Sleepless in West Bend

Retirement

2009-09-17T06:51:00.000-07:00

Dear readers:

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.

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.

I have created WISSUP-Uncensored, 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.

And one never knows, I might pop up again...

Cheers!
Concerned West Bend Citizen

Ginny Maziarka Verbally Rapes Us All

2009-09-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

Like I said, 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.

Continuing her idiotic criticism of Director Tyree's presence at an ACLU of Wisconsin event celebrating Banned Books Week, Ginny has posted a secondhand account of, and reaction to, one of Tyree's remarks.

According to Maria Hanrahan, Tyree noted how Terry Vrana made an idiot statement after one of the city council meetings, comparing the library to a porn shop. 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."

An attempt at humor; perhaps it worked, perhaps it didn't. I wasn't in the room.

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 "verbally rape[d]" the citizens of West Bend.

WTF?

Is WBCFSL Fading Away?

2009-09-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

As Ginny Maziarka's WISSUP blog continues to shift its focus to the daily FoxNews bullet points, and it's become clear that Ginny rarely follows up with what she's started, I've been wondering about how much further she can go with her open record requests and desire to rid the library of gay-affirming texts and anything that has a drawing of a penis in it.

Well, it seems that her "West Bend Citizens for Safe Libraries" (sic) organization might finally be fading into the distance. She hasn't updated the WBCFSL website in ages, hasn't released the promised timeline, 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 ParentalRights.org and the Eagle Forum of Wisconsin).

Perhaps Ginny read today's paper and finally realized that she's lost the library battle. But, when we're dealing with Ginny, there's one thing for certain: she won't let us down!

An Open Records Request for Ginny Maziarka

2009-09-14T19:33:00.000-07:00

It is no secret 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.

Recently, she's famously filed an ORR for all the email communications of the library board, all the financial reimbursements processed by the library, and who knows what else. Today, she posted the salaries of library employees, for no other apparent reason than because she can.

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.

I'd like to hold Ginny to the same standard. She claims to represent the majority of West Bend citizens. 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.

So, I hereby file the following open records request to Ginny Maziarka and the West Bend Citizens for Safe Libraries organization:

Please submit electronic copies of the following documents and communications, as related to the West Bend library controversy:
All emails/written communication between Ginny Maziarka and Dan Kleinman (SafeLibraries.org), PFOX, Mark Belling, Owen Robinson, and the Wisconsin Family Council.
All other emails / written communication sent/received related to the library controversy
Financial statements of all related income, donations, and expenditures.

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. Start acting like it.

Why [Ginny Maziarka] is Stupid

2009-09-13T14:28:00.000-07:00

Today, Ginna Maziarka re-posts some college kid's rant against his/her philosophy class. Of course, she tags it with references to Mark Peterson, an apparent criticism of the local philosophy prof.

My question is: why did Ginny suddenly decide to re-post something completely off topic and originally published on a random (and abandoned) blog in 2004?

Here's my guess:

Perhaps Ginny saw Mark's recent post about her (which also mentioned this lovely merchandise for sale). 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!"

But, of course, Ginny isn't really capable of writing her own blog post explaining why philosophy is stupid, so, she Googled it.

The first result is from Jaköbishe Rants. 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.

The second result? Yep, our 2004 post from The Vented Truth.

I just wonder if Ginny read the comments; such foul language! Cuz, you know, if you link to something, then you're endorsing/sponsoring/responsible for its content.

Ginny, please correct me if I'm wrong. Otherwise, you're just being stupid.

Ginny Maziarka's Newest Profession: Forensic Accountant!

2009-09-12T13:17:00.000-07:00

Ginny Maziarka wears many hats:

Officially, she's a medical transcriptionist for St. Joseph's Hospital in West Bend, WI.
Her Boots & Sabers profile indicates she has an interest in "Thumping liberal thugs"
On Twitter, she's a "Conservative Christian Activist - Wielding the sword of Truth"

But her latest tweet reveals she is reviewing (presumably) the library's budget documents. Apparently Ginny has a new feather in her hat: forensic accountant!

I wonder if her ability to analyze financial statements will be any better than her (in)ability to understand a code of ethics....

Ginny Maziarka Rarely Finishes What She Starts

2009-09-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

Ginny 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.

For example:

Ginny Maziarka files a complaint with the city attorney, 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. Ginny complains loudly, but doesn't take the extra 5 minutes to get her complaint notarized. Nothing ever happens.
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 timeline of "oppression" and "covert involvement" of outsiders related to the book challenges, and tweeted that it was "nearing completion". At least two months have passed since this was "nearing completion", and no timeline has been released.
Ginny's "future plans" state that "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." Three months have passed since the new board's appointment, and no "revised letter" has been submitted.
Ginny tweets that "West Bend Citizens for Safe Libraries getting a NEW NAME". Nearly two weeks have passed, and no new name has materialized (although I have some suggestions).
And the granddaddy of them all: Ginny's original complaint 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: "Since the library has asked us to begin again, we are going to begin again" (at timestamp 21:32 in this video). Later (timestamp 28:05), she tells attendees to "go the extra mile" and to "go to the library, pick up a form, fill it out." Then (timestamp 28:15), she admits that her petition won't be sufficient, and that "I can guarantee you you'll need a formal complaint form." 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.

One wonders if Ginny will be able to follow up with her threat of having a referendum regarding her desire to block access to information.

Ginny Maziarka's Statements on Homosexuality

2009-09-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

Ginny 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.

June 21, 2008 blog post: Infers homosexuality is comparable to bestiality, pedophilia.
June 27, 2008 8:21 PM blog comment: Infers homosexuality is comparable to bestiality, pedophilia.
February 12, 2009 Reconsideration form, item #4: Describes purposes of books on the library's "Out of the Closet" list as encouraging and normalizing "illegal behaviors".
February 12, 2009 Letter Accompanying Reconsideration form: Believes presence of books that depict homosexuality in a positive light endangers the "health, safety, and well being of many people"
February 12, 2009 Letter Accompanying Reconsideration form: Refers to homosexuality as a "condition"

Ginny Maziarka doesn't speak for me!

2009-09-11T13:49:00.000-07:00

If you agree with this statement, get your gear here: http://www.cafepress.com/pray4ginny

Brilliant work (especially the brown headline with red font), and all proceeds will be donated to the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission.

Introducing WISSUP-Uncensored

2009-09-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

Are you tired of Ginny Maziarka's censorship of your comments at WISSUP?

Me too.

That's why I created a new blog, WISSUP-Uncensored, 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.

(I originally was going to republish each of her posts verbatim, but I -- reluctantly -- decided to honor her intellectual property rights to her tired, worn out, ignorant rants. So, all you have is the title and a link to the original)

Check it out! WISSUP-Uncensored

Ginny Maziarka Continues her Obama=Hitler Rant

2009-09-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

This is really getting ridiculous.

Ginny Maziarka continues to insist that Obama=Hitler, despite any rational attempt to persuade her otherwise.

In today's post, a continuation of her diatribe against the President speaking to school children about -- GASP -- staying in school, each time the name "Obama" appears in her tired rant, she links to various Hitler Youth websites: the Wikipedia article, a random amateur history site, and HistoryPlace.com.

She tops it off with her oh-so-clever phrasing "Hitl...er, Obama's part", reminiscent of her childish re-naming of Maria Hanrahan's organization, the West Bend Parents For Free Speech, as West Bend Parents for Free Sex, um, I mean Free Speech (ooops, sorry 'bout that).

The ignorance of her rhetoric -- and her utter lack of understanding of history -- is astounding.

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.

www.ginnymaziarka.com

2009-09-06T13:08:00.000-07:00

Someone has created www.ginnymaziarka.com, which links to this NPR article, which states:

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.

Well done, whoever you are.

Who is More Like Hitler: Obama or Ginny Maziarka?

2009-09-04T08:46:00.001-07:00

Sorry for again violating Godwin's Law, but Ginny Maziarka's continued insistence that Obama=Hitler is so amusing, I just can't help myself.

I think we need to take a hard look at this question: Who is more like Hitler: President Obama or Ginny Maziarka?

The evidence that Obama = Hitler is pretty convincing. Consider: 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 celebrated Christmas, wear glasses, give flowers to their wives, and so on. Srsly, folks, you don't have to be a dining room table to make the connection.

But, indulge me, as we consider the possible similarities between Hitler and Ginny Maziarka.

Hitler, as you might recall if your teachers weren't prevented from mentioning the existence of gays in your history classes, persecuted gays throughout Nazi Germany. 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?

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?

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?

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 wants to rid West Bend of anything gay-ish. I report, you decide.

Ginny Maziarka Equates Obama to Hitler (Yawn)

2009-09-03T18:46:00.000-07:00

I think the bandwagon is leaning a little more to the right tonight, because Ginny is fully on board.

Her latest propaganda at WISSUP notes that the WB schools won't be showing the President's address to students next week. Whatevs.

But, in yet another beautiful example of Ginny's undecipherable and misleading tag spamming, she's labeled her post with the tag "Hitler".

So, let's ignore the fact that it's perfectly normal for a President to want to speak to school children. Hell, Bush-41 and Reagan 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 proven to be "pants-on-fire" lies. 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).

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!

Kevin Scheunemann Shares More of his Delightful Insights

2009-09-03T17:30:00.000-07:00

Remember Kevin Scheunemann, the Libertarian (but not really Libertarian) Kewaskum Trustee and International Dairy Queen Drive-thru Champion who believes an "intolerant gay lobby" has been involved in the counter-movement to Ginny Maziarka's true anti-gay intolerance?

Well, heeeeeee's baaaaack!

Apparently he sent Ginny this message, which she's pasted to her blog, trying to compare Kewaskum's quick response to his request for a copy of an open records request, to how West Bend dealt with an actual open records request.

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.

Anyway, Scheunemann can take his self-righteous "Kewaskum will always be better than West Bend" attitude and dip it in some chocolate for all I care. His opinion is more irrelevant than a DQ in December.

To Ginny Maziarka, and other Zealots, Bigots and False Patriots

2009-09-02T16:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Censorship-Free Libraries, we have these wonderful words from this year's Banned Book Week's poster, a manifesto against censorship:

To you zealots and bigots and false
patriots who live in fear of discourse.
You screamers and banners and burners
who would force books
off shelves in your brand name
of greater good.

You say you’re afraid for children,
innocents ripe for corruption
by perversion or sorcery on the page.
But sticks and stones do break
bones, and ignorance is no armor.
You do not speak for me,
and will not deny my kids magic
in favor of miracles.

You say you’re afraid for America,
the red, white and blue corroded
by terrorists, socialists, the sexually
confused. But we are a vast quilt
of patchwork cultures and multi-gendered
identities. You cannot speak for those
whose ancestors braved
different seas.

You say you’re afraid for God,
the living word eroded by Muhammed
and Darwin and Magdalene.
But the omnipotent sculptor of heaven
and earth designed intelligence.
Surely you dare not speak
for the father, who opens
his arms to all.

