A gloomy reflection of oppression in dictatorial countries.

Available as an art print.

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Librarians: You know how it goes.

You are out partying with your librarian friends. Suddenly you realize that your gathering requires a suitable soundtrack. A library-themed soundtrack. Indeed, without the proper music, the event will be a disaster!

It could happen. The worst case scenario is sobering: everyone ends up hopping around to the They Might be Giants’ album “Flood” until the police show up and ticket you with a noise violation.*

Using a combination of technology and powerful query-typing skills, I have SOLVED THIS PROBLEM. Introducing Dancing on the Reference Desk, a free playlist dedicated to libraries, librarians, and their interests.

Including such timeless classics as Ch-Check it Out by the Beastie Boys, and Lady Writer by Dire Straits make sure your next librarian rave is a success with this excellent compilation.

Related posts:

1. Hot Librarian Necklace
2. Virgin/Whore = Librarian/Librarian
3. Rock Rock Rock n’ Roll Librarian

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I'm agitated today. Mayor Sam Adams of Portland has given Occupy Portland a deadline to vacate the two parks (across the street from each other) where they have been encamped. They have until 12:01am 11/12/11. What will happen? Is the protest supposed to end? We all know that is not going to happen. What are the alternatives? Are we supposed to imagine that rich benefactors will provide safe haven indoors for protestors to encamp for the winter where Portland Police will not have to watch over them? Who is provoking whom here? What is happening in other cities right now? What are the words being shared in the inner sanctums on both sides? I so want to know!

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End of the Line: A Parker Noble Mystery

 

Manno, Mike (2010) End of the Line: A Parker Noble Mystery. Five Star Publishing of Gale, Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-1594148637. Litland recommends of interest to adults, acceptable for older teens.

 Publisher description:  When former banker R. J. Butler is found murdered on a city transit bus, police take little time making a connection with the embezzlement at his former bank. But is that the motive for his murder? State police detective Sergeant Jerome Stankowski and his persnickety “partner,” Parker Noble, are called to investigate and run into a host of possibilities including a trophy wife on drugs and an ex-wife desperately needing a church annulment R. J. was blocking..

 Our thoughts:

 The second installment of the Parker Noble series, End of the Line, is a fun yet engaging, quick-paced detective mystery. Parker Noble may be the genius who solves the crimes, but it is Detective “Stan” Stankowski’s antics both on and off the job that lighten the story. Truly a man’s man, Stankowski enjoys girl watching while being easily manipulated by his somewhat-girlfriend Buffy the reporter.  He  tries to juggle dating 3 girls at the same time, each end up having a role in solving the mystery. Meanwhile, the contrast of Parker’s rigidly-ordered life to Stan’s adds color, and both humor and clues surface throughout the story just often enough to keep the reader alert. My favorite dialogue pertains to Parker’s dog, Buckwheat Bob the basset hound, who listens to talk radio while Parker is at work:

(Stan) “I take it that the human voice is soothing for him?”…(Parker) ”Not really, he likes to listen to the political talk”…”You don’t think he understands all of that, do you?”…”Don’t know, Stanley. All I can tell you is that he’s turned into quite a Republican.” LOL!

 A cozy mystery written for adults, it would probably have a PG rating if a movie: use of the bird finger; one suspect referred to as tramp, hussy, nude model; Buffy pressuring Stan into taking a vacation together. However, Stan remains chaste in his girl-chasing and the story is focused on the relationships between all the characters, which adds depth, interest and a few chuckles along the way. A fun story available in the Litland.com Bookstore.

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By D. M. Leeson In September 2010, when my book was just about to enter production, my editor asked me if I had any ideas about an image for the cover.

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Each week we gather at tables, on sofas, or lean back in bed and take note of headlines in the news. Whether dramatic or funny, people gather in the information and decide from that point how much they’re willing to invest in the facts and speculation they’ve just read.

This past week has—on Yahoo! News alone—kept many balls in the air while juggling subjects across the spectrum. The amazement comes from trying to assimilate all the information and decide how any/all/some of it affects the individual.

