tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51148305258846009372024-03-12T19:48:46.183-07:00Sleepless in West BendAre you losing sleep over intolerance, ignorance, and extremism in West Bend? Me too...Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-87191852606580276682009-09-17T06:51:00.000-07:002009-09-17T07:02:15.960-07:00RetirementDear readers:<br /><br />I'm glad this blog has been a useful space to help spread truths, debunk lies, and express frustrations over the West Bend library controversy and related nonsense.<br /><br />Unfortunately, real life has reared its sometimes ugly head, and I feel it necessary to close this blog down. Thankfully, I'm confident many of you will continue "wielding the sword of truth", as it were, even in this blog's absence.<br /><br />I have <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/09/introducing-wissup-uncensored.html">created</a> <a href="http://wissup-uncensored.blogspot.com/">WISSUP-Uncensored</a>, which I will continue to update with the latest posts from Ginny Maziarka, providing and open comment policy for you to discuss her rhetoric free from moderation.<br /><br />And one never knows, I might pop up again...<br /><br />Cheers!<br />Concerned West Bend CitizenConcerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-22054710635052264012009-09-15T22:45:00.000-07:002009-09-15T22:58:03.357-07:00Ginny Maziarka Verbally Rapes Us All<a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/09/is-wbcfsl-fading-away.html">Like I said</a>, it wouldn't take Ginny long to climb back up onto that "the library is run by porn-peddlers and the pinko-ALA" high-horse, attacking anyone with anything she can.<br /><br />Continuing her <a href="http://wissup-uncensored.blogspot.com/2009/09/library-director-special-guest-of-aclu.html">idiotic</a> <a href="http://wissup-uncensored.blogspot.com/2009/09/west-bend-library-director-tyree-guest.html">criticism</a> of Director Tyree's presence at an ACLU of Wisconsin event celebrating Banned Books Week, <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/09/west-bend-library-director-tyree.html">Ginny has posted</a> a secondhand account of, and reaction to, one of Tyree's remarks.<br /><br /><a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/09/west-bend-library-director-tyree.html?showComment=1253078009497#c5389069782024857153">According to Maria Hanrahan</a>, Tyree noted how Terry Vrana made an idiot statement after one of the city council meetings, <a href="http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=V0JETi8yMDA5LzA0LzIyI0FyMDAxMDI=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom">comparing the library to a porn shop</a>. Apparently, Tyree quipped at tonight's event, referring to the fact that Vrana doesn't have a library card, that "he may be familiar with porn shops, but he's not familiar with the library."<br /><br />An attempt at humor; perhaps it worked, perhaps it didn't. I wasn't in the room.<br /><br />And neither was Ginny. Yet, that didn't keep her from asserting that such a statement not only slanders Vrana (which it doesn't), but that by saying such a thing, Tyree has "<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">verbally rape[d]</span>" the citizens of West Bend.<br /><br />WTF?Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-51089413865736961742009-09-15T08:56:00.000-07:002009-09-15T09:11:07.356-07:00Is WBCFSL Fading Away?As Ginny Maziarka's <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/08/wissup-fail.html">WISSUP blog continues to shift its focus</a> to the daily FoxNews bullet points, and it's become clear that <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/09/ginny-maziarka-rarely-finishes-what-she.html">Ginny rarely follows up</a> with what she's started, I've been wondering about how much further she can go with <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/09/open-records-request-for-ginny-maziarka.html">her open record requests</a> and desire to rid the library of gay-affirming texts and anything that has a drawing of a penis in it.<br /><br />Well, it seems that her "West Bend Citizens for Safe Libraries" (sic) organization might finally be fading into the distance. She hasn't <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/wbcitizens4safelibraries/">updated the WBCFSL website</a> in ages, hasn't released the <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/wbcitizens4safelibraries/timeline-of-events">promised timeline</a>, and now the mentions of WBCFSL (and its email address) have been removed from the prominent positioning on her flagship WISSUP blog (replaced by links to <a href="http://parentalrights.org/">ParentalRights.org</a> and the <a href="http://www.eagleforumofwisconsin.org/">Eagle Forum of Wisconsin</a>).<br /><br />Perhaps Ginny <a href="http://censorfreelib.blogspot.com/2009/09/on-front-page.html">read today's paper</a> and finally realized that she's lost the library battle. But, when we're dealing with Ginny, there's one thing for certain: <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">she won't let us down!</span>Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-2696518995936680332009-09-14T19:33:00.000-07:002009-09-14T20:08:35.238-07:00An Open Records Request for Ginny MaziarkaIt <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2008/09/west-bend-school-district-denies-open.html">is no secret</a> that Ginny Maziarka is a big fan of open records requests (ORR). She engages in broad fishing expeditions related to whatever her vendetta of the moment might be.<br /><br />Recently, she's famously filed an ORR for all the <a href="http://www.bootsandsabers.com/index.php/weblog/permalink/west_bend_library_board/">email communications of the library board</a>, all the <a href="http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20090825/FON0101/90824178/1289/FON01/Local-librarians-watching-West-Bend-book-controversy-">financial reimbursements</a> processed by the library, and who knows what else. Today, <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/09/city-of-west-bend-librarian-salaries.html">she posted the salaries</a> of library employees, <a href="http://wissup-uncensored.blogspot.com/2009/09/city-of-west-bend-librarian-salaries.html">for no other apparent reason</a> than because she can.<br /><br />Ginny, apparently, is a firm believer in the power of open records requests to uncover truths, ensure transparency, and make certain that those who represent citizens are held to the utmost scrutiny.