I'm sure we've all now heard that there is a good possibility that Buffalo's public libraries will shut down after January 1, 2005. Just this last Wednesday, Erie County Executive Joel Giambra had mentioned in an interview that he had not heard from residents about his "red" and "green" budget proposals. The "red" budget would be the one that would call for the closing of all libraries. The "green" would keep them open, along with other public services, but would raise the sales tax by another penny.

I used to see libraries as nothing more than large collections of antiquated books; filled with card catalogs and smelling of musty encylopedia volumes.
But since I've moved back to Western New York, the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library has become one of my main haunts.

Our libraries are a wonderful resource. Not only do I have regular acess to books I could otherwise not afford, I also have access to a collection of movies and music that rivals a store like Media Play. And with the convenience of internet access to the library's catalog, I'm able to search for and reserve items only moments after thinking about them.

The library would not only be a pity to lose, but it would put a shame on the people of our county if we were to let them close. Are we at a point where the community cares so little about culture and education? Where are our priorities? What kind of city has NO LIBRARIES?!!

I wonder if there would be more public outcry if the city was losing its beloved Buffalo Bills instead.

If you think we're headed in the wrong direction, I urge you all to contact your representatives and tell them how much of a mistake you think this is.

As for me, given the choice I would gladly pay the extra penny on the dollar.

I saw a comment left of IMDB from a guy who represents Protest Warrior.com and decided to look through his site. It was fairly well laid-out and organized and it PISSED THE FUCK OUT OF ME!!

Everything on the site is very far to the right -- the more I read it, the more I had issues. Why can I not just look at material from both sides objectively? I want to be able to have an informed opinion, I want to be able have a discussion with (e:jason) without getting all flustered (not that we've had ANY conversations yet). It's too easy to just stand by your opinion and say, "I'm right in what I say and all who oppose me are wrong" -- much more difficult to listen to the other side to make sure you believe what you believe for a reason.

That being said, I STILL think the Tax Cuts are a load of BOLLOCKS and will give any money that I get to someone who REALLY needs it. "Jump start" the economy, my ass. Trickle down THIS!

ya see, I can't help but rant... i'm what you call a yellow-dog democrat (meaning: i'd vote for a yellow dog if it were to run on the democratic ticket).

perhaps i'm angry because the "Protest Warriors" went to san francisco and essentially mocked the protestors there. ugh.

(e:kacey),

In regards to your questions about gay rights in the United States, [inlink]kacey,33[/inlink] -- all I can say is that it saddens me that homophobia (or fear of any alternative lifestyle) has become an accepted bigotry.

oh sure, it's fine for people who want to be entertained (I'm guilty of being hooked on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" myself) -- but for some reason the "moral majority" gets totally threatened when they are confronted with the fact that these are real people with real lives.

Why do these people feel that marriage needs to be defended (an overwhelming amount I might add if you look at the results of all the gay marriage bans that passed*). All that I know is that I'm your typical white-bread hetero married with one kid, one cat and a station wagon -- and gay marriage does not threaten any of who i or my family are. why the hell would it? how COULD it?

The "moral value" argument doesn't cut it -- it makes more sense that many religions originally demonized homsexuality because it wasn't conducive to procreation. this was back when people weren't living much past their 40's. At that time something needed to be done to rebuild the population and religion was the best way to spread that idea. But that just isn't the case any more. Why do people not see that?!! Enough, we have enough people. Gay people are born gay, let them live their lives that way. And yes, they do make DAMN GOOD parents (having known more than my share of gay couples).

I'm very sorry -- but things WILL eventually change and this will be seen in the same light as racial segregation. And I too am nursing the wounds that this country has left by now naming this guy the "Popular President" -- oy!


*it should be noted that many of these gay marriage bans INCLUDED civil unions. Something that isn't as widely known.

I decided to post these pictures in the midst of a crazy election that is leaving me STRESSED. Not to mention WKBW's Julie Fine's voice is as annoying as a newscaster's voice can get! Try pronouncing words out of something OTHER than your nose there Julie! Seriously, Ack!

And now, my tranquil ride:



self portrait: idiot staring at bails of hay


Blurry Leaves


Newstead/Clarence Bike path


Yeah, I don't know who was steering the bike in this pic. It wasn't me!

It seems almost comical (and in any other situation, it might be) that there have been so many blatant attempts to misinform "undesirable voters" (read: anyone who doesn't agree with the religious right) [inlink]ajay,168[/inlink]

What's strange is that someone showed me this from "The Onion" just yesterday