• Just today a gripping article was posted on Yahoo! News– http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110625/us_ac/8696821_the_american_police_state_is_the_new_normal/   regarding our country’s new police state norm. In the article are examples of how police, under the guise of new, stiffer mandates by authorities and broader powers of police activity, have come to represent a growing new category of police bullies.

In a country where schools, parents, etc. are trying desperately to decrease the incidents of bullying among children, recognizing that our safety officers are actively displaying the behavior with impunity brings with it thoughts of 1984 to the max.

• Minot, ND is underwater from the flooding of the Souris River. The damage estimates have yet to be firmed up for the town’s residents. This is another example of this year’s crazy weather’s aftermath. This is especially true when taken in light of the expanding drought throughout the south. That drought situation was in evidence throughout the Southwest last winter, as well.

 

• Venezuelan President Chavez is reported to be in critical condition in a Cuban hospital after emergency surgery. The situation, according to the report, has made an already shaky situation worse as the Venezuelan government deals with an absentee president who may or may not have cancer.

 

• A bus-sized asteroid is slated to make a near-miss pass of the Earth on Monday. The estimate is that it won’t come as close as the much bigger one that whizzed by us in February. If this one dips a bit closer than expected, it would burn up on entry and create no problems for us. So say the scientists tracking it.

 

• On a lighter note, spinner sharks are now jumping over surfers in Florida. The event was billed as a new “spin” on “Jumping the Shark” of Fonz fame.

 

• Clean-up workers dealing with the Amtrak crash site in Nevada fear they will find more bodies in the wreckage of the burned out cars. The National Safety Investigation Team has not yet given their report on the incident other than to say that the semi driver slammed on his brakes before doing a head-on into the fourth car of the train at the crossing. None have stated why they thought he missed seeing both the working signal lights and gates.

 

• The organized hackers of LulzSec are disbanding permanently, according to reports. They released a statement that said little of g
  2 Comments on Headliners—A Matter of News, last added: 6/26/2011
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  Marie Elena said, on 6/26/2011 6:18:00 AM
  

  Clauds, I have a daughter who won’t watch the news anymore. She finds it too disturbing. Can’t say I blame her, though I feel the need to at least be aware of what is happening in the world.

  Sometimes — no — OFTEN I can’t get over what is considered “news,” and how it is presented. As you point out, we are in the information age. It can be overwhelming.

  When I think of the changes that took place in my grandparents’ lifetime, it is mind-boggling.

  Great post, Clauds. I love how you make us think out here.

  claudsy said, on 6/26/2011 9:23:00 AM
  

  Sometimes, I wonder, Marie, whether knowing anything that goes on beyond my living room is of value other than as scare tactics on the part of those “in the know.” Other times I can laugh at the absurdity of the world and those who live on it.

  Six of one… and all that.

  I’m glad that you enjoyed my morning musings.

  Claudsy

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The relevant constitutional provision of our CNMI Constitution reads:

If a balanced budget is not approved (by the legislature) before the first day of the fiscal year, no money shall be drawn from the General Fund, provided that certain government services and employees shall remain available as provided by law, in order to deliver services essential to the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the Commonwealth and to protect against damage to and destruction of property.

The exact contours of this provision are now being tested by our current situation. And the limitations and protections of this provision seem to have already been stretched beyond reason and good sense in service of political motives.

1. The Saipan Tribune reports that Attorney General Ed Buckingham has used and is using public funds to hire a private attorney to represent him in the OPA investigation into his use of public office to support federal election (House of Representatives) candidate Joe Camacho. The hire of attorney G. Anthony Long occurred on September 17, 2010 --so predates the constitutional restriction on expenditures of public funds. But now the question becomes whether the continued services of Mr. Long can possibly be considered "essential services" during this government "shut-down." The answer seems obvious--NO! Legal services to cover Mr. Buckingham's ass in the investigation are not vital to "health, safety, and welfare OF THE PEOPLE."

No time that Mr. Long puts in from October 1, 2010 to the enactment of a budget should be billed to the public or paid for with public funds.