<br /><br />I'd like to hold Ginny to the same standard. She claims to <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/07/fireside-books-holds-book-signing-aug-1.html?showComment=1249078460753#c3467121673528351809">represent the majority of West Bend citizens</a>. Her organization supposedly works on behalf of us all. So, she should make her self just as open to scrutiny as she holds other representatives of the people. While no law requires her to be open, fairness and justice should compel her to do so.<br /><br />So, I hereby file the following open records request to Ginny Maziarka and the West Bend Citizens for Safe Libraries organization:<br /><br /><blockquote>Please submit electronic copies of the following documents and communications, as related to the West Bend library controversy:<br /><ol><li>All emails/written communication between Ginny Maziarka and Dan Kleinman (SafeLibraries.org), PFOX, Mark Belling, Owen Robinson, and the Wisconsin Family Council.</li><li>All other emails / written communication sent/received related to the library controversy<br /></li><li>Financial statements of all related income, donations, and expenditures.</li></ol></blockquote>Ginny, please feel free to explain why you shouldn't be held to a similar standard that you are holding others. You claim to represent the majority of the community. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Start acting like it.</span>Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-44251461464669739572009-09-13T14:28:00.000-07:002009-09-14T06:34:43.140-07:00Why [Ginny Maziarka] is StupidToday, <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/09/why-philosophy-is-stupid.html">Ginna Maziarka re-posts</a> some college <a href="http://thecorrectness.blogspot.com/2004/10/philosophy-is-stupid.html">kid's rant</a> against his/her philosophy class. <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/05/ginny-maziarka-tag-spammer.html">Of course</a>, she tags it with references to <a href="http://the-motley-cow.blogspot.com/">Mark Peterson</a>, an apparent criticism of the local philosophy prof.<br /><br />My question is: why did Ginny suddenly decide to re-post something <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/08/wissup-fail.html">completely off topic</a> and originally published on a random (and <a href="http://thecorrectness.blogspot.com/">abandoned</a>) blog in 2004?<br /><br />Here's my guess:<br /><br />Perhaps Ginny saw <a href="http://the-motley-cow.blogspot.com/2009/09/library-censor-ginny-maziarka-back-in.html">Mark's recent post about her</a> (which also mentioned this <a href="http://cafepress.com/pray4ginny">lovely merchandise for sale</a>). The post isn't hateful or defamatory. Still, Ginny got pissed, and decided to strike back against our local philosopher, thinking to herself, "philosophy is stupid!"<br /><br />But, of course, Ginny isn't really capable of writing her own blog post explaining why philosophy is stupid, so, <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=philosophy+is+stupid">she Googled it</a>.<br /><br />The first result is from <a href="http://jakobknits.blogspot.com/2007/11/philosophy-is-stupid.html">Jaköbishe Rants</a>. But with its Euro-sounding name and mentions of feminism and "queerth" in the description, I'm sure she quickly clicked the left arrow on her browser to return to the search results.<br /><br />The second result? Yep, our 2004 post from <a href="http://thecorrectness.blogspot.com/2004/10/philosophy-is-stupid.html">The Vented Truth</a>.<br /><br />I just wonder if Ginny read the comments; such foul language! Cuz, <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/07/bookslut-recommended-reading-for-adults.html">you know</a>, if you link to something, then you're <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/08/american-family-news-covers-west-bend.html?showComment=1250126179726#c3595536834657748832">endorsing/sponsoring/responsible for its content</a>.<br /><br />Ginny, please correct me if I'm wrong. Otherwise, you're just being stupid.Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-89976970703956487782009-09-12T13:17:00.000-07:002009-09-12T13:26:13.642-07:00Ginny Maziarka's Newest Profession: Forensic Accountant!Ginny Maziarka wears many hats:<br /><br /><ul><li>Officially, she's a medical transcriptionist for St. Joseph's Hospital in West Bend, WI.</li><li>Her <a href="http://www.bootsandsabers.com/index.php/member/641/">Boots & Sabers profile</a> indicates she has an interest in "Thumping liberal thugs"</li><li><a href="http://twitter.com/ginnyWB">On Twitter</a>, she's a "<span class="bio">Conservative Christian Activist - Wielding the sword of Truth"</span></li></ul>But her <a href="http://twitter.com/ginnyWB/status/3937040894">latest tweet</a> reveals she is reviewing (presumably) the library's budget documents. Apparently Ginny has a new feather in her hat: forensic accountant!<br /><br />I wonder if her ability to analyze financial statements will be any better than her <a href="http://censorfreelib.blogspot.com/2009/09/ethics-code.html">(in)ability to understand a code of ethics</a>....Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-25904049181001727852009-09-12T11:12:00.000-07:002009-09-12T13:07:56.835-07:00Ginny Maziarka Rarely Finishes What She StartsGinny Maziarka has this habit of failing to follow through on what she starts, preferring, it seems, to just keep the noise level up, but accomplishing little.<br /><br />For example:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=V0JETi8yMDA5LzA0LzIxI0FyMDAxMDI=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom">Ginny Maziarka files a complaint with the city attorney</a>, asking for an ethics investigation into the mayor’s and an alderman’s handling of their book challenges. The request isn't properly notarized, and the city attorney tells her to re-submit properly for consideration. <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/04/city-attorney-rejects-request-for.html">Ginny complains loudly</a>, but doesn't take the <span style="font-style: italic;">extra 5 minutes</span> to get her complaint notarized. Nothing ever happens.</li><li><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">Ever since she lost the Library Board battle, Ginny has been busy with burdening the taxpayers with multiple ORRs, and claimed in July to be amassing a <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/07/ginnys-timeline-of-opression-and-covert.html">timeline of "oppression" and "covert involvement" of outsiders</a> related to the book challenges, and <a href="http://twitter.com/ginnyWB/status/2637436440">tweeted</a> that it was "nearing completion". At least <span style="font-style: italic;">two months</span> have passed since this was "nearing completion", and <a href="https://westbend.pbworks.com/">no timeline has been released</a>.