A word to the unwise.
Torch every book.
Char every page.
Burn every word to ash.
Ideas are incombustible.
And therein lies your real fear.

Download the full manifesto here. Find out more about Banned Books Week 2009 here.

Common Sense Citizens of Ginny's World

2009-09-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

Ginny Maziarka has drawn attention to the new "grassroots" movement called "Common Sense Citizens of Washington County". Maybe this will be what she changes the name of her vendetta to; who knows, who cares.

But this is an amusing group.

First, their website, while literally just created yesterday, 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 Google Sites to create a halfway decent looking web presence.

Then there's the male-centric focus of this group. Look at the officers: all men (and most with the name "Mike"). I'm sure they'll be thrilled with Ginny's...um...femininity.

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.

Common Sense Citizens might want to think twice before adding Ginny to the mix.....unless they really need a webmaster (and can stomach some ALL CAPS and red text.)

// 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.

Pick the new name for "West Bend Citizens For Safe Libraries"

2009-09-01T16:42:00.000-07:00

Ginny Maziarka ~~cackled~~ tweeted today that her flagship "West Bend Citizens For Safe Libraries" is getting a "NEW NAME" (she would've used red font if Twitter had allowed).

So, while we all wait with bated breath, perhaps we should come up with our own suggestions.

Perhaps "West Benders Indulge Ginny's Overreaching Tactics" (W-BIGOT)?

Leave your suggestion in the comments below.

Ginny Maziarka's Crusade Against Homosexuality Continues

2009-08-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

Since 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 regarding Tyree's expenses), her campaign against homosexuality has been taking over on WISSUP.

Her latest propaganda is one of those moronic videos by Tim Hawkins complaining about government taxes and expenditures. Whatevs.

But in another brilliant example of Ginny's undecipherable and misleading tag spamming, she's labeled her post with "TraditionalValuesCoaltion", referring to these folks, a "Christian Right" group known for various forms of intolerance, especially regarding homosexuality.

Just a quick glance at their "Homosexual Urban Legends" and sorry attempts to link the gay movement with pedophilia reveals their not-so-hidden homophobia and bigotry.

At least Ginny is consistent with her getting into bed with intolerant assholes.

The Evolution (or Intelligent Design) of Ignorance

2009-08-25T07:33:00.001-07:00

We've seen quite an ~~evolutionary~~ creatively designed turn of events here in West Bend.

Originally, 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".

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 Baby Be-Bop was shelved there. Their distress was so debilitating, they demanded $120,000 and the book to be burned.

But why stop there? If Ginny is going to engineer the gravy train of imposing personal morals on the public library, we better look beyond those filthy gay penguins.

Next stop: evolution!

This article in the Fond du Lac reporter quotes Library director Michael Tyree, and mentions a new challenge that is emerging from Ginny's gaggle of moralists:

“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.

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....

Hear Me Out, or, Ginny Maziarka's Crusade against Homosexuality

2009-08-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

Continuing its insightful review of books that Ginny Maziarka has objected to at the West Bend library, Consorship-Free Libraries has posted a summary of Hear Me Out: True Stories of Teens Educating and Confronting Homophobia, a collection of twenty first-person accounts written by lesbian, gay, and transgender teens.

The bottom line is that Hear Me Out does not contain any sexually explicit material or anything else that could cause it to be labeled as obscene by any reasonable person.

As a result, Censorship-Free Libraries has issues the following challenge to Ginny:

AN OPEN CHALLENGE TO GINNY MAZIARKA: Post a comment to this blog that explains your objection to Hear Me Out!. 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).

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.

Her repeated attempts to push her (intolerant, homophobic, antithetical of the lessons of Jesus) morals on the rest of the community have got to stop.

Where Does Ginny Maziarka Keep Her Porn?

2009-08-21T13:28:00.001-07:00

This bit of propaganda over at Wisconsin Christian News features a nice photo of Ginny Maziarka standing in front of the West Bend Memorial Library holding a copy of Deal With It along with another unidentifiable book.

The way she cradles those reminded me also of this video where she proudly displays her copy of Deal With It within her kitchen.

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 library to be xxx-rated for possessing these books, then what of her own home? Hmmm....

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.....

Ginny, Enough Already

2009-08-19T20:11:00.000-07:00

In her attempt to get pro-gay themed books (oops, I mean, sexually explicit books) removed from the young adult section of the library, she's brought increasingly negative attention to West Bend, culminating in calls for book burnings and ridicule across the Internet. In the process, she's defamed numerous citizens, and cost the taxpayers who knows how much.

Lately, Ginny has been spreading her hatred and intolerance to an even broader array of targets.

She's been posting the usual mis-informed propaganda against health care reform.
She's been bad-mouthing Carl Knepel, a young West Bend citizen who wants to try to be on the school board.
She's highly critical of the presence of a gay man, Scott Lone, including gay history in West Bend high school classes, allowing her to perch herself back on her anti-harassment policy soapbox.

Sigh.

Maria Hanrahan puts it best: enough is enough:

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.

Effingham Library Refuses to Censor Book from Teen Section

2009-08-19T19:14:00.001-07:00

I don't know what route Ginny Maziarka took to get to Myrtle Beach, but this week the good folks in Effingham, Illinois have been dealing with their own local bunch of folks trying to restrict access to young adult books.

Seems a mother didn't like that her 15-year old daughter was moved by the book Living Dead Girl, 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 received several accolades and awards from book critics.

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).

Well, our Effingham mother become concerned because her 15-year old daughter was affected by the book. She 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)

This pretty much sums up the mother's position:

“I don’t think any teen or adult should read this book,” Hibdon said. “There is no good coming out of this book.”

Sound familiar, West Bend?

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:

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.

The teen librarian also recognizes the importance -- and popularity -- of books dealing with "dark" subject matter:

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.

A board member agreed:

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.

Finally, nearly everyone recognized that it is the parents who need to be involved in what their kids are reading:

Library Director Jeannie May: “We believe parents know what is best for their children and it is their job to review the materials they are reading.”
Board member John Latta: “It is up to the parents to censor the material they are reading, not the library.”
Board member Rod Wiethop: 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.

Ginny, are you listening?

Look Out, Myrtle Beach

2009-08-15T20:04:00.000-07:00

Looks like Ginny Maziarka is headed to Myrtle Beach for some R&R.

I just hope the good folks at Chapin Memorial Library know what's coming, since they have It's Perfectly Normal shelved in the juvenile non-fiction section, Perks of Being a Wallflower shelved in young adult fiction, and who knows what else sexualizing children and grandchildren.

I'm shocked Ginny contributes to the tax base of a community that has an "XXX-rated" library. Shocked.

JSOnline Column: Read not, sin not? I think not

2009-08-14T18:27:00.000-07:00

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has published an op/ed column by Joe Simon on the West Bend Library fiasco, dripping in sarcasm and sage advice. Some excerpts:

Finally, someone is doing something to save and protect our wayward youth. For too long, we have pretended that it was drugs, peer pressure and involvement in petty crimes and gangs that corrupted our young people. We mistakenly have condemned mindless television, violent video games and nihilistic music when, in fact, the real enemy has been right there under our reading glasses.

Yes, I am talking about books. It is now clear that they are responsible for everything wrong with today's society.

For too long, we have assumed that encouraging reading would make our children better people, more understanding of diversity, more aware of cultural and ethnic differences and more intellectually enlightened. But no longer.

I congratulate Jim and Ginny Maziarka, the vigilant parents in West Bend who have waged war to cleanse their public library of all that is indecent and immoral. They have selflessly spent hours upon hours searching out the filthiest phrases in young people's literature so the phrases can be taken out of context. After all, if you cannot read about something, then it is easier to pretend it does not exist. Like homosexuality or science.
:::
Unfortunately, even though the Maziarkas have come up with 82 questionable books that need to be censored, I think they must have missed quite a few. Indeed, almost any book can seem dirty if you have a dirty enough mind. And apparently, people in West Bend do. Therefore, it would be better to ban all books. By doing this, we can assure that our children will stay as ignorant as guppies and just as docile (although, we hope, not as promiscuous).

Still, it must be confusing for the children in West Bend to watch adults fight over the content of a bunch of silly books. Up until now, libraries were the last place most kids wanted to be seen entering. Now, with their curiosity up, they actually might be tempted to start reading. Soon, they may even develop their own points of view. Or, God forbid, empathy and tolerance for others.

Ginny Maziarka: "Intellectual freedom for minors is DANGEROUS"

2009-08-11T11:09:00.001-07:00

According to Ginny Maziarka, "Intellectual freedom for minors is DANGEROUS".

I just don't know what to say to that. Unbelievable.

Ginny Maziarka Continues Scare Tactics; Should Focus on Child Literacy Instead

2009-08-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

Pointing to this stale coverage of the West Bend library controversy by a conservative Christian news site, Ginny Maziarka repeats her claims that the library is unsafe for children and young adults.

Recall after the library board refused to move books or change their procedures, Ginny declared the library x-rated. Now, she's saying the library is "sexualizing" children, merely because it shelves the same few young adult books dealing with sexuality (both hetero- and homo-) in the same ways the vast majority of other area libraries do.

I tire of trying to retort all of Ginny's ignorant rhetoric (and I've been banished from commenting on her site anyway). However, I strongly urge everyone to read the comments of "Local MLIS Student", who calls on Ginny to stop being so negative and confrontation, and instead focus on youth literacy:

Honestly, you should really stop and consider the fact that so many other area libraries shelve the books you question in Young Adult sections. You should stop and consider the fact that the books you question are written, promoted, and shelved for young adult audiences, not children. You shoudl stop and consider that numerous professional and academic publications and experts view these materials as appropriate for young adults.

You should stop and consider that nearly everyone can find books in a library they don't agree with. That's the nature of a free society with freedom of expression. This isn't some kind of liberal agenda, nor some kind of conspiracy by the ALA to run local libraries. It merely is nature of the kind of society we enjoy.

If I were you, I'd focus my energies on teaching kids how to judge sources of information, how to make informed decisions about all the media content they encounter, how to reconcile the information they confront with their personal beliefs (and belief systems), and how to get along with people whose belief systems might differ from their own.

This is how we protect children; not by putting certain information out of reach.

Well spoken. Will Ginny listen?

PFOX Issues Bogus Press Release; Calls Library Selection Process "Censorship"

2009-08-10T06:10:00.000-07:00

The Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX) organization, a group seemingly committed to the "conversion" of gays that the APA recently declared ineffective and harmful, has issued a press release criticizing the West Bend library for "ignoring" their requests "that the Library balance some of its homosexual material for children with material written by ex-gays or with a heterosexual slant."

First off, I have no idea what a book with a "heterosexual slant" means, but likely ALL THE OTHER BOOKS that don't address GLTBQ issues fit this bill.