2. The Marianas Variety reports that Deputy Police Commissioner Ambrosio Ogumoro told DPS supervisors during work hours in a meeting to have their subordinate police officers bring food to a political gathering for US House candidate Joe Camacho. Almost worse than this political pressure is the report that police officers, while on duty, "delivered picnic tables, cut fish and helped in the preparation" for the political gathering.

Not only is it a violation of law for state government workers to aid in a federal election campaign as part of their state government work, we are in a SHUT-DOWN and only essential services are to be provided and paid for.

Helping on a political campaign is not essential service for the "health, safety, and welfare of the people of the Commonwealth."


We need a full investigation of both of these. We may need a lawsuit challenging expenditure of taxpayer funds in derogation of the Constitution. And for this, we need leaders to take the lead. They must step up and insist on behalf of all of us that the tyranny end; that our rights be protected; and that our government remain and return to democratic principles.

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The 9th Circuit issued a decision in a civil rights/discrimination case against the DPS. You can read about it on the MLSC blog here.

It's good news.

And it will help to shape up our police force. The basic idea--you can't discriminate for locals or against Koreans or other non-locals in delivery of government services.

It would be good if all of our government offices got the message.

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During the mid 1800s’, Canada was a wild frontier.  A continuous stream of settlers and miners flowed into Canada following “Free Land” Promises, and the numerous gold strikes in the Yukon.  Constant Struggles with the Native Americans were an everyday occurrence, as well as the rowdy miners causing a ruckus in their tiny mining communities.  Law and order in Canada were mere words to its citizens.  Something had to be done; however, with no real standing army, and without the means to make one, Canada went down a different path.

According to the Centennial Anniversary Book, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in its earliest years were a group of 200 men given the difficult task of bringing law and order to the whole of Canada.  Not only this, but they were also given the duty of keeping good relations with the dozens of Canada’s native tribes, according to the song, “The RCMP Always Chasing After Me” by Rick Stoneback.  In many parts of Canada, especially the Yukon, the RCMP officer was the highest authority.  Over time, the force grew and so did their reputation.  What was once a small group of men trying to bring justice to the wilds, soon became a force to be reckoned with.  One that stood for duty, justice and loyalty.

Tales of their exploits soon reached mythical level.  Stories of “Mounties” saving entire towns soon gained them the reputation of being “Do Rights”.  Popular radio shows such as “The Yukon” and the movie, “Dudley DoRight” reinforced this.  Although their reputation is only over-powered by their dedication to service, and their ability to do their jobs better than many others.  The RCMP are able to place themselves higher on a pedestal than other police forces because of their lack of jurisdiction restrictions, their superior training, and the tradition of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 

Most local and national police forces such as the NYPD or the CIA do have some jurisdiction on some specific cases in the United States, whereas the RCMP have automatic authority over any crime scene in Canada or dealing with a Canadian citizen cited from Parliament of Canada Law 81A section 22-3.  The Mounted Police, on a couple of occasions, have ventured into the United States to solve cases that happen in Canada and the Criminals try to flee Canada in hopes that the Mounties will not be able to follow.  Once specific case from the Niagara Gazette reported a murder in 1982 and the RCMP joining forces with the U.S. Coast Guard from the article, “Mounties Team Up With Coast Guard to Nab Murderer.”  Another example is during the 1920’ druing Prohibition in the United States, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on a few occasions raided sites just across the boarder that had been distributing illegal Canadian whiskey.  Dozens of times the RCMP joined forces with the United States State Department to bring down criminal rings illegally smuggling Canadian whiskey into the United States according to the book, “20th century Mounties”.  While the RCMP and the United States have not teamed up recently, the RCMP, because of its status as a national police force, is able to in certain cases have international jurisdiction.  The RCMP would not be able to conduct these raids however if it were not for long, unique, and special training periods.

