows what kind of mischief I would get myself into.
Also, what one parent sees as appropriate for thier child to have access to, another is sure to disagree.
Again, I'm not a parent so my views might be different if I were one.
By
BrianG, At
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Herd mentality? Sorry, but in America's current political climate, it is much harder to take a stand against censorship than to simply agree with the Dr. Laura worshipping, ALA hating, conservative agenda. Might I suggest that you try out your profession in a different sphere, Mr. Soren, like as a librarian for a fascist dictator? Maybe Kim Jong-il has some openings.
By
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Wednesday, July 19, 2006
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