</span></span></li><li><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">Ginny's "<a href="http://sites.google.com/site/wbcitizens4safelibraries/future-plans">future plans</a>" state that "</span></span>With the appointment of a new library board, WBCFSL will be presenting a revised letter of requests for policies, insisting that the citizens of the community be heard on this matter." <span style="font-style: italic;">Three months</span> have passed since the new board's appointment, and no "revised letter" has been submitted. </li><li><a href="http://twitter.com/ginnyWB/status/3692431027">Ginny tweets</a> that "<span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">West Bend Citizens for Safe Libraries getting a NEW NAME". Nearly <span style="font-style: italic;">two weeks</span> have passed, and no new name has materialized (although <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/09/pick-new-name-for-west-bend-citizens.html">I have some suggestions</a>).</span></span></li><li><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">And the granddaddy of them all: <a href="http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/alahandout.pdf">Ginny's original complaint</a> centered on the lack of "balance" in the library's "Out of the Closet" reading guide. As the issue morphed to include more and more books, as well as supposed obscenities in books, the library sent Ginny notice that, after review with the city attorney, it was determined the nature of her original complaint has changed, and she should submit new reconsideration forms to start the process over again. At her "town meeting", Ginny states: "<span style="font-style: italic;">Since the library has asked us to begin again, we are going to begin again</span>" </span></span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">(at <a href="http://www.vimeo.com/3977863">timestamp 21:32 in this video</a>). Later (</span></span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content"><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/3977863">timestamp 28:05</a>), she tells attendees to "<span style="font-style: italic;">go the extra mile" and to "go to the library, pick up a form, fill it out</span>." Then </span></span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">(</span></span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content"><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/3977863">timestamp 28:15</a>)</span></span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">, she admits that her petition won't be sufficient, and that "<span style="font-style: italic;">I can guarantee you you'll need a formal complaint form</span>." </span></span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">Yet there was no new submissions of reconsideration forms were ever submitted to re-start the process. Instead there were petitions, parades, and countless shouting on her blog. </span></span><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content"> </span></span></li></ul><span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">One wonders if Ginny will be able to follow up with her <a href="http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=622284">threat of having a referendum</a> regarding her desire to block access to information.<br /></span></span>Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-38869652955389039652009-09-11T20:53:00.000-07:002009-09-12T06:37:11.541-07:00Ginny Maziarka's Statements on HomosexualityGinny Maziarka has make some startling statements about homosexuality, reeking of ignorance and intolerance. This list is a work in progress - please send me links to other comments.<br /><span class="comment-timestamp"></span><ul><li><a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2008/06/can-you-break-code.html">June 21, 2008 blog post</a>: Infers homosexuality is comparable to bestiality, pedophilia.<br /></li><li><a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2008/06/adl-reaping-liberal-benefits.html?showComment=1214623260000#c4341552059483356111" title="comment permalink">June 27, 2008 8:21 PM blog comment</a>: Infers homosexuality is comparable to bestiality, pedophilia.</li><li><a href="http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/alahandout.pdf">February 12, 2009 Reconsideration form, item #4</a>: Describes purposes of books on the library's "Out of the Closet" list as encouraging and normalizing "illegal behaviors".</li><li><a href="http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/alahandout.pdf">February 12, 2009 Letter Accompanying Reconsideration form</a>: Believes presence of books that depict homosexuality in a positive light endangers the "health, safety, and well being of many people"</li><li><a href="http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/alahandout.pdf">February 12, 2009 Letter Accompanying Reconsideration form</a>: Refers to homosexuality as a "condition"</li><li><br /></li></ul>Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-24783965559044990862009-09-11T13:49:00.000-07:002009-09-11T13:51:46.854-07:00Ginny Maziarka doesn't speak for me!If you agree with this statement, get your gear here<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/pray4ginny">: http://www.cafepress.com/pray4ginny</a><br /><br />Brilliant work (especially the brown headline with red font), and all proceeds will be donated to the <a href="http://www.iglhrc.org/cgi-bin/iowa/home/index.html">International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission</a>.Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-90824086056095955242009-09-08T19:02:00.000-07:002009-09-08T19:04:50.652-07:00Introducing WISSUP-UncensoredAre you tired of <a href="http://anonymouse.org/cgi-bin/anon-www.cgi/http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/08/now-noweverybody-breatheand-read.html">Ginny Maziarka's censorship</a> of your comments at <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/">WISSUP</a>?<br /><br />Me too.<br /><br />That's why I created a new blog, <a href="http://wissup-uncensored.blogspot.com/">WISSUP-Uncensored</a>, where each of Ginny's posts will be linked to, with a brief introduction, providing and open comment policy for you to discuss her rhetoric free from moderation.<br /><br />(I originally was going to republish each of her posts verbatim, but I -- reluctantly -- decided to <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/06/ginny-maziarka-all-rights-reserved.html">honor her intellectual property rights</a> to her tired, worn out, ignorant rants. So, all you have is the title and a link to the original)<br /><br />Check it out! <a href="http://wissup-uncensored.blogspot.com/">WISSUP-Uncensored</a>Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-70506342177862501792009-09-08T12:14:00.000-07:002009-09-08T12:26:37.915-07:00Ginny Maziarka Continues her Obama=Hitler RantThis is really getting ridiculous.