Because of Canada’s unique location, it experiences both extremely hot summers as well as frigid cold winers.  Because Mounted Police officers can be stationed anywhere, their training period is broken down into two nine week blocks.  One block trains in southern Canada where it is warmer during the spring and summer, and one in the Yukon where it is always cold.  This is according to the RCMP website home page at rcmp.com.  The RCMP is also required to meet physical requirements that match that of the French Foreign Legion which is one of the hardest in the world as described by the auto biography of RCMP officer Murphy Rhodes.  All officers are to be outstanding students as well.  All officers must have a college degree with a minor in Native American studies and are required to be fluent in French as well as English also according to the RCMP website.  In comparison to most police forces who have easily obtainable  physical requirements, shorter training periods, and lower academic standards.

The RCMP’s rigorous training also includes rifle and pistol training.  Long known for their excellent marksmen, the RCMP tries to uphold their traditions by being proficient in both contemporary weapons as well as old-fashioned weapons such as the 1870 Winchester lever-action rifle and Colt 1868 .45 caliber single action revolver.  This information was taken from the RCMP field guide.

The officers are also highly trained in hand-to-hand combat.  Compared to other armies and police forces, the RCMP are among the best according to USA Today’s Article “Top 20 I Would Not Want To Fight”  by Philip Morgan.

What makes the RCMP the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is the traditions that they uphold even today.  The RCMP has always been about selfless service to Canada and all who inhabit it.  Trying to build a better life for all of Canada.  The values that the “Do Rights” stand for today are the same as the ones that they stood for over a hundred years ago.  As previously stated,  the RCMP try to uphold their weaponry traditions by being crack shots with the weapons used at their founding.  Apart from that is the wearing of their uniform.  Unlike most police forces who have many times updated their uniforms, for the most part, the Mounted Police have stayed true to their roots.  Like at their founding, the Mounted Police still wear the red uniform of their predecessors.  While their uniform has had to be slightly modified for safety reasons, according to the Ottawa Times, modern day “Mounties” are among the few who stay traditional.

There are thousands of police forces from around the world.  All with unique abilities that they bring to the table.  The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, while just one of the thousands, stands out from the rest of the pack.  In an age of corruption and endless police violence, the RCMP holds to the values of those who came before them.  Being physically, and weaponry superior aside, the RCMP have been able to last throughout the ages, partially because of their mythical status.  However, the majority of this comes from their ability to do their jobs, and to do it well.  The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are one of the better police forces in the world because of their lack of jurisdiction restrictions, their superior training, and the tradition of the Mounted Police.

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Joy Ride. So, you've probably heard about the 7 year-old boy who decided to take his parents' car for a ride so he wouldn't have to go to church. Sad. Thank God it wasn't more serious. He could have easily harmed himself or others. I think it was last year when another kid did the same thing, but because he was mad. I'm really wondering what goes through these kids' minds when they do stuff like that. Did he realize that what he was doing was wrong...really wrong? I know psychologically they say kids this young don't really know what they're doing, but, come on! Some of these children know exactly what they're doing. And they know the difference between right and wrong.

And the really sad thing is the child and his family were flown to NY to appear on the Today Show. I don't agree with that. What does that say to other kids? Sure, children. Steal your parents' car; put your life and the lives of others in danger; lead the police on a low-speed chase...at least you'll be invited to appear on a big-time TV show - in front of millions of people - where everyone will 'oh and ah' about how cute you are. Just my opinion...you don't have to agree with me.

Serious Issues. I'm not going to say too much about this subject because it just hurts my heart. A San Antonio mother decapitated her newborn, ate parts of his body, including his brain. She said someone or something told her to do it. Some reports say she said the devil told her to do it. This is sad, disgusting, appalling, etc. They say she wasn't in her right mind to begin with (duh). My heart hurts for that poor baby. That's all I'm going to say about that.

Happy Birthday. Ending today's post on a happy note. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL MOM. SHE'S THE BESTEST MOM IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. I thank God that He's allowing me another birthday with her (cos I know our days are not promised and we won't live forever). She's the best. Love you, Mommy!

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This was a special request by my niece Marisa for a good friend of hers, Sara, who is a huge fan of a certain Crime Scene programme on TV :) Blood red icing, a dagger plunged into it, a bullet in its side and a hangman's noose draped over the cupcake ... as well as the DO NOT CROSS police tape -- I hope I added enough murderous implements to satisfy her!

