Heck of a way to remember Katrina, no?

August 27, 2006 7:02 AM

EPA BEGINS CLOSING LIBRARIES BEFORE CONGRESS ACTS ON PLAN The Environmental Protection Agency has been ordered by the White House to "shut down [its] libraries, end public access to research materials and box up unique collections on the assumption that Congress will not reverse President Bush’s proposed budget reductions." Fifteen states will lose library service immediately, the rest will follow, and the public is to be turned away as soon as possible.
posted by Unregistered User (21 comments total)

via
posted by Unregistered User at 7:03 AM on August 27, 2006

Is this as credible as your last front page post?
posted by Mayor Curley at 7:06 AM on August 27, 2006

Probably...
posted by Fidel Cashflow at 7:08 AM on August 27, 2006

Well, MC, is that a question you should ask after you yourself disregard the guidelines?...

Hypocrisy much?

note: Help maintain a healthy, respectful discussion by focusing comments on the issues, topics, and facts at hand -- not at other members of the site.
posted by Unregistered User at 7:11 AM on August 27, 2006

Hypocrisy much?

How exactly is that hypocritical? Did the definition change while I was sleeping?

I think most people here are skeptical about the things you post, specifically because most of the things you've posted here have been pedantic, sophomoric rants...
posted by Fidel Cashflow at 7:15 AM on August 27, 2006

reading hurts your eyes, they're protecting the public's health
posted by matteo at 7:16 AM on August 27, 2006

It's not news, it's Axegrindfilter.com!
posted by reklaw at 7:18 AM on August 27, 2006

Is this as credible as your last front page post?
posted by Mayor Curley
Probably...
posted by Fidel Cashflow at 7:08 AM PST

Right. Because governments throughout history have always been open and forthright with their citizens.

And the US of A leads the world in this openness.

Good job you two on catching such an obvious bit of propaganda!!!
posted by rough ashlar at 7:19 AM on August 27, 2006

What the heck does Katrina have to do with this? Also, if you're going to cut and paste headline text, at least take the time to change from all caps to normal capitalization.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 7:23 AM on August 27, 2006

Good job you two on catching such an obvious bit of propaganda!!!

I didn't suggest that the story was wrong. I don't have any evidence of it. But I'm also not going to accept it at face value because it was presented by a paranoid idiot who makes the entire left look bad by association.

Unregistered User, you think that you're like that underground reporter from Bob Roberts, but really you're more like one of the Sizzler Sisters from Kids in the Hall.
posted by Mayor Curley at 7:29 AM on August 27, 2006

Isn't there a neurosis label for those who enjoy discourteousness and discordance, I.e. mean spiritness?
posted by Unregistered User at 7:31 AM on August 27, 2006

The Library Journal has a short article that's a little more balanced. In particular, an EPA spokeswoman notes that PEER's assertions regarding the budget for library services are inaccurate, that the documents are in the process of being digitized, and that all documents continue to be available through interlibrary loan:

Jessica Emond, EPA deputy press secretary, countered that the agency "is providing comprehensive access to agency documents and materials through EPA's public web site." The primary headquarters library and ten regional libraries are moving more documents online—currently 15,000-plus are available—and all EPA-generated materials will continue to be available through inter-library loans. EPA has 26 libraries, including those noted above, and 15 research-oriented libraries. Emond said that the stated 80 percent reduction in EPA's library budget, reported in numerous media outlets, is inaccurate: "The FY2007 budget request is $4.5 million, which is significantly larger than the $500,000 previously implied in various articles." Another EPA spokesperson said that the $2 million cut referred to only the ten regional libraries and the headquarters.

So, the hysteria seems a little unwarranted. It looks like the EPA is phasing out the regional libraries in favor of online access, and the full EPA report on the library plan is available here [pdf].
posted by monju_bosatsu at 7:38 AM on August 27, 2006

Of course, continue to argue about semantics, protocols and other obfuscating issues to deflect attention from the original idea of the post. Good job. You're learning the tactics of the current administration and most of the mass media, very well.
One thing that truly scares the *&^% out of the current administration is and informed and educated electorate. The one most effective thing that can be done to reverse this madness is to EDUCATE the people of this country!
posted by GreyFoxVT at 7:39 AM on August 27, 2006

What were thse guidelines again?
posted by Kirth Gerson at 7:39 AM on August 27, 2006

That was a response to UR's comment here.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 7:40 AM on August 27, 2006

Ahhh, busted by the mifi police...

I try to learn from my mistakes, however, having a MBI, (mild head injury) it is sometimes hard, however, If you guys think you can run me off forget it.

Flag away, if in fact you think it should be, though, all I have seen so far are ego boner comments, without nary a comment on the topic.
posted by Unregistered User at 7:42 AM on August 27, 2006

Seems Americans not enough stupid for the big heads there lol
posted by zouhair at 7:44 AM on August 27, 2006

Dude the all caps are really, really obnoxious.
posted by The Jesse Helms at 7:56 AM on August 27, 2006

One thing that truly scares the *&^% out of the current administration is and informed and educated electorate.

Do you seriously believe the people in the Bush Administration are "scared" by anything the public can do?
posted by Kirth Gerson at 8:01 AM on August 27, 2006

UR

Once again, UU is abbreviated as UR. I wonder why.
posted by sonofsamiam at 8:05 AM on August 27, 2006

GreyFoxVT : "Of course, continue to argue about semantics, protocols and other obfuscating issues to deflect attention from the original idea of the post. Good job. You're learning the tactics of the current administration and most of the mass media, very well.
One thing that truly scares the *&^% out of the current administration is and informed and educated electorate. The one most effective thing that can be done to reverse this madness is to EDUCATE the people of this country!"

Yes, well, discussing terminology, protocols, and other pertinent issues is part of being informed and educated. You're arguing that we should avoid informing and educating ourselves so that we can discuss the original idea of the post, which is that the government is trying to keep us from informing or educating ourselves.

Or, rephrased, you're saying "If you try to cut through bias in an issue to get at the reality of it, you're playing right into the hands of the administration, which wants people to be biased instead of focusing on reality."
posted by Bugbread at 8:11 AM on August 27, 2006