Hello Mr. Huttner,
As a former educator and now librarian, I am a huge advocate for First
Amendment rights. Far from advocating "censorship" in general, I do,
however, advocate disciplining individuals who violate established rules
of professionalism and civility within a specific discourse community.
Because I am new to this business, I mistakenly assumed that this online
community might already have an established policy against the kind of
post you made which contained so many irrelevant inflammatory remarks
over and above your basic inquiry. I stand before you humbly corrected
regarding this community's "accepted practice" of allowing potentially
offensive posts.
As a new member of this community, I greatly appreciated all those
colleagues who wrote messages welcoming me into this fascinating
profession. Regrettably, I really did not appreciate those individuals
who implied that I might want to consider a different career in some
other field or that somehow the political climate of the county where I
work has any relevance to my function as a law librarian. My personal
opinions and life have nothing to do with the interactions I have with
my patrons, and nothing to do with the help I respectfully request from
other professionals in this field.
Ten out of the seventeen respondents to my complaint against your post
(both on- and offlist) practice personal censorship by automatically
deleting any messages they see from you. However, six colleagues regard
your posting "style" favorably in that they describe you as
"insightful", "learned", "spicy", "well-enjoyed", and "having vast
knowledge". As a result of this testimony, I do indeed look forward to
getting to know you even better professionally--and, the next time I'm
in Australia, perhaps we can privately commiserate about American
politics over a pint or two, sing Bryan Carson's song, and check out the
"Law Librarian Hotties" at
http://www.abovethelaw.com/2007/02/law_librarian_hotties_your_fem.php.
Cheers, mate.
Randy
-------------------
W. Randolph Beckford, Library Information Assistant
Fairfax Public Law Library
703-246-2172
________________________________
From: owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu [mailto:owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu] On
Behalf Of Ronald Huttner
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 9:30 AM
To: law-lib List
Subject: Re: Alleged Breaches By Major Michael Mori Of The Military Code
- Reply
Randy,
You could have tried responding to the request for information contained
in my posting. Or did you fail to notice that I did actually request
information ? And God forbid that there should ever be a Law Librarian
anywhere on this planet who advocates censorship of any criticism of the
current disgraces that are (a) Guantanamo and (b) the current Military
Commissions.
The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.
Ron Huttner LL.B (Hons)
(Retired) Barrister, Solicitor, Law Lecturer and Legal Researcher
Melbourne
Victoria
Australia
On 06/03/2007, at 1:10 AM, Beckford, Randy wrote:
I am new to this business of law librarianship and am very
disappointed by this post. Extremely unprofessional. Seems to me that
we should keep personal opinions to ourselves and concentrate on the job
of helping our patrons find the information they need without bias. Is
this list moderated by anyone? Can users be censored for this kind of
abuse, if done repeatedly?
Randy
-------------------
W. Randolph Beckford, Library Information Assistant
Fairfax Public Law Library
4110 Chain Bridge Rd. Rm. 308
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-246-2172
________________________________
From: owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu
[mailto:owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu] On Behalf Of Ronald Huttner
Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2007 6:26 PM
To: law-Lib List; International Law Librarians List (Int-Law)
Subject: Alleged Breaches By Major Michael Mori Of The Military
Code
Please excuse cross-posting.
As if the shocking and disgraceful circus that currently
constitutes the pending "trial" of Guantanamo detainee David Hicks by a
kangaroo court disguised as a Military Commission is not disgusting
enough already, we now learn in our Australian newspapers today that the
USA "prosecutors" are proposing to bring some absurd charges against
Major Michael Mori for some alleged breach of some Military Code in his
vigorous defence of David Hicks to date. Could some informed Law-Libber
please refer me to the actual text of the relevant provision that Major
Mori is supposed to have breached ? I went to hear Major Mori speak on
the David Hicks case in Melbourne last Thursday night, and must say
that, if his moderate and convincing "speaking out" on the injustices in
this case does, indeed, constitute an offence under current USA law,
then there is something HORRIBLY wrong with the rule of law in the USA
these days. But I guess we knew that already.
P.S. I f you feel minded to "flame" me for this posting, save
your electrons and don't bother. All flames will be trashed.
Ron Huttner LL.B (Hons)
(Retired) Barrister, Solicitor, Law Lecturer and Legal
Researcher
Melbourne
Victoria
Australia
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