<br /><br />Ginny Maziarka <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/09/kudo-to-wb-school-district-nobama-movie.html">continues</a> to <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/09/part-2-propaganda-video-courtesy-of.html">insist</a> that Obama=Hitler, despite any <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/09/who-is-more-like-hitler-obama-or-ginny.html">rational attempt</a> to persuade her otherwise.<br /><br />In <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/09/robinson-lends-answers-to-obama-speech.html">today's post</a>, a continuation of her diatribe against the President speaking to school children about -- GASP -- <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-in-a-National-Address-to-Americas-Schoolchildren/">staying in school</a>, each time the name "Obama" appears in her tired rant, she links to various Hitler Youth websites: the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitler_Youth">Wikipedia article</a>, a random <a href="http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/hitler_youth.htm">amateur history site</a>, and <a href="http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/hitleryouth/index.html">HistoryPlace.com</a>.<br /><br />She tops it off with her oh-so-clever phrasing "<strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Hitl...er, Obama's part</span></strong>", <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/07/speaking-of-talking-trash.html">reminiscent of her childish</a> re-naming of Maria Hanrahan's organization, the <a href="http://westbendparentsforfreespeech.webs.com/apps/blog/" target="_blank">West Bend Parents For Free Speech</a>, as <strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">West Bend Parents for Free Sex, um, I mean Free Speech (ooops, sorry 'bout that)</span></strong>.<br /><br />The ignorance of her rhetoric -- and her utter lack of understanding of history -- is astounding.<br /><br />Citizens of West Bend: please think long and hard about whether you want such an individual to lead any movement meant to "protect" children or otherwise guide your child's education.Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-11180880410062391192009-09-06T13:08:00.000-07:002009-09-06T13:11:05.126-07:00www.ginnymaziarka.comSomeone has created <a href="http://www.ginnymaziarka.com/">www.ginnymaziarka.com</a>, which links to <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98782569">this NPR article</a>, which states:<div><blockquote>Gay, lesbian and bisexual teens and young adults have one of the highest rates of suicide attempts — and some other health and mental health problems, including substance abuse. A new study suggests that parental acceptance, and even neutrality, with regard to a child's sexual orientation could have a big impact in reducing this rate.</blockquote>Well done, whoever you are.</div>Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-51647569379490029242009-09-04T08:46:00.001-07:002009-09-04T09:18:57.629-07:00Who is More Like Hitler: Obama or Ginny Maziarka?Sorry for again violating <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law">Godwin's Law</a>, but Ginny Maziarka's <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/09/kudo-to-wb-school-district-nobama-movie.html">continued</a> <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/09/part-2-propaganda-video-courtesy-of.html">insistence</a> that Obama=Hitler is so amusing, I just can't help myself.<br /><br />I think we need to take a hard look at this question: <span style="font-style: italic;">Who is more like Hitler: President Obama or Ginny Maziarka?</span><br /><br />The evidence that Obama = Hitler is pretty convincing. <a href="http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/08/28/comparing_obama_to_hitler/">Consider</a>: they both have brown hair, two syllables in their first name, and are taller than 5'5" yet shorter than 6'5". If that isn't evidence enough, consider that both men <a href="http://obamaisliterallyhitler.tumblr.com/post/162990020/xmasspirit">celebrated Christmas</a>, <a href="http://obamaisliterallyhitler.tumblr.com/post/166779690/glasses">wear glasses</a>, <a href="http://obamaisliterallyhitler.tumblr.com/post/164902472/flowers">give flowers to their wives</a>, and so on. Srsly, folks, you don't have to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYlZiWK2Iy8">be a dining room table</a> to make the connection.<br /><br />But, indulge me, as we consider the possible similarities between Hitler and Ginny Maziarka.<br /><br />Hitler, as you might recall <a href="http://anonymouse.org/cgi-bin/anon-www.cgi/http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/08/west-bend-east-high-school-teacher.html">if your teachers weren't prevented from mentioning the existence of gays in your history classes</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_homosexuals_in_Nazi_Germany_and_the_Holocaust">persecuted gays throughout Nazi Germany</a>. In the 1920s, before the rize of Hitler and the Nazis, gays enjoyed freedoms and liberties throughout Germany. But then Adolf showed up, who believed that homosexuality was "degenerate behavior" which posed a threat to the capacity of the state and the "masculine character" of the nation. Sound familiar?<br /><br />Hitler's Nazis then launched its purge of homosexual clubs in Berlin, outlawed sex publications, and banned organized gay groups. The Nazis also publicly burned the library of the Institute of Sex Research, which contained pro-gay materials. Sound familiar?<br /><br />The Nazis also denounced gay men as "enemies of the state" and charged with "corrupting" public morality and posing a threat to society. Sound familiar?<br /><br />So, I ask you, who is more like Hitler? President Obama, who dares speak to kids about staying in school and wants to ensure all citizens have health coverage, or Ginny Maziarka, who <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/08/ginny-maziarkas-crusade-against.html">wants to rid West Bend of anything gay-ish</a>. I report, you decide.Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-86822605763883550002009-09-03T18:46:00.000-07:002009-09-08T18:53:55.669-07:00Ginny Maziarka Equates Obama to Hitler (Yawn)I think the bandwagon is leaning a little more to the right tonight, because Ginny is fully on board.<br /><br /><a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/09/kudo-to-wb-school-district-nobama-movie.html">Her latest propaganda at WISSUP</a> notes that the WB schools won't be showing the President's address to students next week. Whatevs.