Comments on: The only sure weapon against bad ideas is better ideas*

By: libodyssey

libodyssey — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 15:26:57 +0000

For those of a political bent, it looks as though Nanny Rudd is turning his attention to binge drinking next ... At least Senator Conroy has backed down on this issue for the moment.

By: Does anyone really want to talk to a librarian? « Libodyssey

Does anyone really want to talk to a librarian? « Libodyssey — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 04:34:55 +0000

[...] an earlier post, I discussed my belief that mandatory installation of internet filters has the potential to [...]

By: Drum roll for the blogroll … « Libodyssey

Drum roll for the blogroll … « Libodyssey — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 04:11:52 +0000

[...] As I already subscribe to more blogs than I can ever possibly read, I didn’t tempt fate by searching Technorati for any more reading material to stash away for retirement. However, I did run a quick search on ‘librarian’, and unexpectedly found this entry, where a blogger who completed an online political ideology quiz notes the similarity of the words ‘libertarian’ and ‘librarian’. I made a brief comment to the effect of their similarity not only being skin deep, however I wouldn’t want anyone to think we’re too libertarian (refer to my earlier post on censorship). [...]

By: tony

tony — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:53:33 +0000

Thanks Bec, excellent post and I agree completely! And Kim’s comment too!

And here’s an interesting example… if you check our library’s online journals page you’ll find we have “The Advocate” which is a serious gay and lesbian monthly featuring news and feature articles. It’s in several of our online databases such as EBSCO Academic Search Premier and Gale Academic Onefile . However, if you click the link in EBSCO to go to the publisher’s web site you’ll get an “access denied” message. It gets blocked by ITS.

By: kimtblogger

kimtblogger — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:19:00 +0000

Thanks Bec for this rationale response to what I believe is a draconian, paternalistic response by the Government. I was astounded that they would or could endorse/suggest censorship.

Who are the arbiters of what is appropriate and inappropriate? We all need to learn how to self-censor and decide for ourselves what we should look away from. Parents should be guiding children and taking some responsibility. I don’t want a paternalistic government to do this for me.

My daughters have had a permissive upbringing by many peoples standards but they are articulate, engaged, politically aware and astute young people. I trust them to know right from wrong and make should ethical decisions about what they see as appropriate. Prohibition and censorship just increases curiosity. I trust them to make their own decisions. I believe that the Government has it wrong.

Boo hiss!