Library Cuts are Not Healthy for Children & Other Living Things

Addendum:
The funding results are here

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Please consider these scenarios

1. It's 9:00pm and you're working on a paper. You need one more source and it has to be from a peer reviewed journal.
   
   What to do.
   
   Why not try the library's chat service AskAway? Within minutes a library staffer has show you a great database filled with peer reviewed articles on your topic. Not only that but they helped you find a source that demonstrates how to cite an electronic resources. You're good to go and you get your paper in on time.


2. When you were a kid you read this (you thought*) great science fiction book. Some 30 years later the book creeps into your head. You'd like to read it again, but your library doesn't own it.
   
   What to do.
   
   Turns out your local library has this great service called Interlibrary Loans. If your library doesn't own a book you want, they can find one that does and order it in for you. Usually within a couple of week.


3. You have a great idea for a business, but are not sure that it's a feasible idea. Times are tough and you want the best information possible to help you make your decision
   
   What to do.
   
   The librarian in the Science & Business division points you to many great sources, including some very helpful databases that supply company statistics, entrepreneurial information and articles about your field.

These are just a few of the services provided by BC libraries that are being threatened with massive grant cuts

If this pisses you off as much as it does me (and my colleagues), please visit Stop BC Library Cuts and:

• Learn how these cuts could diminish the fantastic library service we've all come to rely on here in BC.


• Read some of the media coverage.


• And most important: Sign the petition that could help prevent reductions in service.

If you're not in BC, please contact your local library and offer support. Many, many libraries are hurting right now, and it's not a resource that we can afford to lose.

Another thing to keep in mind. Although this post is Vancouver Public Library centric, (because that's where I work), other small BC libraries will be hit much, much harder. A much smaller percentage of VPL's budget comes from grant money than that of the smaller library systems.

Here's the (itsy bitsy) coverage from Global BC this morning:


* or "me thought" as the case may be. Exciting scenario # 2 is an amazing true story.

Pretty Great Day in the USA

Skill testing question: Who looks happier - Bush or Obama?



Now go turn on CNN.

That is all.

And Jack Black as Jesus Christ

Of course I'm probably the last to find this, but so glad I did.

Prop 8 sucks. And here to tell you why is writer Marc Shaiman and starring (in part): Margaret Cho, Andy Richter, Maya Rudolph, John C. Reilly, Allison Janney, Kathy Najimy, Sarah Chalke, Jack Black & Neil Patrick Harris.

The whole story here

For more on the shrimp thing, check out the Skeptic's Annotated Bible

The Senate Just Got Entertaining

So Hillary Rodham Clinton is leaving the senate to become Barack Obama's Secretary of State. That means there's a seat to fill. And guess who wants it?

Caroline Kennedy and Fran Drescher.

Yup, Fran Drescher. Best know as the uber annoying Nanny.

Details here

Best quote so far (and something I stated myself before I read this), from a People Magazine poll: "Here's one way to prevent any filibusters: Fran Drescher's screechy voice."

Almost guaranteed that any motion she brings forward will be passed as fast as possible, just to shut her up.

Of course there is some other competition, but they are all boring so who cares.

Civic Election Suckiness

All I can say is thank god we at least got a couple of council members to counter the asshole votes of our big business mayor.



What's really sad is slightly less than 10,000 people voted in New West. Population of the city is 58,549.

But at least Vancouver got good results. Thank you people of Vancouver!

Obama - Rama!

Thank you America. Let's hope it rubs off on Canada.

Too late for this year - but maybe, just maybe - next time.







"you'll still be my friend, right Stephen?"

Oy, A Bit More Sarah

Not that Sarah, the other Sarah

I don't always understand her humour, but at times I find her incredible funny. Like when she's F*%king Matt Damon.

Now she (and the Jewish Council for Education and Research) are campaigning for Obama. They want everyone to convice their Jewish grandparents to vote for Obama.

They produced this hilarious (and I might add humorously offensive) video to help all the young Jews get started.

Fun facts:
1. [his] foreign policy is much more stabilizing than John McCain's
2. He wants to protect social security
3. His brisket is beyond




Of course most of the points made in the video are for the sake of humour. But they do have some interesting info at the official Great Schlep site.

Even if you are not a young American Jew, please take a look.

Final note. Why do I write so much about American and not at all about Canadian politics. Because except for one singular example of puffin pooping, Canadian politics are not in-your-face funny.

I also haven't watched any Rick Mercer lately

With Apologies...

I'm sorry for the second dose of Palin. But I couldn't resist.

Have you seen this? No? Go ahead, I'll wait.



Well the folks @ College humor decided to run with the idea and created this video:

It's badly good (or goodly bad, can't quite decide), but I wish they could have gotten Tina Fey for the lead.

