A Little Sooner Than Expected: Zombie and Librarians with Bugs Up Their Butts the Size of Emus
I know I said I'd post when I got news on the job front, but I felt the need to post without that justification.
First, Zombie called me. For once, I wasn't sitting on top of my phone, so it went to voicemail. He left a somewhat scattered message: he was sorry he stood me up, something had come up, it probably would again, he was sorry, he didn't want to waste my time, I deserved better, etc., etc. I suppose this counts as closure.
Second of all, the PubLib listserv I belong to has been pretty amusing as of late. Someone posted the American Library Association (ALA) resolution opposing Samuel Alito's confirmation. A conservative posted that this was the reason he didn't belong to ALA anymore, how'd they never get his money again, nyah, nyah, nyah. Other objections came in that this didn't have anything to do with libraries, or only peripherally so. Now, the proponents of the resolution came out in force as well: this had everything to do with privacy rights and other librarian concerns, if you didn't belong to ALA or vote for its councillors, you didn't have the right to complain, etc. My personal opinion? I oppose the Alito nomination for reasons anyone who knows me can imagine, but I'm not sure the ALA resolution carries much weight since the issues don't seem to directly affect libraries and giving voice to too many peripheral issues tends to dilute the efficacy of a pronouncement from a professional organization. Now I understand that most librarians are women and Alito's opnions affect us about as deeply as possible, but I have trouble seeing how politicians are going to make the connection between the ALA and vital issues.
That said, I'm all for pushy broads like me telling Congressmen (and let's be honest, they're almost all men) that they will lose political capital and votes if they confirm this sow's ear to the Supreme Court. Fortunately, I live in a district represented by Democrats who aren't particularly interested in "bipartisanship" on this issue. Neither are most Democrats in federal office, but the Republicans have the votes. So, what to do? We've feared that something like this would happen, and here it is. Now, I'm guilty of sitting on my ass on this one, but I have little time and less money. It seems to me that those of you living in Republican states should make it clear where your money and votes will be going in the elections in November. Maybe I should join a phone bank. I'll check into it. Some of you are experienced at community organizing, get off your asses!
Well, I wasn't expecting to do any rabble-rousing tonight, but there you go. I feel good.
First, Zombie called me. For once, I wasn't sitting on top of my phone, so it went to voicemail. He left a somewhat scattered message: he was sorry he stood me up, something had come up, it probably would again, he was sorry, he didn't want to waste my time, I deserved better, etc., etc. I suppose this counts as closure.
Second of all, the PubLib listserv I belong to has been pretty amusing as of late. Someone posted the American Library Association (ALA) resolution opposing Samuel Alito's confirmation. A conservative posted that this was the reason he didn't belong to ALA anymore, how'd they never get his money again, nyah, nyah, nyah. Other objections came in that this didn't have anything to do with libraries, or only peripherally so. Now, the proponents of the resolution came out in force as well: this had everything to do with privacy rights and other librarian concerns, if you didn't belong to ALA or vote for its councillors, you didn't have the right to complain, etc. My personal opinion? I oppose the Alito nomination for reasons anyone who knows me can imagine, but I'm not sure the ALA resolution carries much weight since the issues don't seem to directly affect libraries and giving voice to too many peripheral issues tends to dilute the efficacy of a pronouncement from a professional organization. Now I understand that most librarians are women and Alito's opnions affect us about as deeply as possible, but I have trouble seeing how politicians are going to make the connection between the ALA and vital issues.
That said, I'm all for pushy broads like me telling Congressmen (and let's be honest, they're almost all men) that they will lose political capital and votes if they confirm this sow's ear to the Supreme Court. Fortunately, I live in a district represented by Democrats who aren't particularly interested in "bipartisanship" on this issue. Neither are most Democrats in federal office, but the Republicans have the votes. So, what to do? We've feared that something like this would happen, and here it is. Now, I'm guilty of sitting on my ass on this one, but I have little time and less money. It seems to me that those of you living in Republican states should make it clear where your money and votes will be going in the elections in November. Maybe I should join a phone bank. I'll check into it. Some of you are experienced at community organizing, get off your asses!
Well, I wasn't expecting to do any rabble-rousing tonight, but there you go. I feel good.
posted by S. M. Frances at 10:32 PM
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