Secondly, the library HAS included some reparative-therapy titles as suggested by Ginny Maziarka, as noted here. I recently searched the West Bend library for the over 1 dozen books Maziarka suggested the library acquire (provided within this PDF....which I'll post about soon, and relisted by Ginny here), and found these titles now shelved at the library:

101 Frequently Asked Questions About Homosexuality by Mike Haley
The Heart of Female Same-Sex Attraction by Janelle Hallman

Other titles might be in the process of being acquired. However, when I searched for these 12 titles on other local library systems (similar to this analysis of Ginny's problem texts), I discovered that of the 14 books Ginny (and presumably, PFOX) wants shelved, only 2 other area libraries held any of the books in question:

That's it -- two libraries. So West Bend seems to be following local standards regarding the acquisition of these types of texts; hardly ignoring PFOX or Ginny Maziarka.

This speaks to PFOX's other allegation: that the West Bend library is engaging in censorship by not shelving more "ex-gay" texts. The fact of the matter is, that almost NO libraries in southeast Wisconsin carry ANY of the books suggested. That's not censorship, but likely the professional and educated analysis of what books are suitable to be shelved in the library. If the books requested were positively reviewed by reputable publications or organizations, you'd think more libraries would carry them. Yet, they do not.

That's not censorship; it is called responsible and professional librarianship.

//Update: This press release is being covered all over the place, unfortunately. Luckily, others agree as to its idiocy. One great analysis is here.

Psychologists Reject Gay "Therapy"

2009-08-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

Recently, the American Psychological Association declared that attempts to "convert" homosexuals into heterosexuals through "therapy" has no scientific basis, and may actually cause harm to the patient.

From the New York Times report:

In a resolution adopted by the association’s governing council, and in an accompanying report, the association issued its most comprehensive repudiation of so-called reparative therapy, a concept espoused by a small but persistent group of therapists, often allied with religious conservatives, who maintain that gay men and lesbians can change.
No solid evidence exists that such change is likely, says the resolution, adopted by a 125-to-4 vote. The association said some research suggested that efforts to produce change could be harmful, inducing depression and suicidal tendencies.

And CNN reports:

"Contrary to claims of sexual orientation change advocates and practitioners, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation," said Judith M. Glassgold, chairwoman of the task force that presented the report at the group's annual meeting in Toronto, Canada. The Washington-based association represents more than 150,000 members.
"At most, certain studies suggested that some individuals learned how to ignore or not act on their homosexual attractions. Yet, these studies did not indicate for whom this was possible, how long it lasted or its long-term mental health effects. Also, this result was much less likely to be true for people who started out only attracted to people of the same sex."
In response, the group's governing Council of Representatives passed a resolution Wednesday urging mental health professionals not to recommend to their clients that they can change their sexual orientation through therapy or any other methods.
The group's Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation reached its conclusion after its review of 87 studies conducted between 1960 and 2007 and finding "serious methodological problems" in the vast majority of them.

This doesn't bode well for Ginny Maziarka's desire (ie, here and here) to include gay conversion literature in the young adult section of the West Bend library.

Comment Censorship at WISSUP

2009-08-04T09:04:00.000-07:00

[Note: I've been banned from WISSUP; see update at bottom of post]

After keeping her hands off comments for a while, Ginny Maziarka has reverted back to censoring comments at her WISSUP blog.

Some removals are more reasonable than others. On her odd post about the hodag, someone named "Ginny's Third Chin Speaks Out" left a rude remark, which Ginny deleted. Fine.

But she's also removed a comment of mine (and one by "Rolf") at her post complaining about Fireside hosting a book signing by a Wisconsin couple who have raised two gay sons.

About 90 minutes after Ginny published this post, I commented that she's merely re-hashing her old argument, that many pointed out was illogical and misplaced months ago. In doing so, I called her "stubborn" and "single-track-minded". I also wondered aloud if her real issue was the fact that the parents are celebrating the gayness of their children.

Over 3 days later, Ginny responds to me with a query about "what author [Fireside] will be offering next to our community to lend insight into the opposing viewpoint"

Then, over 3 days after that response to me, Ginny gives me this ultimatum:

I'll say this as respectfully as I can. I have allowed you to post time and again on my blog. I've tried to give you your say, yet your personal attacks come one right after the other...to the point of harassment. Therefore, this is simply a first request that you tame your commentary and stick to the content of the blog post. If you cannot do what I request, I will ask you not to post on WISSUP in the future. Thank you.

Mind you, I made no other comments on this post since my first 5 days prior, while Ginny had been interacting with other commenters with some frequency.

Seeing this, Maria Hanrahan asks Ginny which comments of mine she feels are personal attacks, and why she didn't bring this up sooner, so no other comments had been made.

Ginny refuses to answer Maria because " The request was directed towards others, not you". (This is that stubbornness I was referring to)

So, a few hours later, I left a comment saying, essentially, "Ok, Ginny, answer Maria's question for my benefit, since it was directed at me." And I also said something to the effect of "If you think being called "stubborn" is a personal attack bordering on harassment, then perhaps the blogosphere isn't the place for you. If you can't take the heat...."

I can't paste my exact words, because Ginny deleted the comment! She even celebrated her "wielding the sword of truth" with an exclamatory "Poof!"

I posted a new comment a few minutes ago (see screenshot) asking for an explanation, and in the time it took me to write this post, she deleted that as well.

Unbelievable.

Oh, and the original -- apparently offending -- remarks haven't been deleted, only my comments questioning her reaction to them. Yes, this is crazy.

// UPDATE: Well, folks. It seems I've been banned from commenting at WISSUP.

After Ginny deleted the comment mentioned above, I left a simple reaction: "WOW" (screenshot at right). Ginny proceeded to delete that comment, and left this message:

As you will note, CCWB is no longer posting here. This is because I feel the harassment CCWB has delivered on this blog has been an ongoing issue that I have been patient with for way too long. I feel CCWBs rhetoric hinders the intelligent conversations taking place, is used as a distraction, and that CCWB is trying to draw attention to himself. I gave one opportunistic warning, now poof!, gone.....

We'll miss ya.

I find it truly amusing that:

(a) I had comments deleted and was banned merely because I was asking for explanation of a warning and the subsequent removal of comments,

(b) none of my comments after the warning could even come close to constituting a personal attack or harassment (in fact, the only comments I left after the "opportunistic warning" are those noted above, and this one asking Dan Kleinman for clarification of an accusation he made of another commenter), and

(c) that Ginny feels my rhetoric is hindering what she sees as otherwise "intelligent conversations" on her blog.

POOF!

.....UPDATE: Ginny has now changed the settings on WISSUP so only people with Google or OpenID accounts can leave comments. No more anonymous comments, or simply providing a name/url. Whatevs.

WISSUP Fail

2009-08-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

Referring to being the public voice for the so-called "West Bend Citizens for Safe Libraries", Ginny Maziarka recently commented that "I wish someone else more skilled than myself would take this over...."

Looking at the recent posts at WISSUP, it seems Ginny is indeed shifting her focus away from this latest pet peeve. Readers of Ginny's flagship blog have recently been treated to the following:

A story about a vendor whose lease wasn't renewed at a mall in North Carolina, presumably because some patrons of the mall didn't like what he was selling
Next came a story about how much Ginny enjoyed a concert by Darryl Worley, known best for his nude photos in Playgirl.
Then a post about the "Ready or Not...They’re Gay" book signing at Fireside, basically a repeat of her rant from back in June. (This was at least tangentially related to the library controversy)
Next, a random post confirming the existence of the website Gail.com.
Then, a pie recipe.
A symphony concert.
Next, a comment about President Obama supporters should expect rudeness and hostility in public venues throughout Washington County.
Then, a post to Glenn Beck's ridiculous conspiracy theory about the government taking over your personal computer if you visit the Cars.gov website (thoroughly debunked, btw).
Then a repost of Boots & Sabers criticism of a letter to the newspaper about the library controversy (that's the 2nd relevant post).
And finally, a post about the fictional hodag. (Huh?)

I fear Ginny is a bit burnt out. Good thing she has Dan Kleinman to help out with her Timeline of "Oppression" and "Covert Involvement" of Evil Outsiders.

Library Controversy 3rd Most Blogged About Topic Last Week

2009-07-31T07:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the recent report on CNN.com, the West Bend library controversy was the 3rd most blogged about issue last week, according to the Pew Research Center. The only things more blogs linked to were stories about President Obama, and a BBC report on the new costume for British TV science fiction character Dr. Who. And more people blogged about West Bend than the controversial arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates!

I would congratulate Ginny Maziarka for helping West Bend get this kind of global attention, but the vast majority of blog commentaries I've read were highly critical of her and the CCLU's actions.

(It would be a great project for a student out there to track and measure coverage of the issue, analyzing the global opinions on the topic)

Censorship-Free Libraries on US v. ALA

2009-07-30T19:49:00.001-07:00

Both Dan Kleinman and Ginny Maziarka frequently attempt to justify the acceptability of censorship in libraries by quoting from the Supreme Court ruling from the 2003 case United States v. American Library Association.

I've been meaning to write a post showing the fallacy of relying on this decision to support their cause. The decision is vary narrowly focused (as all Supreme Court rulings are) on the constitutionality of Congress requiring public schools and libraries receiving E-Rate discounts to install web filtering software as a condition of receiving federal funding.

Yes, Justice Kennedy's separate but concurring opinion states "The interest in protecting young library users from material inappropriate for minors is legitimate, and even compelling, as all Members of the Court appear to agree." But that is just a comment, and not part of the legal issue in question. Whether there is an interest in protecting kids from Internet porn wasn't the issue; the issue was whether Congress could force filters as a condition of funding.

Each statement within a ruling is not precedent; this statement is not precedent and does not have the force of law.

For more on this, see today's post on Censorship-Free Libraries. Thankfully s/he took the time for a more lengthy discussion on the inappropriate reliance on this ruling by Ginny & Co.

UPDATE: Censorship-Free Libraries has more superb analysis of the (non)applicability of US v. ALA to the West Bend library controversy here.

Ginny's Timeline of "Oppression" and "Covert Involvement" of Evil Outsiders

2009-07-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

Readers here know I've been collecting resources to help make sense of this library mess (see here and here).

According to her new website, it appears Ginny Maziarka is creating a timeline of her own. This page makes the following announcement (emphasis added):

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

A current timeline of events from February 1, 2009 to present will be available soon.

This TIMELINE will confirm the covert involvement of national organizations to oppress small communities, undermining community standards and pushing the liberal agenda of the American Library Association.

Open Records Requests will be available at the above website hosting the timeline.

For those still catching up, Ginny has long criticized people from outside West Bend for improperly (in her view) involving themselves in this library controversy. When the UW-Milwaukee School of Information Studies (the only local school for librarians) issued a statement of support, Ginny derided them (channeling Dan Kleinman). When the ALA's Deborah Caldwell-Stone made an appearance to support the library, Ginny was quick to criticize her presence.

