The GOP’s Loss is the Public Library’s Gain
08 Nov
Last night’s election slaughter (and subsequent purge of Public Enemy #1 Donald Rumsfeld) is unquestionably a fantastically good thing for the United States of America, for any number of reasons. But while you joyfully look forward to the end of the Republican Party’s plundering of the national treasury and rape of the Constitution, and maybe even an end to the Iraq nightmare, don’t forget about another wonderful side effect of last night: the end of the GOP’s War On Libraries.
- Michael Fitzpatrick, the “lawmaker” who wrote and sponsored DOPA in the house has been dis-elected. DOPA stands for Deleting Online Predators Act and it was designed to restrict, in schools and libraries, any site that required the creation of a profile. In other words, roughly 50% of the entire Internet including MySpace, Amazon, EBay and a slew of educational and library sites.
- The man who had been chosen to shepherd DOPA through the Senate was none other than Rick “Man on Dog” Santorum. Rick will soon be an ex-Senator. Don’t be a stranger Rick—you’re so good at rallying our base that the DNC should offer you a job.
- Therefore, DOPA may die in committee and never be referred to the floor for an up or down vote. This is just a fervent wish on my part—there’s no evidence yet and if it gets to the floor Dems will have a really hard time voting against it. Only 10 (10!!!!) Dems voted against it in the House.
- Joe Barton of Texas, the foremost enemy of e-rate in Congress will no longer be Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. He’s been using this position to launch his attacks on the program as a whole. These attacks have led to much tighter enforcement of erate rules and much more frustration and paperwork for schools and libraries.
I’ve frothed at the mouth about the vile, despicable DOPA before, but thanks to last night’s events, DOPA may be DOA.
Ah yes, it’s a great, great day to be alive.
Very good summation…a lot of library folk tended to focus their glee over the election in terms of their personal views; this is indeed so much more important. Great post!
November 11th, 2006 at 6:02 pmOh grow up, punk. The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy has little time for your puny libraries.
November 14th, 2006 at 2:28 pmMy guess would be that the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy is probably spending most of their time these days filing for unemployment and polishing up their resumes.
November 14th, 2006 at 3:20 pm[...] When I heard about this incomprehensively idiotic bill back in August, I frothed at the mouth, as is my wont whenever news of greater than normal governmental stupidity reaches my ears. However, when friend and fellow librarian Chris pointed out that many of the bill’s sponsors were ejected from Congress in the Glorious Republican Rout of November 7th, I began to hope that the insanity would be averted. And yesterday, Chris sent me a link to an article noting that DOPA will indeed die on the vine, since the lack of Senate action this term means that it will have to be reintroduced next year, and several incoming Democratic committee heads are skeptical about its horribly overbroad nature. [...]
January 4th, 2007 at 10:01 am