And so it begins. The Chris Christie book-burnings, that is.
The city of Camden, New Jersey, is forced to close its entire public library system before the end of the year - because right-wing Gov. Chris Christie has reduced state aid to such a paltry sum that the library can't stay open.
Because of this, this working-class city is now one of few places in America where residents can't even borrow books for free.
It gets worse. Much worse.
Library officials wanted to keep the books in the shuttered buildings in case the libe someday reopened. But then the Christie regime told them they had to destroy the books because keeping books in a building is supposedly a fire hazard.
Then why wasn't it a fire hazard when the library was open? Wouldn't it be more of a danger when there's actually people around?
As a result of this, almost 200,000 books as well as countless irreplaceable historical documents and newspapers stored on microfilm must be destroyed.
This isn't just a case of zealous bureaucrats or the public losing an important service. This is an out-and-out case of censorship - and it's deliberate on Christie's part. He is a modern-day book-burner.
If America can afford to start an illegal war with Iraq, it can certainly afford to keep a library open. If it can afford new stadiums every 10 years to please greedy sports team owners, it can afford to keep a library open.
To dispose of the books, the library must rent 7 dumpsters, which will cost thousands. If the Christie budget has money for 7 dumpsters, it certainly has money to safely house the books.
If I was in charge of Camden's library system, I would defy Christie outright. And if he doesn't like it, he can go fuck himself.
(Source: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20100806_Camden_preparing_to_close_library_system.html)
Monday, August 9, 2010
Library ordered to destroy books
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"At an emotional but sparsely attended meeting of the library board Thursday, its president, Martin McKernan, said the city's three libraries cannot stay open past Dec. 31 because of severe budget cuts by Mayor Dana L. Redd."
ReplyDeleteThe article doesn't mention Christie at all. It atributes the "burnings" to Dana L. Redd, democrat.
But since you are incapable of admitting error, let's see what flimsy excuse you'll come up with.
Read the article again, Gufus. It said the library was cut because of cuts in "state aid" - which means the scumbag Chris Christie.
ReplyDeleteFurther, the books were ordered destroyed by Christie, not the mayor.
No one forced her to cut the library budget you imbecile. Nor does the article say that Christie ordered any book burnings.
ReplyDeleteThe People want a moratorium on the use of the word "Gufus" in the comments section of the Online Lunchpail.
ReplyDeleteWhere are the good folk who would offer to protect these books and documents by finding a safe storage place, the world will be saner as the tea baggers burn out....Who will help?
ReplyDelete