<br /><br />But, in <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/08/ginny-maziarkas-crusade-against.html">yet another</a> beautiful example of Ginny's <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/07/blogslut.html">undecipherable</a> and<span> <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/05/ginny-maziarka-tag-spammer.html">misleading tag spamming</a></span>, she's labeled her post with the tag "Hitler".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeTbiU7wGt2iQETqaAow0M-mgYEmAPMvdqfIgdja4M0UK6WXWWvTNHY4D_1VZRvFuvYQ2woqV8XW7FgwI_bLWC07bGZ9Pp88QQJrgACr2EW4wz1oOUfyGWRIwrE8ykJPy_K4ZQzFxPGM/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeTbiU7wGt2iQETqaAow0M-mgYEmAPMvdqfIgdja4M0UK6WXWWvTNHY4D_1VZRvFuvYQ2woqV8XW7FgwI_bLWC07bGZ9Pp88QQJrgACr2EW4wz1oOUfyGWRIwrE8ykJPy_K4ZQzFxPGM/s400/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377423192516916386" border="0" /></a>So, let's ignore the fact that it's perfectly normal for a President to want to speak to school children. Hell, <a href="http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/research/public_papers.php?id=3394&year=1991&month=9">Bush-41</a> and <a href="http://mediamatters.org/blog/200909030020">Reagan</a> both did it. And we can ignore the fact that the conservative propaganda that the President will talk about his health care plans and other items from his "socialist agenda" have been <a href="http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/sep/02/republican-party-florida/republican-party-florida-says-obama-will-indoctrin/">proven to be "pants-on-fire" lies</a>. And we can ignore the fact the same people who think Obama is a socialist are equally misguided in thinking that Hitler was one (he instituted totalitariansim, and the closest the Nazi's under his leadership got to socialism was to guarantee social welfare for all Aryans, and Aryans alone).<br /><br />What truly amazes me about Ginny's use of the "Hitler" tag is that she's finally figured out how to insert a comma between multiple tags. You go, girl!Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-35660259559161808652009-09-03T17:30:00.000-07:002009-09-03T17:38:22.675-07:00Kevin Scheunemann Shares More of his Delightful InsightsRemember Kevin Scheunemann, the <a href="http://chelm.freeyellow.com/2001_1972.html">Libertarian</a> (but <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/04/kevin-scheunemann-kewaskum-trustee-is.html">not really Libertarian</a>) <a href="http://kewaskumwi.govoffice2.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B4D53D36C-85D1-4D07-B9A5-663D6B136398%7D">Kewaskum Trustee</a> and <a href="http://www.dqoa-dqoc.com/html/brdhtml/brdkevins.htm">International Dairy Queen Drive-thru Champion</a> who believes an <a href="http://anonymouse.org/cgi-bin/anon-www.cgi/http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/04/this-business-owner-is-not-afraid.html">"intolerant gay lobby"</a> has been involved in the counter-movement to <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/08/ginny-maziarkas-crusade-against.html">Ginny Maziarka's true anti-gay intolerance</a>?<br /><br />Well, heeeeeee's baaaaack!<br /><br />Apparently <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/09/kewaskum-trustee-shocked-with-west-bend.html">he sent Ginny this message</a>, which she's pasted to her blog, trying to compare Kewaskum's quick response to his request for a <span style="font-style: italic;">copy</span> of an open records request, to how West Bend dealt with an <span style="font-style: italic;">actual</span> open records request.<br /><br />Seems that photocopying an existing file happens faster than library board members trying to decide if their personal email accounts are subject to open records laws. Hmmm...maybe apples and oranges are the same thing inside a DQ.<br /><br />Anyway, Scheunemann can take his self-righteous "Kewaskum will always be better than West Bend" attitude and <a href="http://www.dairyqueen.com/us-en/eats-and-treats/menu/treats/dilly-bar/">dip it in some chocolate</a> for all I care. His opinion is more irrelevant than a DQ in December.Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-54745636694222580122009-09-02T16:18:00.000-07:002009-09-02T16:30:39.809-07:00To Ginny Maziarka, and other Zealots, Bigots and False PatriotsThanks to <a href="http://censorfreelib.blogspot.com/2009/09/anti-censorship-manifesto.html">Censorship-Free Libraries</a>, we have these wonderful words from this year's Banned Book Week's poster, a manifesto against censorship:<br /><blockquote>To you zealots and bigots and false<br />patriots who live in fear of discourse.<br />You screamers and banners and burners<br />who would force books<br />off shelves in your brand name<br />of greater good.<br /><br />You say you’re afraid for children,<br />innocents ripe for corruption<br />by perversion or sorcery on the page.<br />But sticks and stones do break<br />bones, and ignorance is no armor.<br />You do not speak for me,<br />and will not deny my kids magic<br />in favor of miracles.<br /><br />You say you’re afraid for America,<br />the red, white and blue corroded<br />by terrorists, socialists, the sexually<br />confused. But we are a vast quilt<br />of patchwork cultures and multi-gendered<br />identities. You cannot speak for those<br />whose ancestors braved<br />different seas.<br /><br />You say you’re afraid for God,<br />the living word eroded by Muhammed<br />and Darwin and Magdalene.<br />But the omnipotent sculptor of heaven<br />and earth designed intelligence.<br />Surely you dare not speak<br />for the father, who opens<br />his arms to all.<br /><br />A word to the unwise.<br />Torch every book.<br />Char every page.<br />Burn every word to ash.<br />Ideas are incombustible.<br />And therein lies your real fear.<br /></blockquote><p>Download the full manifesto <a href="http://www.ncac.org/images/ncacimages/BBWManifesto%281%29.pdf">here</a>. Find out more about Banned Books Week 2009 <a href="http://www.ncac.org/Banned-Books-Week">here</a>.</p>Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-70295133308079175122009-09-02T07:19:00.000-07:002009-09-02T16:40:47.570-07:00Common Sense Citizens of Ginny's WorldGinny Maziarka has <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/09/common-sense-citizens-new-grassroots.html">drawn attention</a> to the new "grassroots" movement called "<a href="http://www.cscwc.com/">Common Sense Citizens of Washington County</a>". Maybe this will be what she <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/09/pick-new-name-for-west-bend-citizens.html">changes the name</a> of her vendetta to; who knows, who cares.<br /><br />But this is an amusing group.