Ginny's recent ORR request seems to be an attempt to show (GASP) that the librarians and library board members consulted with the ALA and other professionals more versed in dealing with complicated and controversial challenges. This timeline, apparently, will reveal these communications. Only Ginny would view these consultations as "covert" and "oppressive", as opposed to people simply looking for guidance when confronted with unique circumstances.

Two additional notes:

One, while Ginny seems to think that this issue should only be dealt with locally, and without any outside influence, she welcomes the involvement of Dan Kleinman, the headmaster of the New Jersey-based SafeLibraries organization, as well as Mark Belling, also not a citizen of West Bend. I've grown tired of pointing out Ginny's hypocrisies, but here you go...

Two, an anonymous source requested access to Ginny's timeline (the project page is here), and received an e-mail from both Ginny Maziarka & Dan Kleinman (again, an outsider in New Jersey is intimately involved in Ginny's crusade). Interestingly, Kleinman characterized the purpose of the timeline as such (excerpted from an email to that person; emphasis added):

We believe an accurate presentment of the facts is the best way to present the facts. Therefore, a partially completely time line is not appropriate for public release.

We intend it to present just the facts, leaving any possible argument to be decided in other fora, such as personal blogs, etc. We intend that the edits made are relevant to the facts and are not filled with personal diatribe. We will also disclose all editors names and affiliations -- anonymous or pseudonymous editors will not be accepted.

We intend to let anyone edit it, so long as vandalism and self-promotion is not involved. In other words, we intend to allow people from all sides edit it.

We are certain that no similar time line has even been produced in any other public library matter and that our time line will be heavily used by the general public and by academic institutions, relatively speaking. It will definitely be used by issue participants to make arguments one way or another.

Thanks again for your interest. We will try to open it to public view as soon as possible. So I will make an effort to email you again when the time line is publicly available, and if you wish to edit it as well, please let us know. If you have any exhibits or other information to submit, please let us know as well.

That actually sounds like it might be a reasoned, unbiased approach. Contrast this explanation with Ginny's rhetoric of "confirm the covert involvement of national organizations to oppress small communities, undermining community standards and pushing the liberal agenda of the American Library Association".

Which will it be? I'm holding my breath in anticipation....

More Resources about the Library Controversy (at the Library!)

2009-07-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

To help keep abreast (ahem) of the library controversy, the West Bend Memorial Library created a couple of helpful webpages:

Resources page that includes links to related professional and civil liberties organizations, related websites and blogs (of all perspectives), and video clips from the June 2nd, 2009 Library Board Meeting.
Publications page that provides PDFs and links to nearly every mention of the controversy (be they articles, opeds, or letters) in both local & national papers and news channels.

Thank you, library, for providing access to information without prejudice.

(You can see my earlier post with additional links here)

It's Perfectly Normal

2009-07-28T14:24:00.001-07:00

Please go visit Censorship-Free Libraries discussion of one of the books at the center of the West Bend Library controversy, It's Perfectly Normal:

I suspect that many (I didn't say all) involved in the library debate simply haven't taken a close look at the challenged materials. For that reason, I'll include a few book reviews in this blog.

I'll start with It's Perfectly Normal because it's one of the toughest to deal with: there is actually some substance, however little, to the debate about this one. It's also different from many of the other books objected to by the CCLU, WBC4SL, Ginny Maziarka, etc. Unlike most of the others, this is non-fiction. And, since it is heavily illustrated, the evaluation of its alleged obscenity is somewhat different than for literature.

You can read the rest of the reasoned review here.

BlogSlut

2009-07-27T10:10:00.000-07:00

I appears that Ginny Maziarka saw a few too many people in skimpy bikinis during her recent trip to Florida, cuz she's returned to West Bend with a big case of prudism.

Today's target? The fact that the West Bend Library's webpage for adult readers includes a link to the popular BookSlut review site.

Ginny first attacks the site's logo for depicting **GASP** "a naked women lying on top of a book. You get the idea." Look at the logo, folks. It is a simple, tasteful, and non-explicit line drawing. It is attractive, pleasant, and not at all controversial. You get the idea.

Then, Ginny seems to take issue with the fact that BookSlut's creator, Jessa Crispin, doesn't have a publishing background, that she made the site during down time at her (apparently boring) job, and that she pays reviewers with books. Shameful, I know.

Perhaps Ginny is just taken aback by any mention of the word "slut". Whatevs. I think I'll donate a copy of The Ethical Slut to the WB Library in Ginny's name, and perhaps we can work on that prudish sensitivity of hers.

(more good commentary at the Censorship-Free Libraries blog)

// Oh, BTW, Ginny is still at it with her misleading tagging of posts. For some reason only known and understandable within the depths of her cranium, Ginny singled out UW-Milwaukee's School of Information Studies regarding the existence of this weblink, and tagged her post accordingly.

And last week, her 6-month late post about an FBI indictment against a WB man on child porn charges, which had nothing whatsoever to do with a library, was egregiously mis-tagged with "ALA", "AmericanLibraryAssociation" and "WestBendLibrary"

Keep it up, grrl!

Welcome, Censorship-Free Libraries Blog (and Goodbye Ginny?)

2009-07-26T10:38:00.001-07:00

I'd like to welcome the excellent Censorship-Free Libraries blog to the online discourse regarding the West Bend Library fiasco. The blog is very intelligently-written, and a welcome addition to the blogosphere. I have no idea who is behind it, but I hope s/he keeps it up!

On a side note, it seems Ginny Maziarka might be growing weary of her leadership role in pressuring the library to abide by ~~community~~ her standards regarding appropriate books to shelve within their walls. Various people who support her ideas have asked her (via blog comments) to please find someone else who can more intelligently (ie, with correct grammar, netiquitte, and a familiarity with rational discourse) be the mouthpiece for their movement.

Ginny seems to agree, commenting here that "I wish someone else more skilled than myself would take this over, too." Any takers?

Ginny Maziarka Shoots Herself in the Foot

2009-07-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

Professor Mark Peterson has an op-ed in the Daily News, providing some sarcasm and irony to the current state of the library fiasco. Peterson suggests that there's another book that Ginny Maziarka and her comrades need to banish, a book described by Peterson as "arguably, the single greatest cause of spiritual distress and physical bloodshed in Western histor": the New and Old Testaments of the Christian Bible.

Ginny, being a good Christian, doesn't take kindly to someone bad-mouthing her Bible. So, she highlights a couple of phrases from Peterson's commentary, and proceeds to call him a liar. Problem is, the things he said are true, and we have Ginny's own words to prove it.

Let's take a look at two instances in Ginny's post:

1:

Peterson says: "Let’s recap: a local group of fundamentalist Christians asks that a number of books be removed from the library’s shelves on completely unconstitutional grounds."

Ginny replies (all caps red, of course): "LIE. NO BOOKS WERE ASKED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE LIBRARY SHELVES."

But Peterson is correct that this all started with Ginny's request to have books removed from the library altogether. She outlines her group's initial demands in this blog post, noting that " We further asked for the removal of any book in the youth section of our library, i.e., children’s, young adult/YA Zone, that contains perverse and pornographic language" (her emphasis).

Ginny repeats her call for banning books here: " We also told him that we are requesting a "ban" on the The Perks of a Wallflower book." (her emphasis). And if you can sit through this video, at minute 23:38 Ginny repeats her desire to have books removed as the first solution, if only it weren't for the pesky ALA (emphasis mine):

And, again, personally, if [the books] could be moved, I'd be great with that. But, the American Library Association has a lot more power than you or me. And since that's not really going to be a possible option, I guess then this [reclassification] is what we're going to have to ask.

So, Peterson is right to characterize the starting point of this entire episode with a request to have books removed from library shelves. To you, Ginny, I say: LIE.

2:

Peterson points out a connection between Ginny and Julaine Appling: "Julaine Appling, whose Wisconsin Family Council seminars provided the Maziarkas with the organizing skills..."

Ginny replies, with her typical detailed commentary: "OUTRIGHT LIE."

But Ginny did take training seminars sponsored by the Wisconsin Family Council and with the American Majority, and offshoot of the Sam Adams Alliance, who is dedicated to "training, inspiring, and empowering people to utilize new media tools (blogging, twitter, wikis) to advance economic freedom and individual liberty.". She blogged about it here, and even tweeted her excitement about the training sessions here and here.

So, again, Peterson appears correct in noting that Ginny benefited from training seminars hosted by WFC. Your denial, Ginny, is an OUTRIGHT LIE.

CNN

2009-07-22T12:42:00.000-07:00

At first, Ginny Maziarka's crusade was local. Then it hit the blogosphere, including Gawker. Now, a few weeks after appearing at ABC News.com, we have coverage by CNN.com.

The story does a pretty good job covering all the twists and turns, and concludes with Ginny's famous "it's common sense " logical fallacy.

I'm still waiting for the Letterman joke, or a skit on SNL....

//update -- Seems the CNN story has created a flurry of activity at WISSUP, and many of the comments are less-than-friendly regarding Ginny's intelligence and appearance.

While Ginny has done her own share of insult-throwing in the past, and I, like many of the commenters, find Ginny grossly ignorant of many fundamental issues at stake, I don't feel calling her "fat" or a "miserable old cow", is helpful discourse....

"Get Out of My Business"

2009-07-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

This odd post by Ginny Maziarka, fearful of the U.S. Census Bureau knowing if she has indoor plumbing, reminded me of this video, and the subsequent remixes.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming....

Speaking of Talking Trash...

2009-07-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

Ginny Maziarka is at it again.

Remember her various personal attacks and ad hominems? She struck gold again today.

Lately, we've witnessed a variety of rants about the fact that local librarians and related personnel have the audacity to attend the national ALA meeting to discuss the book challenges that have rocked the 'brary.

After reading today's newspaper article about an ALA panel discussion about the local controversy, Ginny posted an implication that "trash talking" occurred at the event in a manner disparaging of West Bend. Based on the article, the only criticisms levied appeared to be against the media and the blogs for their skewed/incorrect coverage of the controversy. While the librarians noted their frustration over the entire episode, there was no "trash talking" about specific people, the community, or anyone.

Maybe Ginny has a different concept of what "trash talking" is, but it seems the opening line of her very post provides us the best example. While referring to Maria Hanrahan's counter-movement, the West Bend Parents For Free Speech, Ginny makes this disparaging remark:
In a prior blog comment, Maria Hanrahan (WBPFFS), West Bend Parents for Free Sex, um, I mean Free Speech (ooops, sorry 'bout that) stated about the ALA Conference
Talk about trashy...

In Most Area Libraries, these are Young Adult Books

2009-07-13T19:59:00.000-07:00

Ginny Maziarka & Co insist that numerous books in West Bend Library's young adult section are "sexually explicit" and should be labeled as such and moved to the adult section, purportedly to reflect "community standards".

