The usual criteria for blocking websites via public library "public protection" software, is that a site is "obscene" or something like that.

But seasoned critical thinkers know that such software often "likes" to include sites that promote systematic critical thinking.

So it was not a surprise, that, while I could access this Indy site, I *could not* access the local Indy site here in San Diego.

As well, when I tried perusing www.zmag.org, specifically: http://www.zmag.org/chomskydebates.htm I found that the page loaded, and then abruptly changed to a page that says the site is "not available".

Perhaps someone with know-how could bring up this state of affairs to thoughtful library personnel?

Of course, every user has the "option" to have a reference librarian here at this branch (in Pacific Beach) *turn off* the software, but who would NORMALLY go out of their way to do that (or even know that) when their time is so limited already!!!

the message that comes up:

The page cannot be displayed
The page you are looking for is currently unavailable. The Web site might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your browser settings.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please try the following:

Click the Refresh button, or try again later.

If you typed the page address in the Address bar, make sure that it is spelled correctly.

To check your connection settings, click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options. On the Connections tab, click Settings. The settings should match those provided by your local area network (LAN) administrator or Internet service provider (ISP).
If your Network Administrator has enabled it, Microsoft Windows can examine your network and automatically discover network connection settings.
If you would like Windows to try and discover them,
click Detect Network Settings
Some sites require 128-bit connection security. Click the Help menu and then click About Internet Explorer to determine what strength security you have installed.
If you are trying to reach a secure site, make sure your Security settings can support it. Click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options. On the Advanced tab, scroll to the Security section and check settings for SSL 2.0, SSL 3.0, TLS 1.0, PCT 1.0.
Click the Back button to try another link.



Cannot find server or DNS Error
Internet Explorer

We should be writing emails to the library system.

What's their address?

the librarians in downtown s.d. practice persecutorial agenda towards poor people on a daily basis.some of the women get off on telling security to kick people out becuz they dont like the look of a back pack.literally profiling poor people with poor looking bags and a sag in the face. why maybe becuz of there own lonely introverted frustrations and unfortunately a few degenerates who carry two and thre trash bags full of disgusting stench only to spread out on other chairs sometimes tables andon floor and to the societal truth of degradation when you cant even get a shower in s.d. without going through verbal abuse at shelter usually a closed shower until after twelve noon and sometimes sadistic predator who lurk in shadows waiting to check out anothers privates upon entering showers.

my understanding is that the majority of librarians in this country are actually pretty radical and kick ass when it comes to stuff like civil rights, privacy, etc.

maybe we should also be contacting librarians in our local communities and informing them of fascist librarians in other areas and ask what we/they can do about it. they must have some kind of collective power to deal with other librarians???

librarians, you out there??

Quite a few censorware packages include a blocking category called "message boards" or something like it.

The reasoning behind this seems to be that on sites like Indymedia (and even on registration discussion boards), whatever moderation is applied has to be applied retroactively, thus there is no way to predict what the content of the site will be at any given time.

The instinctive response of the people who write the censorware is to block these sites, not because they know that the content is something that they object to, but because they cannot predict or control it.

It's all about control. Any site (and this includes sites for language translation, like Babelfish), which might make it possible for the user to escape being controlled is a threat to the censor.

Add in the political agendas which many if not most censorware makers have, and there ya go.

"librarians, you out there"?

Yes. A first step to have your point of view heard is to not refer to those with different political opinions as "fascists." It cheapens discourse and, more importantly, turns people off to your primary point which is library censorship. I think most librarians--whatever they think about IMCs--will support you. For instance, I think much of the material posted to the IMCs is inflammatory and just plain not accurate. However, I am against censoring people from viewing the IMC sites just as a I am against people being censored from extreme right wing sites. I know people on the far left hate being lumped in with the extreme right but you share many similarities.

librarians who voted for Bush are not necessarily fascist (many on the left would no doubt disagree).

librarians who register with the Republic party are not necessarily fascists.

librarians who voted for Kerry might very well be fascists.

librarians who censor information and deny access to certain political viewpoints, as well as target the homeless and poor as undesirables and deny and limit their access to what should be a public service for all, are contributing, in my view, to an atmosphere of fascism, and are helping support an ideological power structure built on fascist ideas. does this make them fascist? I would contend that yes, their actions define them.

librarians who by the way censor access to allow for only, say, information on Stalin, or Mao, and do not allow any other political perspectives are also, in my view, supporting the key element of totalitarian perspective vital to fascism.

the reluctance of people to see the fascism around us for what it is and call it what it is, is akin to the knee-jerk cry of "anti-Semitism" anytime someone dares to criticize anything the Isreali government does to the Palestinians.

We are not cheapening the discussion, we are identifying it for what it is. It needs to be done. This is not simply a matter of being on opposite sides of the political spectrum and "disagreeing"--you are right that there are many people who engage in fascist ideology on both the left and the right. This is instead a matter of watching a new form of fascism take over our political process, our public life and space, and whatever shot at "democracy" we might once have had.