And here's the magnet that just won the Today's Best Award over at zazzle.com :)

   

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Librarians at my town library — Kimball Library in Randolph Vermont — win the Paul Howard award for Courage. I wish I could say I had anything to do with any of this, but I was away at ALA while all of this was going down. This award is good news. Just yesterday at town meeting the head of our our library trustees had to defend the decisions that the library made during that difficult time whch included the fact that the library received an apology from the police for their illegal request of the library’s public computers. Meanwhile, the library has to reduce hours due to decreased funding.

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A really cool babe I know was interviewed for the wonderful Class of 2K8 group blog. I learned so much from this chick's interview. You can too. See here: http://classof2k8.blogspot.com/ (At this rate, I'll be the charter member of the class of 3K8. Do you think I will finally figure out how to burn CDs by then?)

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Some times we know when we've said too much, when we've complained beyond the pale, when we've told all the world we're miserable over a little scratch or a last-second Blooming Pimple.

And then there are days like today. When every whine and kvetch and tantrum is utterly justified.

It's Easy Bake Oven hot in here. The central air conditioner is either out of the juice it needs to do its thing or it's just that much hotter outside at this late hour than it should be.

I just killed an ugly swarm of baby ants marching in and around the dog's food bowl. Eureka. Book me on the Home Shopping Network. I just found a new use for a can of Arrid Extra Dry. (If it can kill odors....) ;> (Forgive me, you humane and lovely people.) It was all I had available at the moment. They had to go. I am talking about 100 ants. They walk fast. Who knew? At least they went out with fresh-smelling underarms. We should all be so lucky.

But the worst part of this horrific day was when I encountered, face-to-face, a 18-20 year old attempting to break into my house via the bathroom skylight in the ceiling. He was one step away from jumping down to the floor and doing G-d knows what to me and the house-- and my daughter, who was home with me.

Oh My G-d. A nightmare. My worst. A violation of my home and sanctity. He was yanking open the skylight when I saw his face looking down at me. His body was crouched, like a wiry, malevolent spider in still life.

I never knew I could scream this loud. I cannot believe I was only Co-Captain of the Boosters cheering squad with the sailor's mouth I apparently acquired somewhere on the road. ;>

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" I screamed in the shrillest, most piercing pitch of A triple sharp sharp.

Note to the mature readers out there: (Do I have any?! Raise your keyboards. All together now.) There may have been a few expletives tucked into the above-referenced sentence but I'm taking artistic license to omit the Naughty Bits here in this edit-free re-telling of the saga. Trust me. Those words do not add to the story.

Face to face with a home invader! Face to face with something I hate more than mice. (Note to self: post the "I Hate" meme soon.)

He fled. I freaked. I spent the rest of the afternoon entertaining police officers and detectives and sniffing dogs in my home. I apologized for the mess. I offered them food. (Can't shut off the Betty Crocker Good Hostess spigot, even in the middle of a crime scene.)

My dog, Charlie, is the true hero. If not for his incessant, mad as hell dog barks, I would not have known to follow the sounds of banging and tools to the 2nd floor bathroom.

He deserves a medal for his heroics. I deserve peace and quiet.

Does anyone have any to spare?

Please?

A special thanks to children's author Audrey Vernick for watching over me, today and always.

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Every once in a while I get a blog piece from an author that I am so excited about I am compelled to post it immediately, today’s piece fits that bill. Philip Pullman, best known as the author of The Golden Compass, which is in theaters now, also wrote the introduction to the Oxford edition of Milton’s Paradise Lost.  Today, it is my great honor to post Pullman’s thoughts on Milton in 2008.  Enjoy!

Four hundred years after the birth of John Milton, he still lives, his example still inspires, his words still echo. Paradise Lost is played on the stage, is sung to music, is choreographed for a ballet; it is an audiobook, it is the subject of countless theses and dissertations, and on the very morning that I’m writing this, an invitation arrives to the private view of an exhibition of paintings and prints called The Fall of the Rebel Angels, whose iconography is unmistakable. (more…)

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