I decided to take three of the books Ginny highlights and see how other area libraries catalog them. Here are the results:


.		The Perks of Being a Wallflower	The Geography Club	Deal With It!
.	Beaver Dam			Non-fiction
.	Big Bend	Fiction	Young Adult
.	Brookfield	Fiction
.	Brownsville	Young Adult
.	Cudahy	Young Adult	Young Adult
.	Delafield	Teen Fiction	Teen Fiction
.	Eagle	Young Adult
.	Elkhorn	Young Adult
.	Fontana	Young Adult
.	Fort Atkinson		Young Adult
.	Franklin	Young Adult	Young Adult	Young Adult
.	Germantown	Young Adult
.	Greenfield	Young Adult	Young Adult	Young Adult
.	Hartford	Young Adult	Young Adult
.	Hartland	Young Adult		Non-fiction
.	Horicon	Young Adult	Young Adult
.	Hustisford			Non-fiction
.	Jefferson			Non-fiction
.	Kenosha	Young Adult	Young Adult	Adult
.	Kewaskum	Young Adult
.	Lake Geneva	Young Adult	Young Adult
.	Lake Mills		Young Adult
.	Lomira	Young Adult
.	Merton	Young Adult
.	MPL Atkinson	Young Adult
.	MPL Bay View	Young Adult	Young Adult
.	MPL Brown Deer	Young Adult	Young Adult
.	MPL Capitol		Young Adult	Young Adult
.	MPL Center		Young Adult
.	MPL Central	Young Adult	Young Adult
.	MPL East	Young Adult
.	MPL Forest Home	Young Adult
.	MPL Hales Corners	Young Adult	Young Adult
.	MPL Villard		Young Adult
.	MPL Washington Park			Young Adult
.	Mukwonago	Young Adult	Young Adult	Young Adult
.	Muskego		Young Adult
.	Northshore		Young Adult
.	Oak Creek		Young Adult	Adult (call no indicates "YA")
.	Oconomowoc	Young Adult	Young Adult
.	Pewaukee	Young Adult	Young Adult
.	Racine	Fiction	Fiction
.	Shorewood		Young Adult	Young Adult
.	Sussex	Young Adult	Young Adult	Young Adult
.	Theresa	Juvenile
.	Twin Lakes		Young Adult	Young Adult
.	Waterford	Young Adult		Non-fiction
.	Watertown		Young Adult
.	Waukesha	Fiction	Young Adult
.	Wauwatosa		Adult
.	West Bend	Young Adult	Young Adult	Young Adult
.	Whitefish Bay			Young Adult
.	Whitewater	Young Adult

As you can see, nearly every area library that holds these books places them in the young adult section, reflecting what appears to be standard classification practices for southeast Wisconsin libraries.

(Acknowledging that Deal With It! seems to be the one text that is also frequently placed in the regular non-fiction sections)

Are West Bend's "community standards" really that different than nearly every other southeastern Wisconsin community? Or, perhaps, must we realize that Ginny's opinions don't necessarily reflect the entire community?

Patriotism WBCFSL Style: Celebrating Censorship & British Literature on 4th of July Float

2009-07-12T19:33:00.000-07:00

Ginny's WBCFSL group entered a float into West Bend's 4th of July parade. Images are available here and here.

I've been struggling, however, with figuring out how a float pushing a minority group's opinion about how to manage the shelves at the public library fit in a parade that is meant to celebrate patriotism and freedom. Even the parade's guidelines make clear what is expected of participants:

The Fourth of July Family Parade is a community celebration of our nation’s independence. Please keep the tone and attitude of your participation positive, upbeat, celebratory and show your patriotism!

I guess the fact that the Preamble of the Constitution was recited, and that the float was red, white, and blue helps meet these expectations, but generally I remain befuddled about how pushing an agenda that is focused on forcing the removal of certain books from some of the library's shelves -- and replacing library board members who hesitate to do so -- is meant to be "positive, upbeat, celebratory" or otherwise worthy of a float in a parade.

Further, consider the books celebrated by the float and its participants:

Each, save the last one, are notable books from British authors -- hardly appropriate for a parade meant to celebrate Amercia's independence from the Brits.

And it's no surprise that these books tend to celebrate Christian, Puritan or related themes. Sure wouldn't want anything salacious on the float (we'll ignore Louisa May Alcott's other notable book, the passionate gothic novel, A Long Fatal Love Chase).

Happy 4th!

GASP Local Librarians to Attend Librarian Conference!!!

2009-07-04T07:58:00.000-07:00

Some people will complain about anything they can get their dirty hands onto.

The Daily News reports that some of our librarians, members of the West Bend board, and citizen advocates will be attending the annual conference of the American Library Association in Chicago next week.

For shame! Going to a professional conference related to one's profession to discuss one's professional duties.

They will be talking about their experiences with the WISSUP and CCLU nonsense, and even will have (hold your breath) PowerPoint slides as visual aids!

How dare they use 45 minutes of taxpayer dollars to make a PowerPoint presentation to discuss the hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars that have been spent dealing with these complaints.

I honestly don't know how these librarians can sleep at night....

// UPDATE -- Ginny asked to be invited to the panel discussion, but was refused since "The panel is not a debate on the merits of West Bend Citizens for Safe Libraries' challenge, or an opportunity for advocacy, but instead a discussion about policy development and management of challenges."

That is reasonable, although I agree with others who feel that Maria Hanrahan's presence on the panel makes little sense in this context either.

Trying to Make Sense of the Evolution of the West Bend Library Fiasco

2009-06-30T13:17:00.000-07:00

Are you finding it hard to keep track of everything that's been going down with regard to the West Bend Library controversy? Me too. Here are some helpful links:

Maria Hanrahan has a nice timeline of Ginny Maziarka's library complaints (but it ends on April 11).
We have a post highlighting some of Ginny's confusing/contradictory commentary, especially her repeated claim that this isn't about the gays...
Michael Zimmer, a professor at UWM, has a detailed summary of the events, along with related news coverage.
And Kristina Smithers took the time to review a number of Ginny's interviews to highlight the number of times she's called for removing books, reclassification, etc.
New entry: check out the library's pages on the controversy here.

It's 1:00pm. Do You Know Where Your Book Burners Are?

2009-06-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

Damn.

It is currently 1:09pm, and I'm missing the CCLU's prayer vigil over at city hall.

It must be my fault, since the insanely media savvy Christian Civil Liberties Union (are they getting a website anytime soon?) faxed a notice about the vigil to the Daily News this morning. I mean, we all know that the best way to promote an event is to fax a notice to the local newspaper mere hours before it happens.

I bet they have over 1,100 people there right now.

All is not lost, since the CCLU's fax also teases us with a later event where they plan to burn "the Baby Be-Bop book." Sweet. I hope I get on their fax machine rolodex, cuz I have a bottle of lighter fluid and a copy of the JC Penny catalog ready to burn (those pages selling maternity bras are morally reprehensible, BTW).

The ominous fax also mention a forthcoming federal lawsuit, which should be a gem.

[PS: You'll love the Street View image of the CCLU's address: 2634 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, WI 53205.]

More National Media Attention

2009-06-19T10:36:00.000-07:00

First it was local. Then it hit the blogs. Now, we've gone national!

ABC News has a story on the CCLU book burners and Ginny's related crusade. I love the opening lines:

There are 174,000 books in the West Bend Community Memorial Library, but Robert Braun, 74, of West Allis, Wis., just wants to burn one -- "Baby Be-Bop," by Francesca Lia Block.
"We will have demonstrations if they don't remove it," he said. "It has to be out of the library. If that doesn't happen, I will be out there burning."

Maybe Letterman will joke about us next....

Again with the deception and subterfuge, Ginny?

2009-06-19T06:49:00.000-07:00

Ginny Maziarka is at it again, using heated and exaggerated rhetoric to try to rile up a controversy, and then quietly retreating with the [delete] key when caught.

This morning she posts her reflections on this Boots & Sabers post about the library board seeking an outside legal opinion. Her title is "Mayoral recall suggested over (mis)handling of City Council/Library Board", and her original leading sentence is "Seems the gang over at Boots and Sabers is on board for a mayoral recall" (emphasis added).

Problem is, no one over at B&S has called for a recall, not Owen (comment #10), not a "gang".

So, Ginny was called out on that by Maria Hanrahan (comment #8), and, in typical fashion, Ginny changed her text to indicate (still incorrectly) that "some" are calling for a mayoral recall, not a "gang."

Here you can see the original wording captured in Google's snippet from a search result:

And here again when the original post was reblogged at RightyBlogs:

Ginny, you really should place a note in your blog posts when you make substantive changes to them, especially in response to public criticism. You can't hide from Google's cache, and your actions are deceptive and undermine your credibility.

WB Library Board Wants its own Attorney?

2009-06-18T07:26:00.000-07:00

The West Bend Library Board has scheduled an emergency meeting tonight, apparently to discuss hiring their own attorney to represent them, instead of the city attorney.

This is a bad, bad, bad idea.

Boots and Sabers has posted a response letter from the current city attorney, Mary Schanning, pointing out the numerous problems with this idea, not the least of which that the library is, in fact, a city agency that must be represented by the city attorney in any legal matters. She also points out that there's no avoiding the state's open records laws, which appears to be a motivating factor is seeking different representation.

Perhaps the board just wants to get a second opinion on some of Schanning's legal advice? That might be reasonable, depending on how much it would cost. But if they're truly looking to replace Schanning, that's a bad idea.

The open records laws exist for a reason, and the library board must respect them. And until Wisconsin passes a law allowing libraries to become indpendent entities, they must accept representation from the local city attorneys.

And while we're at it: why hasn't the library board posted any minutes from their meetings since January 6? C'mon, folks....

// Tonight, the board voted to enlist the services of Robert Feind, esq. Guess we'll see where this leads....

Citizens of West Bend, Meet Gawker!

2009-06-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

The immensely popular (and snarky) blog, Gawker, has a post today on the WB library kerfuffle, focusing on this blog's battles with Ginny in a post titled: Small-Town Wisconsin Has Its Own Blog Wars, Thank You Very Much.

Wow.

And I'll try to take Gawker's advice to ease up on "obsessively reblogging crazy Ginny".

New WB Library Board is Less Qualified

2009-06-16T07:22:00.000-07:00

Last night the West Bend City Council voted in 4 new, and largely inexperienced, library board members, thus continuing their irresponsible oversight of this important community institution.

Rather than having a retired University of Wisconsin-Washington County librarian and a 24-year member of the city Library Board, an attorney who served for two decades, or a retired middle school and high school reading and language arts teacher on the board, West Bend will now be served by a collection of citizens that, as Alderman Schlotfeldt puts it, have "a more diverse background" and lack degrees in education.

Is the absence of a degree in education supposed to be seen as a positive?

Included in the new batch are Jim Fowler, who works in health care and apparently is Roman Catholic (not sure how Ginny will feel about that!). Also joining the board is Judy Schaar, who works at St. Joseph's Hospital (as does Ginny!).

