The ALA - Books, Bonfires, and Coverups

From the ALA Mission Statement

ALA will promote the protection of library materials, personnel, and trustees from censorship; the defense of library personnel and trustees in support of intellectual freedom and the Library Bill of Rights; and the education of library personnel, trustees, and the general public to the importance of intellectual freedom.

The Association advocates funding and policies that support libraries as great democratic institutions, serving people of every age, income level, location, ethnicity, or physical ability, and providing the full range of information resources needed to live, learn, govern, and work.

Intellectual freedom is a basic right in a democratic society and a core value of the library profession. The American Library Association actively defends the right of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment

Then how do you explain this:

The ALA calls for the withdrawal from Iraq of all U.S. military forces, and the return of full sovereignty to the people of Iraq;

At the American Library Association (ALA) 2005 Annual Conference in Chicago, June 23-29, the ALA Council adopted a resolution on the connection between the Iraq War and libraries. ALA CD#62 states that: “ many of Iraq's cultural treasures, including libraries, archives, manuscripts, and artifacts, have been destroyed, lost, or stolen” and “ even a small fraction of these resources [spent on the war] would be more than sufficient for rebuilding and greatly enhancing the libraries and educational institutions of both Iraq and the U.S.”

Not one word about Saddam Hussein and his atrocities, or the fact that those libraries held only books not censored by the repressive dictator. Not a word. Read the resolution Here

And then there is this:

"The LA also supports IFLA in its call for the elimination of the U.S. embargo that restricts access to information in Cuba and for lifting travel restrictions that limit professional exchanges. ALA also supports IFLA's call for the U.S. government to share information widely in Cuba."

Yes that’s right folks, it’s the embargo that restricts Cubans access to information. That’s why there is not enough food or electricity, that’s why tens of thousands have died in the waters of the Florida Straights seeking freedom in America.

So, let’s lift those restrictions and send more books to kuba, after all fidel needs them. He uses them to build bonfires. The ALA isn’t talking about that either. In fact there is evidence that the ALA has attempted to cover up bookburning and the repression of librarians in Cuba.

The Friends of Cuban Libraries are talking about it and they have an excellent website with information and links.

Please visit them Here

Author Carlos N. M. Eire wrote a public letter in which he urged the ALA "to openly and unconditionally censure the repression of human rights in Cuba and to do so immediately and in the strongest possible terms."

He asked "how can the ALA mount a successful campaign in the United States to protest the Patriot Act when it refuses to condemn one of the most flagrant violations of its own principles a mere ninety miles from American shores?"

Read the article by Walter Skold at WorldNetDaily Here