[AAACE-NLA] "Lobbying'' as euphemism

[Rose M Brandt]

When there is a new medium, institution, or forum for information, its
use needs to be given thoughtful consideration.  Looking at existing
entities could go a long way in informing our discussion of the role of
and appropriate activities on publicly funded, NIFL electronic lists.  
Certain aspects of publicly funded libraries provide a precedent that we
could look at when considering the NIFL lists.  Public libraries cannot
themselves lobby, but they have books on lobbying on their shelves and
someone can use their computers to research a political issue and contact
an elected official.  Another example - being a branch of city
government, my agency could not lobby.  But my agency could, for example,
provide training on voter education including forums for discussing
issues and writing instruction that would enable adult education students
to communicate with their elected officials.

I do not see these examples of public library or of adult education
activities as lobbying, nor do I think allowing free speech on the NIFL
lists is lobbying.

Rose Brandt

  



On Fri, 4 Jul 2003 07:32:21 -0400 kmccook at tampabay.rr.com writes:
> Hey! Happy Independence Day.
> ===============
> The problem in the new NIFL posting rules is the use of the 
> word, "lobbying," which seems to be a euphemism for any 
> discussion of current issues that are not favorable to those in 
> governmental power.
> The chill created by such rules is guaranteed to cause those 
> posting to self-regulate. Down the road those joining will not 
> know what is no longer shared and will not expect more than 
> cheery 'how we do it good' messages. Welcome to Stepford.
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