Alderman Richard Lindbeck agreed to replace Alderman Nick Dobberstein as the city council's representative. Hopefully Lindbeck will spend more of his time actually in West Bend so he doesn't have to abstain from controversial votes like in the past.

A couple of the alderman complained that the candidates weren't present for questioning or that they didn't have any background materials. That's a reasonable complaint, but lack of personal contact that didn't stop them from refusing to reappoint the sitting members. The council didn't ask for the outgoing board members to come in and explain their actions. They just declared that the board members' "ideology" wasn't in line with the community. How they came to that conclusion without actually talking with the board members remains a mystery. It if is so important to talk with the nominees prior to appointment, they simply should have delayed the vote until that could happen.

End result? West Bend has a new library board with less experience and qualifications. All good people, I'm sure, but it is hard to see how the community will be better served with this change. Time will tell..........

// Folks leaving comments seem to agree that the new members are solid people that should do a good job on the library board. Good to hear.....

WTF?

2009-06-14T20:18:00.000-07:00

The World is Laughing at West Bend...Thanks, Ginny

2009-06-09T07:40:00.000-07:00

Remember that ridiculous lawsuit by the so-called "Christian Civil Liberties Union" against the the city of West Bend, Mayor Kristine Deiss, the West Bend Library Board and Library Director Michael Tyree? Remember how they argue (without likely ever actually driving to West Bend and reading the book) that the young adult book Baby Be-Bop includes words that "are derogatory and slanderous to all males, and dangerously offensive and disrespectful to all people" and that "can permeate violence, and puts one's life in possible jeopardy, adults and children alike"? Remember how they are demanding the destruction of the book, the resignation of the mayor, and $30,000 for each of the 4 plaintiffs?

Well, seems this is getting more attention, and not the kind West Bend wants. Recently the story was picked up by the very popular and influential blogs Talking Points Memo and Daily Kos, not to mention the Times Online and the Drudge Retort, and the West Bend community is not cast in a very positive light.

Thanks, Ginny Maziarka.

// This incident has now crossed the big pond: The online site for the major British newspaper, The Guardian, has a story about the CCLU's vendetta against West Bend's copy of Baby Be-Bop. Cheerio!

2009-06-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

Within a day of being lambasted for appropriating other people's online content and failing to adequately indicate the original source/author, Ginny has slapped a copyright notice on her own blog (one at the very top, and one at the bottom of the left column).

Good thing she's now learned the importance of protecting her own intellectual property rights; hopefully she's also learned a lesson about giving proper attribution when she cuts & pastes from others' copyright protected material (see another past offense here).

(And, BTW, you don't need to put those notices on your site to gain copyright protections; they are automatic once you put your thoughts into material form.)

I hope Ginny has a good lawyer

2009-06-07T22:05:00.000-07:00

The way Ginny Maziarka keeps shooting her mouth off, I hope she has a good lawyer.

I also hope she knows the meaning of defamation, especially the particular part of U.S. defamation law of defamation per se, where damages are presumed and do not have to be proven. In my estimation, Ginny has made numerous accusations that fall under "Allegations or imputations injurious to another in their trade, business, or profession" as well as "Allegations or imputations of moral turpitude".

Think back to when Ginny defamed Professor Mark Peterson, describing him as having a vendetta and "scrafic[ing] the innocent minds of children to further his own agenda."

Just a few days ago Ginny defamed Kristina Smithers, calling her "maniacal", suggesting she has escaped her "caretakers", and making other allusions to mental illness. [[ Update: Ginny again suggested Kristina needs medication in comment #22 here]]

Then, today, Ginny defames Paul & Hjordy Wagner, the authors of Ready or Not...They're Gay: Stories from a Midwestern Family, a book they wrote about raising two gay sons. Ginny accuses these parents of being little more than "pawns" in some larger conspiracy to "deceive the West Bend citizens." She also labels them as being gay ("Gay Authors..."), when they're not; they just happen to be parents of gay kids.

In each case, people's reputations are being defamed in such a way as to affect their trade, business, or profession (could the university retaliate against the professor? might Ms. Smithers' employer react to notions of her being maniacal? could the Wagner's lose future publishing contracts due to being cast in this light?)

Ginny, please think next time before you click the "Publish Post" button.

// I think we could also add the following to Ginny's legal worries:

the privacy tort of "false light", seeing how she posted online what appears to be a private communication from Bob Deters, suggesting he "disagrees with organizations that help to protect children" (an accusation I don't see supported by the communication she posted)
various examples of copyright violations, as described here and here

If Ginny Would Only Follow her Own Logic

2009-06-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

Here, Ginny Maziarka complains about how Fireside Books has invited a couple who wrote a book about raising gay sons to come and speak at their store. There are a variety of problems with Ginny's post (shocking, I know), and much is discussed in the comment thread there.

Most notably, Ginny cut/pasted the announcement from another website, and included the tagline "POSTED BY gsaxpres" within her post. This gave the impression that gsaxpres actually wrote and posted that entry on Ginny's blog. Of course, she didn't.

So, during the discussion of this faux pas on Ginny's blog, Ginny took exception to the fact she should try to follow general blog netiquette, stating (emphasis added):

Blog etiquette is not mandatory. I choose to have the freedom to write my blog as I like, despite your dismay over my choice of style. I enjoy writing as I please and am not bound by any particular lines that others may draw.

I tend to agree with Ginny that one shouldn't be "bound by any particular lines that others may draw."

I just wish Ginny would apply that same logic when she attempts to bind the West Bend Library by the lines she draws.

(And by the way, Ginny has completely ignored my other requests for clarification in her blog post, such as how Fireside's invitation to these authors is an attempt to "deceive the West Bend citizens". Whatever.)

Do you want 3% of the population setting "community standards"?

2009-06-06T20:05:00.000-07:00

Ginny Maziarka keeps going on about how the library isn't listening to "community standards." How do we know if Ginny is accurately representing the standards of West Bend?

Well, she brags here (comment #21) that she's turned in over 1,100 signatories to her petition. That sounds impressive, but let's do the math.

First, we must recognize that Ginny's petition was knowingly targeted to people outside the city of West Bend. But, for the sake of argument, let's assume she's already scrubbed those signatories from the list of names she submitted to the library board.

So, that's 1,100 people, out of a 2008 city population of 30,320. That comes to 3.6%.

Hmm......Ginny convinced 3.6% of the city to sign her petition. That means she must be accurately representing the "community standards", right?

XXX-Rated Library?

2009-06-04T21:10:00.000-07:00

This is just ridiculous.

And hilarious.

And terrifiying.

West Bend Library Board Unanimously Rejects Censorship Attempts

2009-06-02T20:33:00.000-07:00

Logic & reason prevailed:

The Library Board on Tuesday night unanimously rejected efforts by a local citizen group to restrict access of young adults to books depicting sex among teenagers or those describing teenage homosexual relationships.
Such books already are separated from children's books, either in a young adult fiction section on the first floor of the library or shelved as young adult non-fiction alongside similar adult texts on the second floor, board members said.

The nine-member board listened for 2½ hours as nearly 60 people discussed the appropriateness of the library providing such books to the public before the board voted to maintain current policies. (JSOnline)

Ginnny's position is amusing:

On Tuesday, Ginny Maziarka told the board that if they rejected her petition that she would not consider the library a safe place for children.

But look here:
Ginny seems to have a copy of Deal With It ....gasp.... right in her own kitchen!

Does that mean her own home is also not "a safe place for children"? I mean, if the entire library is unsafe for children just because that book is shelved in the "young adult" section, then I'm surely not going to allow my kids near Ginny's house. No ma'am.

(Note: No children were harmed in the making of this blog post)

// Go check out Emma-le's excellent summary of the night's proceedings.

If You Don't Agree with Ginny Maziarka, You Must Be Crazy

2009-06-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

Ad hominem alert!

West Bend resident Kristina Smithers recently filed an ethics complaint against Alderman Terry Vrana over comments he made regarding the current library dispute. Much like myself, she appears to take issue with some of Vrana's comments at recent council meetings. According to the media report:

Smithers alleges statements Vrana made during an April 21 Common Council meeting during debate over the reappointment of four Library Board members demonstrated unethical behavior because: He did not act in an independent, impartial manner; His “conduct did not reenforce the public’s confidence in the integrity of the city government;” “(H)e used his aldermanic position to purport his personal philosophy not that of the city as a whole.” Vrana had expressed an opinion that pornographic books were in the library’s young adult section.

Whether you agree with Smithers or Vrana, her complaint seems to be based on a reasonable premise, and the Ethics Committee is determining if it merits further consideration. They might throw it out as frivolous, or they might investigate further. That's how the process works, and it is every citizen's right to raise what they feel are potential ethical concerns.

Ginny Maziarka has a different take on this. Ginny, of course, doesn't agree with Smithers. But instead of addressing the core issue in Smithers' complaint, Maziarka argues we "should be looking at the complainant."

In her comments at Boots & Sabers, Ginny wonders aloud about Smithers: "Does she have a caretaker? And do they know she is loose?" And in her own blog post she accuses Smithers of being "maniacal" and links to this music video that depicts mental illness in a very mocking and insensitive manner.

So, let's sum up: mere days after many members of the community reached out to Ginny with condolences about the loss of her grandson, Ginny attacks someone who disagrees with her by insinuating she is mentally ill.

Remind me where in my Christian Bible it tells us this is ok?

// While I wasn't able to convince Ginny on her blog that her ad hominem attacks against Kristina Smithers were out of line, a response by Kristina herself here (comment #24) seems to finally struck a chord with Ginny. She apologized in comment #25 (insulting me in the process), and deleted the offensive post.

Luckily, I've learned my lesson with Ginny trying to cover her trails, and took a screenshot or her libelous rant:

Read-In at West Bend Community Memorial Library

2009-05-20T10:27:00.000-07:00

A Read-In is planned at the West Bend Library on Friday, May 29, 2009 from 3:30pm-8:30pm. Details from the Facebook event page:

Come join us in supporting the library, the library board members who were forced from the board, and banned books in general. On May 29th at 3 o'clock we will be meeting on the corner of Oak and 5th Ave, (Badger Middle School) and will be leaving at 3 sharp to walk peacefully down 5th Ave to Poplar where we will enter to library. Once in the library we will check out books on the so-called "banned books" list. We will then precede to sit in the library and read said books. At 6 o'clock the library closes, at which time you are encouraged to check out the book you have been reading (if you haven't finished it already. Afterwards plans are loosely set but the hope is to walk or bike or drive to Regner Park to participate in a pot-luck style dinner and book conversation concluding around 8:30. Tell all your friends and bring your favorite book.

Additional details at Opening Books Opening Minds blog.

City Council Members Fail to Serve the Community

2009-05-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

Last night the city council voted against rescinding their earlier removal of 4 library board members.