If anyone out there can find one video clip of Palin not sounding like a total and complete git, please let me know. Anything you dreamt up under the influence of drugs, booze, or hot fudge doesn't count.

I'll be watching the Vice-presidential debate Thursday night (6:00-8:00 on just about every damn channel out there). I think it's going to be a bit like the movie Scream - both funny and scary - but less self aware. I know nothing about Biden and I already like him better.

Oh Those Alaskan Neighbours

[ jeromekaplan's Photos]

This video is scary, scary shit.

How can anyone elect this woman? Here she is trying to prove what she knows about foreign relations. But only manages to prove the opposite.

All the while having great difficulty stringing together words into a comprehensive sentence.


(Sorry about the stupid 30 second CBS ad)

Of course I'm not qualified to vote in the American election. But if I was, I would vote Palin. The other Palin



Better choice isn't it?

T-shirts & other swag here

(Sarah Palin video found on Dooce)

Blog Action Day

Welcome. Today is Blog Action Day. A day for bloggers all over the world to post on a single subject - The environment.

Here is the YouTube video that clued me in.



First lets start with an important message from President Al Gore (Well he should have been president!)



Of course President Bush is also very concerned with global warming. Please take this video as proof that he has deep, deep concerns about the state of the earth.



"And what" - you may ask "is the Canadian government doing?"

Why everything in their power of course.



Of course the media can be counted on to cover global warming issues in a fair and unbiased manner. Neutrality is their middle name after all.

Rick Mercer - Canada's answer to Jon Stewart - Talks to Liberal Party leader Stéphane Dion about (among other things) the Kyoto Protocol.



How long have you been aware of global warming issues? Well it's not a new issue. Here is an excerpt from the 1958 Frank Capra film The Unchained Goddess explaining the dangers ahead.



If you still have any doubts about the long term effects of global warming. let this video be a warning:



Ok, ok. I know that this is a serious topic. But I can't write well enough to teach you anything without putting you to sleep. So I thought I'd post a bunch of (hopefully) humorous stuff and let the other bloggers out there show you the good stuff. What other bloggers? Here is a list of all the Blog Action Day participants and another list of some suggested resources

P.S. At press time there are 15,568 blogs signed up to participate with a combined rss reach of 12,507,731!

Not For The Sober

To start you off, have a Beer

You're gonna need a drink or six to stomach this GOP piece of shit:



The really sad thing is that I wasn't that shocked with the video. This type of "political" advertising seems pretty normal these days. I particularly liked the end bit with the Cleaver family smiling and driving away. Do you really think the Cleavers would have let Vernon Robinson live next door to them, never mind vote for him in an election?

How can you tell that Canadians are too broke to make their own ads?



Of course it's wishy washy as most Canadian political advertising and doesn't pack the punch of the original. (I don't like the original, but at least it's a bit different)

Also, I can't speak to Hamilton hotel rates as I've never stayed in one there. But pretty well anywhere else I have stayed $99.00 wouldn't be considered expensive for a room.

Did you enjoy that beer? How about some drugs? No, really have some drugs - after all they are endorsed by the BEST president American ever had!



(via MamaPop!)

So Who Reads This Anyway.....

I know, I know,,,, I never write.....

But come on, look at the sky! How can anyone find time or inspiration to write with weather like this? As it is I'm using hubby's wireless connection to jot this down on the front porch.

The new back deck is done (pictures later, I need the hardwired machine to upload those), but we're letting the stain set, so it's the front porch for now. But it's a nice new deck, well, because, it's Nice. and New. (and a deck). We've built the railings a dogs head width apart so that Brat can stick her head out, but can't get anything else out. Plus we put a spring loaded gate @ the top of the stairs so that she can't escape. And when I say "we" and "we've" I really mean anyone but me. Build stuff! I don't think so.

So what else is new? Well there was the election. Bah humbug! Yes I did vote. I believe that you can't bitch if you don't vote - not that it did any good. Well I guess it will basically be the same ol crappola for the next 4 years. Not that I expected anything different.

Went to see the newest Harry Potter movie a couple of days ago. Loved it. I am a big Potter fan, call me infantile, don’t care, nyya nyya poo poo. I have very few quibbles with the movie. I thought a bit more detail about the 4 friends (James Potter et al) would have been nice, but I do understand that it’s nigh near impossible to put all the book details into a movie without it turning into another Lord of the Rings. And yes I did enjoy the LotR trilogy, but that last movie did go on and on and on… If you are a Potter fan and you haven’t seen the revamped Rowling site, I’d advise you to pay it a visit.

That’s all for now. Have a wonderful summer Sunday :-)