Tuesday, August 12, 2008

decisions, decisons...

My manager at the library is a liberal and knows that I am not. A few years ago, we had a somewhat heated discussion - she was worried because she heard congress was trying to reinstate the draft. She was going on and on about "the republicans" and "their war" until I told her that it was one of her guys who had introduced the bill. We amicably agreed to never speak about politics shortly after that.

It didn't come as much of a surprise when I was given a stern lecture about how I was expected to equally order from both sides of the political spectrum when I first started choosing new audiobooks for the library (a task referred to as "collection development" by those of us in the biz). I do what they pay me to do and order the newest titles with complete impartiality. (But not too long ago, prior to the yearly Big Weed, I could have taken comparative photos of the multiple copies of Dude, Where's My Country and of the solitary copy of Slander. A case of "partisanship for me, but not for thee"?)

So, this morning as I sat staring at the computer screen debating on the newest offering from Michael Moore, I was slightly comforted by the fact that it costs $17 and the new one from Bill O'Reilly costs $32.

And, yes. I ordered them both.

(oh, and by the way? Barack Hussein Obama's "plan to renew America's promise" is due out in September. I totally called that one, didn't I?)

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I find it kind of annoying that she felt the need to point this out to you. Perhaps it was her way of reminding -herself- that it needed to be impartial?

Anonymous said...

Well, that's because "Slander" is just a hateful propaganda piece by a hateful neocon rightwing neo-nazi and anything by Michael Moore (gag) is a thought-provoking commentary on our times and the decline of American society into a theocracy, which of course ALL library patrons want to read and so you've got to have multiple copies to keep up with demand.

/ sarc

Does anybody know the Latin translation of "For me, but not for thee", 'cuz I'm thinking it will replace E Pluribus Unum on the national seal if The Annointed One is elected.

Bob said...

It could be worse, Breda. You could be an atheist/agnostic employee working for a born-again Christian supervisor. On the two occasions that I was in that unfortunate situation, once I was fired and the second time barely avoided it.

Anonymous said...

You have some principles there, lady. We need a lot more like you, or things won't change.

I wonder if you could order a copy of W.N. Grigg's 'Liberty in Eclipse', or Cooper's 'The Art of the Rifle' from Baker and Taylor?

I'd be surprised if that was possible.

New Jovian Thunderbolt said...

I, for one, welcome our Obamanian Overlords

Lydia said...

While I have no love for your boss, I do find it disheartening that in the past several weeks everything involving Obama or the democratic party is seen as foolish.

It worries me that when I read this blog that I get the feeling that if I don't agree with you I am an uneducated moron. Perhaps I'm over reacting.

Anonymous said...

Circ stats, girl! What was the combined circ number for all copies of "Dude" vs. the one of "slander"? Anyway, it might not really have been partisanship; if liberals can't read, there's a case to be made for buying more audiobooks for them.

Collection development is more fun in music. I can't justify buying the opera omnia of the obscure composers I like, but I'm damn well going to make sure they're represented in the collection.

Anonymous said...

docjim505- Here is your translation. I found it using InterTran.

"Mihi , tamen non pro thee"

Mike W. said...

"It worries me that when I read this blog that I get the feeling that if I don't agree with you I am an uneducated moron. Perhaps I'm over reacting."

No. I think people can fundamentally disagree on things as divisive as the very nature of government and still have respect for one another, especially if both parties are mutually respectful in their disagreement.

Robert Langham said...

Just remember that in the heart of every Liberal lurks a totalitarian.

Earl said...

At the heart of anyone is someone different than I. I did find Art of the Rifle by Cooper at Baker and Taylor, but didn't find Liberty in Eclipse.

I find other ways of thinking stirring my own, and I am so set in my ways I often need stirred. I do try to buy balanced books, choices are always better than the blind following the one-eyed King.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for checking on that, Earl. And I am surprised.