While I think that is a boneheaded move, what really bothers me is the utter failure of some council members to properly represent and serve the community. Last night's (in)action reveals and utter lack of personal responsibility or transparency in some members' representation of the citizens of West Bend.

First, Alderman Richard Lindbeck abstained from the reconsideration, citing "being out of town the last month" and for "personal reasons." WTF? If he was out of town the whole month, what is he doing sitting on the Common Council in the first place? Did he abstain from every vote taken last night? Nope. Just this one. What does being out of town have to do with anything? Does he not have e-mail? Can he not read news online? This makes no sense.

And what are these "personal reasons" that would suddenly compel someone to not confirm/rescind a vote that he felt perfectly fine casting a month ago? Citizens in his district should demand an explanation for his silence (no matter which way he would have voted).

Second, Alderman Michael Schlofeldt changed his vote from originally supporting the reappointment of the board members, to voting against the rescind consideration. His reason? Well, apparently this alderman doesn't think his votes need to be publicly discussed: "Schlofeldt offered no public comment to the audience members for changing his mind, except to say that he phoned Dobberstein with his decision and didn’t want to discuss the conversation publicly."

The citizens of West Bend deserve better than to have Council Members first cite "ideology" for removing library board members, and then make sophomoric excuses and end-arounds to avoid going on record with their thoughts & decisions on this matter.

The city's Code of Ethics states (1.66):

Public officials and employees are agents of public purpose and hold office for the benefit of the public. They are bound to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State and carry out impartially the laws of the nation, State and the City and to observe in their official acts the highest standards of morality and to discharge faithfully the duties of their office regardless of personal considerations, recognizing that the public interest must be their prime concern. Their conduct in both their official and private affairs should be above reproach so as to foster respect for all government.

Regardless of what you think of last night's outcome, the Common Council failed in this responsibility to the community.

V is for Vendetta - Ginny Maziarka's crusade

2009-05-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

[A parody of this]

West Bend has it's own illogical thinker... and she is given a small corner of the blogosphere to wring her hands over the beautiful city we live in.

Ginny Maziarka's blog is filled, everyday, with the same stale rant of her distaste for those who oppose her viewpoint. Since WISSUP does not suffice, she takes advantage of Crosstalk America and Safelibraries to take a hatchet to the very community that she claims to care about.

And I am sad to say that my own Internet gives one iota of space to someone who so vehemently would sacrifice the innocent minds of children to further her own agenda.

// It seems Ginny finally understood that she was sowing her "stale rant of distaste" with her original blog post attacking Peterson. She's now revised the post I was parodying above. Good thing I took a screenshot of the original, so everyone can see what she originally stated:

NetNanny Blocks WISSUP as Porn

2009-05-08T10:53:00.000-07:00

This is rich.

Motley Cow points us to The Other Side of My Mouth, who discovered that the Internet filtering software NetNanny is blocking access to Ginny Maziarka's blog WISSUP.

Seems all those tags about sexually explicit, sex, etc are coming back to haunt poor Ginny.

Ginny Maziarka: Tag Spammer

2009-05-07T22:29:00.000-07:00

Ginny Maziarka likes to write about a variety of things on her blog. Of course, we have her petition to ~~remove GLBTQ~~ "reclassify" "sexually explicit" books at West Bend Library, and related topics. But then she also shares things like "Loyalty Day" and the local production of "Our Town", as well as some kind of commentary about having kids sing in political ads, and even complaints about whether the President is holding a public prayer session in the White House.

Fine. Whatever.

But WTF with Ginny tagging each and every post on her blog (since April 23) with these tags: ala american library association west bend wisconsin maziarka tyree gay lesbian sexually explicit sex books office intellectual freedom safelibraries.

Whether the post is about her library vendetta, Prayer Day, Loyalty Day, or a local play, these are the tags she uses.

This, my friends, is called tag spam: using non-related keywords as tags for content to mislead and attract viewers. You see, every time Ginny tags a post with these words, it increases the chance someone will find her blog when they search for these terms.

This is probably a tactic she learned from during her training with the American Majority, and offshoot of the Sam Adams Alliance, who is dedicated to "training, inspiring, and empowering people to utilize new media tools (blogging, twitter, wikis) to advance economic freedom and individual liberty." (Of course, Ginny's version of individual liberty seems to include having a couple of Christians dictate what books are available to whom in the public library).

And for all the times Ginny likes to repeat that her agenda "is not about gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgenders at ALL!", just remember that she's wrapping each one of her blog posts in a "gay" and "lesbian" ribbon.

// Looks like Ginny is learning. Her latest post about some ACORN protest doesn't have any tags at all. Go figure.

Think of the Children!

2009-05-05T12:29:00.001-07:00

Ginny wants to start a "good old-fashioned conversation" by posting this video that tries to equate the use of singing children in Nazi and North Korean propaganda with their use in an Obama ad:

Not sure what kind of "conversation" she wants to have related to this drivel, but using kids in political ads or events is nothing new. Heck, even John McCain bussed in 4,000 kids to fill the seats at a campaign rally.

Whatever.

Ok, Ginny, here are my two responses for our "conversation":

Think of the Children (Gay Marriage now available in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont)

And, for good measure:

Ginny Maziarka: Proud Supporter of Gay Theater

2009-05-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

Who knew?

West Bend's own Ginny Maziarka, the good Christian behind the movement to ~~remove GLBTQ~~ "reclassify" "sexually explicit" books at West Bend Library is a supporter of gay theater.

You see, Ginny was kind enough to promote the coming production of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" by area home school kids. She's quite enthusiastic in her support of the play.

And, I'm sure Ginny knows that Thornton Wilder was gay. Yep, the playwright of one of America's most beloved plays, performed in nearly every high school, was homosexual. Really.

And Ginny's right, everyone should "take the family." It is a beautiful play written by a beautiful person.

I'm thrilled that Ginny is supporting gay arts in our community. I just hope that she puts as much energy into this support as she has into getting GLBTQ books out of the reach of young adults.

Ridiculous Lawsuit Demands Destruction of "Baby Be-Bop", $120K, Resignation of Mayor

2009-05-02T12:24:00.001-07:00

The Milwaukee branch of the Christian Civil Liberties Union has filed a legal claim against the the city of West Bend, Mayor Kristine Deiss, the West Bend Library Board and Library Director Michael Tyree, arguing that the young adult book Baby Be-Bop includes words that "are derogatory and slanderous to all males, and dangerously offensive and disrespectful to all people" and that "can permeate violence, and puts one's life in possible jeopardy, adults and children alike". The claim demands the destruction of the book, the resignation of the mayor, and $30,000 for each of the 4 plaintiffs.

I'll give you a moment to stop laughing and/or clean up that coffee you just sprayed out of your mouth...

Where do we start?

First off, who the hell is the Christian Civil Liberties Union? A Google search doesn't reveal much. The only relevant hit is a random business directory listing for a similarly named org based in Kansas. It is impressive that they've been able to expand to establish a "Milwaukee branch" without any Web presence whatsoever.

Now, who are the plaintiffs? Robert C. Braun of West Allis, Joseph Kogelmann of Milwaukee, Robert Brough of West Bend and the Rev. Cleveland Eden of Milwaukee. Hmmm....only one of them lives in the city of West Bend. The rest are all in Milwaukee County. Not sure what kind of standing they have to file such a claim, or why they are using the West Bend Library for their young adult reading in the first place, especially when the same book is available in the young adult collection of numerous branches of the Milwaueke Public Library. Wait a minute, didn't the article say each of the plaintiffs are "elderly". Yep. Huh, wonder why they're reading young adult fiction in the first place?

I mean, I'm sure they actually drove to West Bend and read it. Good Christians wouldn't be deceitful and just file a lawsuit claiming "their mental and emotional well-being were damaged by the book at the Library" if that weren't the case. Surely....

But what of the accusations against the book itself? Generally, they seem to be concerned about books that are "obscene or racial in content and promote violence." Hmm.... In particular to Baby Be-Bop, they describe the book as being “explicitly vulgar, racial (sic) and anti-Christian.” They continue to claim that "specific words used in the book are derogatory and slanderous to all males, and dangerously offensive and disrespectful to all people" and that the "words can permeate violence, and puts one's life in possible jeopardy, adults and children alike."

Words...damn WORDS! They always take the fun out of life. If we could only black out those "specific words" that are "slanderous to all males" (whatever the f**k that means), we could get on with our good Christian lives.

So, what remedies to these good Christians seek? An community reading group to try to gain a better understanding the book? An invitation to have the author come and discuss it? Convene a panel of young adult readers to tell us what they think about the book?

Nah. Says the plaintiffs: "we want it out or destroyed". With any luck, we'll be able to witness its burning in a pyre suitable for St. Joan of Arc.

And more than just destroying the offending words, they want the mayor to resign (because, as we all know, it is the mayor who decides what books are in the library). They also want a grand jury convened to investigate whether the book should be declared obscene (an excellent use of taxpayers money; glad 3 non-residents suggested it).

And to top it all off, about $30,000 per plaintiff will make all the "mental and emotional well-being [that] were damaged by the book" all better. I'm sure the good folks in West Bend will be happy to provide $120K to put their minds at ease.

This really is hilarious.

And, this really is frightening, as it shows how quickly we can tumble down the slippery slope of threats to intellectual freedom.

Ginny Maziarka Pretends She's Not Trying to Remove GLBTQ Material

2009-04-29T16:43:00.000-07:00

Ginny Maziarka has a very short-term memory.

In one of her classic rambling posts today, she makes this odd remark (emphasis original):

Screaming that protecting kids from sexually explicit material is a gay and lesbian issue, and abusing gays and lesbians to get these materials into the hands of kids is downright deceitful.

Huh? I got to be honest with you folks, I have no idea what Ginny's talking about with regard to "abusing gays and lesbians". I'll just set that part aside as the random utterances of someone who is grasping for straws to make some kind of odd point that makes perfect sense in her head, but sounds like gibberish to anyone else.

(And forgive poor Ginny for leaving off the BTQ each time she states "gay and lesbian"....I'm sure a little part of her soul dies each time she even thinks the word "lesbian", let alone type it out).

But that first part -- "screaming that protecting kids from sexually explicit material is a gay and lesbian issue" -- that's kind of interesting. Ginny seems to be upset that members of the GLBTQ community are expressing interest in this firestorm she's created in little ol' West Bend. She seems to think that its wrong to make her dispute with the library a "gay and lesbian issue".

Hmm....right.....well, you see folks, it was Ginny who made this a "gay and lesbian issue". Perhaps all this time in the blogosphere has dulled her memory, but luckily Maria Hanrahan has provided us a nice timeline of Ginny's beef with the library.