<br /><br />First, their website, while <a href="http://whois.domaintools.com/cscwc.com">literally just created yesterday</a>, looks like it was designed in 1996. Love the pixelated graphics, off-center design, broken menu links, etc. C'mon, folks, even Ginny figured out how to use <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/wbcitizens4safelibraries/">Google Sites</a> to create a halfway decent looking web presence.<br /><br />Then there's the male-centric focus of this group. <a href="http://www.cscwc.com/Officers.htm">Look at the officers</a>: all men (and most with the name "Mike"). I'm sure they'll be thrilled with Ginny's...um...femininity.<br /><br />Lastly, I wonder how they're react to Ginny's decidedly anti-liberty focus. The group holds "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" as one of its core values, yet Ginny's vendetta are most certainly in opposition to that. It is only through the enjoyment of liberty and the pursuit of happiness can someone be free to embrace their sexual identity, seek out love, raise their children without interference, and so on.<br /><br />Common Sense Citizens might want to think twice before adding Ginny to the mix.....unless they <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> need a webmaster (and can stomach some ALL CAPS and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">red text</span>.)<br /><br />// BTW, I wonder how "grass roots" this group really is, seeing that West Bend's representative, Steve Hutchins, sits on the city council. And since once of the goals of the group is to help "conservative individuals obtain and maintain political offices through fund raising and campaign assistance", I certainly hope Mr. Hutchins won't be abusing his power as an elected official to offer "campaign assistance" to others in the group.Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-62032928838072074292009-09-01T16:42:00.000-07:002009-09-01T16:53:41.663-07:00Pick the new name for "West Bend Citizens For Safe Libraries"Ginny Maziarka <s>cackled</s> <a href="http://twitter.com/ginnyWB/status/3692431027">tweeted today</a> that her flagship "West Bend Citizens For Safe Libraries" is getting a "NEW NAME" (she would've used red font if Twitter had allowed).<br /><br />So, while we all wait with bated breath, perhaps we should come up with our own suggestions.<br /><br />Perhaps "West Benders Indulge Ginny's Overreaching Tactics" (W-BIGOT)?<br /><br />Leave your suggestion in the comments below.Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-13842285919060490492009-08-30T12:50:00.000-07:002009-08-30T13:10:01.695-07:00Ginny Maziarka's Crusade Against Homosexuality ContinuesSince there seems to be less and less for Ginny Maziarka to harp on regarding the library (who knows what kind of desperate witch hunt she's on <a href="http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20090825/FON0101/90824178/1289/FON01/Local-librarians-watching-West-Bend-book-controversy-">regarding Tyree's expenses</a>), her <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/08/hear-me-out-or-ginny-maziarkas-crusade.html">campaign against homosexuality</a> has been <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/08/ginny-enough-already.html">taking over</a> on WISSUP.<br /><br /><a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/08/government-can.html">Her latest propaganda</a> is one of those moronic videos by Tim Hawkins complaining about government taxes and expenditures. Whatevs.<br /><br />But in another brilliant example of Ginny's <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/07/blogslut.html">undecipherable</a> and<span> <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/05/ginny-maziarka-tag-spammer.html">misleading tag spamming</a></span>, she's labeled her post with "TraditionalValuesCoaltion", referring to <a href="http://www.traditionalvalues.org/">these folks</a>, a "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Right">Christian Right</a>" group known for various forms of intolerance, especially regarding homosexuality.<br /><br />Just a quick glance at their "<a href="http://www.traditionalvalues.org/urban/">Homosexual Urban Legends</a>" and sorry attempts to <a href="http://www.traditionalvalues.org/homosexual_movement_and_pedophilia/">link the gay movement with pedophilia</a> reveals their not-so-hidden homophobia and bigotry.<br /><br />At least Ginny is consistent with her <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/05/pfox-explains-need-for-balance-of.html">getting into bed</a> with <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/08/pfox-issues-bogus-press-release-calls.html">intolerant assholes</a>.Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-34552224301175765652009-08-25T07:33:00.001-07:002009-08-25T07:48:56.102-07:00The Evolution (or Intelligent Design) of IgnoranceWe've seen quite an <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/06/trying-to-make-sense-of-evolution-of.html"><s>evolutionary</s></a> creatively designed turn of events here in West Bend.<br /><br /><a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/04/ginny-maziarka-pretends-shes-not-trying.html">Originally</a>, Ginny Maziarka wanted the pro-gay books removed, and "balance" inserted into the West Bend Library's young adult section. Then she shifted gears and targeted books she deemed "sexually explicit" and even seemed to think the library housed "child pornography".<br /><br />This, remember, brought out all the crazies, including the CCLU, those four elderly Milwaukee men who apparently drove to West Bend Library and became psychologically harmed just because <span style="font-style: italic;">Baby Be-Bop</span> was shelved there. Their distress was so debilitating, they <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/05/ridiculous-lawsuit-demands-destruction.html">demanded $120,000 and the book to be burned</a>.<br /><br />But why stop there? If Ginny is going to engineer the gravy train of <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/08/hear-me-out-or-ginny-maziarkas-crusade.html">imposing personal morals</a> on the public library, we better look beyond those <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tango-Makes-Three-Peter-Parnell/dp/0689878451">filthy gay penguins</a>.<br /><br />Next stop: evolution!<br /><br />This <a href="http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20090825/FON0101/90824178/1289/FON01/Local-librarians-watching-West-Bend-book-controversy-">article in the Fond du Lac reporter</a> quotes Library director Michael Tyree, and mentions a new challenge that is emerging from Ginny's gaggle of moralists:<blockquote>“About 10 days ago, the couple filed an open records request for the library’s expenditures involving reimbursements. I gave them that. Now, another person within their group of supporters wants us to re-catalog books that are science but from a creationist viewpoint. I told her no,” Tyree said. </blockquote>I'd love to hear more about this challenge. I wonder where these books are currently shelved, and what changes are being requested. Hopefully Mr. Tyree can share the details....Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-55141626357377291962009-08-24T10:28:00.000-07:002009-08-24T10:38:43.822-07:00Hear Me Out, or, Ginny Maziarka's Crusade against Homosexuality<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYgNuA6B9T-1Z_5zwqadHGp-L1AIwD1HSzt2-rxH7Jj96bfMPMyX8C6VtlyfU-DbjFpi9yq3ksRdjWDjsYi2Vy6rubr8kj0cm_u8ZyZLfylvaIMaJUojmgDRr0UE7CEnF4nCeJi-Ytvw/s1600-h/9781896764870.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYgNuA6B9T-1Z_5zwqadHGp-L1AIwD1HSzt2-rxH7Jj96bfMPMyX8C6VtlyfU-DbjFpi9yq3ksRdjWDjsYi2Vy6rubr8kj0cm_u8ZyZLfylvaIMaJUojmgDRr0UE7CEnF4nCeJi-Ytvw/s200/9781896764870.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373586136091096834" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/07/its-perfectly-normal.html">Continuing its insightful</a> review of books that Ginny Maziarka has objected to at the West Bend library, Consorship-Free Libraries <a href="http://censorfreelib.blogspot.com/2009/08/hear-me-out.html">has posted a summary</a> of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hear-Out-Educating-Confronting-Homophobia/dp/1896764878"><span style="font-style: italic;">Hear Me Out: True Stories of Teens Educating and Confronting Homophobia</span></a>, a collection of twenty first-person accounts written by lesbian, gay, and transgender teens.<br /><br />The bottom line is that <span style="font-style: italic;">Hear Me Out</span> does not contain <span style="font-style: italic;">any</span> sexually explicit material or anything else that could cause it to be labeled as obscene by any reasonable person.<br /><br />As a result, Censorship-Free Libraries has issues the following challenge to Ginny:<br /><strong></strong><blockquote><strong>AN OPEN CHALLENGE TO GINNY MAZIARKA:</strong> Post a comment to this blog that explains your objection to <i>Hear Me Out!</i>. Tell us clearly what it is about this book you find objectionable, and state in tangible, practical detail what you think the library should do with/to this book. If you feel your explanation needs more space than a blog comment allows, post a full article on your own WISSUP blog and leave a link in a comment here. (Yes, you should expect your response to be scrutinized and debated). </blockquote>I don't expect Ginny to acknowledge this blatant attempt to rid the library of any text that portrays homosexuality in a positive (or, at least, non-negative) light.<br /><br />Her <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/04/ginny-maziarka-pretends-shes-not-trying.html">repeated attempts</a> to push her (intolerant, homophobic, antithetical of the lessons of Jesus) morals on the rest of the community <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/08/ginny-enough-already.html">have got to stop</a>.Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-89212779973252021112009-08-21T13:28:00.001-07:002009-08-24T10:40:36.298-07:00Where Does Ginny Maziarka Keep Her Porn?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB60CwJfKEg4WRQ-JzhVrI-nMzZK7jmtxYK5sFcJIjcN7PrTYXhb3kbyQ-7ZzcnawM91IcNl9tFUpVSDhVHvmv9zP2E5f0v5vYBjpq-v5XQc4ozZHj133sapM9aMsU19_BzuPmey5vSOk/s1600-h/a84.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB60CwJfKEg4WRQ-JzhVrI-nMzZK7jmtxYK5sFcJIjcN7PrTYXhb3kbyQ-7ZzcnawM91IcNl9tFUpVSDhVHvmv9zP2E5f0v5vYBjpq-v5XQc4ozZHj133sapM9aMsU19_BzuPmey5vSOk/s320/a84.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372516990061055458" border="0" /></a><br />This bit of <a href="http://www.wisconsinchristiannews.com/view_details.php?sid=2221">propaganda over at Wisconsin Christian News</a> features a nice photo of Ginny Maziarka standing in front of the West Bend Memorial Library holding a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deal-Whole-Approach-Your-Brain/dp/0671041576"><span style="font-style: italic;">Deal With It</span></a> along with another unidentifiable book.<br /><br />The way she cradles those reminded me also of <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/06/west-bend-library-board-unanimously.html">this video where she proudly displays</a> her copy of <span style="font-style: italic;">Deal With It</span> within her kitchen.<br /><br />Which causes me again to wonder: If Ginny considers these books to be vulgar, sexually-explicit, and even pornographic, I wonder where she keeps them at home? Does she lock them away so any un-sexualized kids can't get access to them? Does she keep them in her bedside table for those lonely nights when Jim is away? If she considers the <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/06/xxx-rated-library.html">library to be xxx-rated</a> for possessing these books, then what of her own home? Hmmm....<br /><br />And, I wonder if she realizes that by purchasing these books, she's encouraged the authors and publishers to continue to produce them. Ah, the irony.....Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-7906634849036896452009-08-19T20:11:00.000-07:002009-08-19T20:35:05.987-07:00Ginny, Enough AlreadyIn her attempt to get <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/04/ginny-maziarka-pretends-shes-not-trying.html">pro-gay themed books</a> (oops, I mean, sexually explicit books) removed from the young adult section of the library, she's brought <a href="http://michaelzimmer.org/2009/06/16/west-bend-library-controversy-continues-to-escalate/">increasingly negative attention to West Bend</a>, culminating in <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/05/ridiculous-lawsuit-demands-destruction.html">calls for book burnings</a> and <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/06/citizens-of-west-bend-meet-gawker.html">ridicule</a> across the Internet. In the process, she's <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/06/i-hope-ginny-has-good-lawyer.html">defamed numerous citizens</a>, and cost the taxpayers who knows how much.<br /><br />Lately, Ginny has been spreading her hatred and intolerance to an even broader array of targets.<br /><ul><li>She's been <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/08/synopsis-of-health-care-easy-version.html">posting the usual mis-informed propaganda</a> against health care reform.</li><li>She's been <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/08/knepel-trying-to-convince-wb-to-give.html">bad-mouthing Carl Knepel</a>, a young West Bend citizen who wants to try to be on the school board.</li><li>She's <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/08/west-bend-east-high-school-teacher.html">highly critical of the presence of a gay man, Scott Lone,</a> including gay history in West Bend high school classes, allowing her to perch herself back on her anti-harassment policy soapbox.