If you look at Maria's summary of the original 2/12/09 complaint, Ginny doesn't mention "sexually explicit material" at all, and instead focuses her wrath on "propaganda" that "Encourages and normalizes illegal behaviors.” What material is deserving of such disdain? Ginny's letter of complaint seems quite clear: any book that has homosexuality in it, essentially the entire "Out of the Closet" category of books at the WB library. According to Maria's timeline, Ginny also asks that the entire "Out of the Closet" webpage be removed from the library's website (or password-protected to prevent access without parental permission). She also suggest a list of “ex-gay” books for inclusion in the library’s collection.

You see folks? Ginny made this a "gay and lesbian" issue from the very start. And now that someone probably advised her to change her tune and focus on "sexually explicit material" instead, she's whining because the GLBTQ community isn't buying her bullshit.

// Oh, by the way, remember how Ginny keeps repeating she doesn't want any books actually "banned"? Check out the timeline, cuz she asked for precisely that here: " We also told him that we are requesting a "ban" on the The Perks of a Wallflower book." (her emphasis, not mine)

And if you can sit through this video, at minute 23:38 Ginny repeats her desire to have books removed as the first solution, if only it weren't for the pesky ALA:

And, again, personally, if [the books] could be moved, I'd be great with that. But, the American Library Association has a lot more power than you or me. And since that's not really going to be a possible option, I guess then this [reclassification] is what we're going to have to ask.

WISSUP's Blog Comment Censorship Policy

2009-04-29T08:39:00.000-07:00

There have been a number of complaints that Ginny Maziarka over at WISSUP has been heavily moderating the comments left at her blog, essentially silencing voices who disagree with her, and only letting through complementary ones.

Of course, that's her prerogative, but I decided to ask her about it. I sent an e-mail asking: "why are you censoring comments on your blog?"

The reply:

I moderate ALL comments to:
(1) prevent the automatic posting of spam;
(2) prevent the automatic posting of comments made only for the purpose of link dropping;
(3) prevent the automatic posting of pingbacks made only for the purpose of link dropping;
(4) prevent the automatic posting of troll comments containing personal attacks, obscenities and threats;
(5) prevent the automatic posting of phony comments generated by software made only for the purpose of link dropping;
(6) prevent the automatic posting of off topic comments.

My thinking on this is that in my home I am a hostess and likewise on my blog I am a hostess. I do not allow any comments to be posted on my blog that I would not approve of or tolerate in my home.

Now, this is perfectly reasonable. However, I question how this comment that Maria Hanrahan submitted -- but didn't make it through Ginny's filter -- falls under the above policy. There is no spam, no link dropping, no personal attacks, nothing off topic. It is a level-headed response to some of Ginny's statements and accusations.

Ginny: why did you block that comment?

Oh, and if you thought that Ginny's comment policy seemed a little too polished for an amateur blogger (c'mon, using ALL CAPS and red text in your blog posts for emphasis? really?), so did I. I googled it, and it turns out she just cut & pasted it from this forum discussion. No attribution to the original author, of course.

And I wonder if Ginny is familiar with that person's position on gay marriage, Obama, reproductive rights, etc. Perhaps Ginny should be more careful who she plagiarizes....

// A quick update - I replied to Ginny's e-mail (that stated her policy) by pointing to this blog post of my reaction. Her single-line reply to me: "Sorry. I don't waste my time on unimportant information that is not pertinent to the issues."

Wow.

A Lesson in Free Speech, Intolerance, and Libertarianism

2009-04-26T06:09:00.000-07:00

The extremists in West Bend had a petition drive at various local businesses this weekend. They say "intimidation tactics" were used to bully some establishments to pull out their agreement to host them. Kevin Scheunemann, the Libertarian Kewaskum Trustee and International Dairy Queen Drive-thru Champion, went so far as to say an "intolerant gay lobby" was involved.

Turns out it was just Maria Hanrahan, who called each business just to make sure they had actually agreed to host the petition drive. No threats were made, no intimidation, no bullying.

Surprise surprise: Ginny exaggerates.

But then the folks over at SafeLibraries stick their dirty noses into it, stating that a "pro gay lobby is violating the free speech rights" of Ginny and her crew.

WTF? Do these people even know what the constitution says? Long story short: your right to free speech protects you from government restrictions. You have no free speech right to sit in a business parking lot and collect signatures from people who support your intolerance. A business can allow you to do that, or they can decide not to. Further, anyone can call that business and talk to them about it; heck, even try to talk them out of it. There's no violation of any freedom of speech here.

But here's what I love about Ginny, SafeLibraries, and the various members of their club: their mastery of twisted logic and fair-weather use of principles when it meets their needs:

Kevin Scheunemann, showing is Libertarian stripes, is tired of "government walking on the average taxpayer." But he seems to be fine with using the power of government to impose his values on fellow citizens by dictating what can be found in the library.
If you are a member of the library board and make public comments about the current controversy, you've violated your code of ethics and should be removed from office (free speech be damned). But if you're a Kewaskum village trustee (Scheunemann) and publish your bigotry, you're a brave business leader, and any attempt to counter your actions is a violation of free speech (no need to pull him from his government position, apparently).
And when confronted with a mother calling a few businesses to make sure they know about the petition drive they've agreed to host, it is being "denied their freedom of speech by a vocal minority using threats and intimidation to shut them up". But when it is a vocal minority using threats and intimidation to kick members off of library boards in order to get their homophobic intolerance into the libraries, that's just fine.

These people crack me up sometimes....

Don't Drink the Kool-Aid

2009-04-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

Not everyone is buying this crap. Watch below:

Kevin Scheunemann, Kewaskum Trustee, is Confused

2009-04-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

Kevin Scheunemann, Kewaskum Trustee and International Dairy Queen Drive-thru Champion, is confused.

As you can read here, he supports efforts to censor, lable, and remove materials from the West Bend Library. He also thinks that people opposing this censorship attempt are part of a "PRO GAY LOBBY TRYING TO PROSELYTIZE CHILDREN!!!!!"

Yet, he says those who oppose removing gay-themed books from the Young Adult section of the library are "intolerant".

Huh? Does he even know the meaning of the word? He wants to restrict access to books in a public library, and he calls others "intolerant"?

Kevin doesn't appear to be a big fan of government, authority, or anyone telling him what to do. He seems to beat to his own drum, such as breaking the law by speeding, multiple times, and is a card-carrying member of Wisconsin's Libertarian Party.

Of course, his disdain for "the government walking on the average taxpayer" didn't stop him from taking advantage of Wisconsin's Chapter 128 rule allowing people to avoid bankruptcy by restructuring his debts. Yep, government sucks, unless they can help me get out from under my financial responsibilities.

Or, consider the fact he accepted over $7000 in government-collected taxpayer money to help him run for office.

Mr. Scheunemann is confused. He thinks people who oppose his intolerance of gay books are intolerant. He thinks government interference and tax subsidizes are bad, unless he needs money to run for office or government help to avoid his debts.

Thank God he can brag about being DQ Drive Thru champ!

Why am I Sleepless in West Bend?

2009-04-24T23:11:00.000-07:00

Because of the intolerance, ignorance, and extremism displayed by people like this, this, this, and this.

And because people like this, this, this, and this need our support.

Sleepless in West Bend

Retirement

Ginny Maziarka Verbally Rapes Us All

Is WBCFSL Fading Away?

An Open Records Request for Ginny Maziarka

Why [Ginny Maziarka] is Stupid

Ginny Maziarka's Newest Profession: Forensic Accountant!

Ginny Maziarka Rarely Finishes What She Starts

Ginny Maziarka's Statements on Homosexuality

Ginny Maziarka doesn't speak for me!

Introducing WISSUP-Uncensored

Ginny Maziarka Continues her Obama=Hitler Rant

www.ginnymaziarka.com

Who is More Like Hitler: Obama or Ginny Maziarka?

Ginny Maziarka Equates Obama to Hitler (Yawn)

Kevin Scheunemann Shares More of his Delightful Insights

To Ginny Maziarka, and other Zealots, Bigots and False Patriots

Common Sense Citizens of Ginny's World

Pick the new name for "West Bend Citizens For Safe Libraries"

Ginny Maziarka's Crusade Against Homosexuality Continues

The Evolution (or Intelligent Design) of Ignorance

Hear Me Out, or, Ginny Maziarka's Crusade against Homosexuality

Where Does Ginny Maziarka Keep Her Porn?

Ginny, Enough Already

Effingham Library Refuses to Censor Book from Teen Section

Look Out, Myrtle Beach

JSOnline Column: Read not, sin not? I think not

Ginny Maziarka: "Intellectual freedom for minors is DANGEROUS"

Ginny Maziarka Continues Scare Tactics; Should Focus on Child Literacy Instead

PFOX Issues Bogus Press Release; Calls Library Selection Process "Censorship"

Psychologists Reject Gay "Therapy"

Comment Censorship at WISSUP

WISSUP Fail

Library Controversy 3rd Most Blogged About Topic Last Week

Censorship-Free Libraries on US v. ALA

Ginny's Timeline of "Oppression" and "Covert Involvement" of Evil Outsiders

More Resources about the Library Controversy (at the Library!)

It's Perfectly Normal

BlogSlut

Welcome, Censorship-Free Libraries Blog (and Goodbye Ginny?)

Ginny Maziarka Shoots Herself in the Foot

CNN

"Get Out of My Business"

Speaking of Talking Trash...

In Most Area Libraries, these are Young Adult Books

Patriotism WBCFSL Style: Celebrating Censorship & British Literature on 4th of July Float

*GASP* Local Librarians to Attend Librarian Conference!!!

Trying to Make Sense of the Evolution of the West Bend Library Fiasco

It's 1:00pm. Do You Know Where Your Book Burners Are?

More National Media Attention

Again with the deception and subterfuge, Ginny?

WB Library Board Wants its own Attorney?

Citizens of West Bend, Meet Gawker!

New WB Library Board is Less Qualified

WTF?

The World is Laughing at West Bend...Thanks, Ginny

Ginny Maziarka: All Rights Reserved

I hope Ginny has a good lawyer

If Ginny Would Only Follow her Own Logic

Do you want 3% of the population setting "community standards"?

XXX-Rated Library?

West Bend Library Board Unanimously Rejects Censorship Attempts

If You Don't Agree with Ginny Maziarka, You Must Be Crazy

Read-In at West Bend Community Memorial Library

City Council Members Fail to Serve the Community

V is for Vendetta - Ginny Maziarka's crusade

NetNanny Blocks WISSUP as Porn

Ginny Maziarka: Tag Spammer

Think of the Children!

Ginny Maziarka: Proud Supporter of Gay Theater

Ridiculous Lawsuit Demands Destruction of "Baby Be-Bop", $120K, Resignation of Mayor

Ginny Maziarka Pretends She's Not Trying to Remove GLBTQ Material

WISSUP's Blog Comment Censorship Policy

A Lesson in Free Speech, Intolerance, and Libertarianism

Don't Drink the Kool-Aid

Kevin Scheunemann, Kewaskum Trustee, is Confused

Why am I Sleepless in West Bend?

GASP Local Librarians to Attend Librarian Conference!!!