</li></ul>Sigh.<br /><br />Maria Hanrahan puts it best: <a href="http://cafemaria.blogspot.com/2009/08/enough.html">enough is enough</a>:<br /><blockquote>Ginny Maziarka does not speak for West Bend, WI. She claims to represent the majority of the community, but offers nothing to substantiate this. Its time for the citizens of this community to speak out and end her bullying of other citizens and acting in other ways that tarnish our community's reputation. I'm not saying she does not have the right to speak her opinion and take action to make changes she believes are necessary in the community. However, we don't have to remain silent (thereby indicating acquiescence) about her rantings about our fellow citizens and our community. </blockquote>Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-25473242531686804572009-08-19T19:14:00.001-07:002009-08-19T19:38:50.620-07:00Effingham Library Refuses to Censor Book from Teen SectionI don't know what route Ginny Maziarka took to <a href="http://sleeplessinwestbend.blogspot.com/2009/08/look-out-myrtle-beach.html">get to Myrtle Beach</a>, but this week the good folks in <span>Effingham, Illinois <a href="http://www.effinghamdailynews.com/local/local_story_230112621.html">have been dealing with</a> their own local bunch of folks trying to restrict access to young adult books.<br /><br />Seems a mother didn't like that her 15-year old daughter was moved by the book </span><span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Living-Dead-Girl-Elizabeth-Scott/dp/1416960597"><span style="font-style: italic;">Living Dead Girl</span></a>, written by Elizabeth Scott. The book is about a 15-year-old’s perspective of living with her captor after being forcibly kidnapped and imprisoned at the age of 10. The book has <a href="http://www.elizabethwrites.com/livingdeadgirl.php">received several accolades and awards</a> from book critics.<br /><br />Certainly, the book deals with heavy issues, which would cause many readers to be affected. But, of course, that's what makes a book good -- the way it can move you emotionally, take you places you've never been, feel things you've never felt before (and in this case, hopefully never will).<br /><br />Well, our Effingham mother become concerned because her 15-year old daughter was affected by the book. She</span><span> formally requested the book be removed from the library or at least the teen section because of the graphic content of the book and the "unsatisfactory ending." (Yep, the main character is murdered at the end of the book, but if unsatisfactory endings is a suitable criteria to remove books from the library, I have a LONG list to present at the next WB Library Board meeting)<br /><br />This pretty much sums up the mother's position:<br /></span><span><blockquote>“I don’t think any teen or adult should read this book,” Hibdon said. “There is no good coming out of this book.”</blockquote>Sound familiar, West Bend?<br /><br />Fortunately, the library board knew better. The director has a good perspective, noting that just because a book might make one uncomfortable, that's no reason to remove it:<br /></span><span></span><blockquote><span>Library Director Jeannie May said she agrees the book takes on a painful topic, but she doesn’t believe that is reason enough to remove the book from the library.<br /></span></blockquote>The teen librarian also recognizes the importance -- and popularity -- of books dealing with "dark" subject matter:<br /><span><blockquote>Teen librarian Shirley Marshall told May removing the book could start a trend because the middle teens is when young adults begin exploring dark things as an outlet. That is why the “Twilight” series, which revolves around vampires, is so popular. If the requested book is removed from the shelf, how long before someone asks that these other type of “dark” books be removed? questioned Marshall.</blockquote>A board member agreed:<br /></span><span></span><blockquote><span>Board member John Latta said although the subject of the “Living Dead Girl” is a difficult subject, it also is something that actually happens in society and having access to that reality may not necessarily be a bad thing. He added the book’s point about the character having the chance to get out of the situation and not taking it illustrates a harsh reality that occurs in those type of abusive situations.</span></blockquote>Finally, nearly everyone recognized that it is the <span style="font-style: italic;">parents</span> who need to be involved in what their kids are reading:<br /><blockquote><ul><li><span>Library Director Jeannie May: </span><span>“We believe parents know what is best for their children and it is their job to review the materials they are reading.” </span></li><li><span>Board member John Latta: “It is up to the parents to censor the material they are reading, not the library.”</span></li><li><span>Board member Rod Wiethop: <span>he would not want his 12- or 13-year-old daughter reading this book, but it is up to families to make those type of decisions.</span></span></li></ul></blockquote>Ginny, are you listening?Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114830525884600937.post-40652081076903170512009-08-15T20:04:00.000-07:002009-08-15T20:13:01.435-07:00Look Out, Myrtle BeachLooks like Ginny Maziarka is <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/08/vacationing.html">headed to Myrtle Beach</a> for some R&R.<br /><br />I just hope the good folks at <a href="http://www.chapinlibrary.org">Chapin Memorial Library</a> know what's coming, since they have <a href="http://www.chapinlibrary.org/POLARIS/search/searchresults.aspx?ctx=3.1033.0.0.4&type=Default&term=its%20perfectly%20normal&by=KW&sort=RELEVANCE&limit=TOM=*&query=&page=0#__pos1"><span style="font-style: italic;">It's Perfectly Normal</span></a> shelved in the juvenile non-fiction section, <a href="http://www.chapinlibrary.org/POLARIS/search/searchresults.aspx?ctx=3.1033.0.0.4&type=Keyword&term=perks%20of%20being&by=KW&sort=RELEVANCE&limit=TOM=*&query=&page=0#__pos1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Perks of Being a Wallflower</span></a> shelved in young adult fiction, and who knows what else <a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/08/american-family-news-covers-west-bend.html">sexualizing children and grandchildren</a>.<br /><br />I'm shocked Ginny contributes to the tax base of a community that has an "<a href="http://wissup.blogspot.com/2009/06/xxx-rated-library-west-bend-library-is.html">XXX-rated</a>" library. Shocked.Concerned West Bend Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11269774099507336969noreply@blogger.com2