Like just about everyone else, I am glad that we have a new regime at City Hall in the mayor’s office and on the council. However, in the euphoria of the demise of the old and arrival of the new, we shouldn’t forget one of the biggest accomplishments of the past few years: the Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr. Library joint venture between the city and San Jose State University and the process that is creating the new and vastly improved San Jose library system. This is a legacy worth celebrating.
There are few things more vital to the intellectual health and well-being of the community than the ready availability of library material. The branch libraries that are being rebuilt and improved all over the city are something we can be proud of. If you haven’t noticed, I suggest that you take a look at the new Rose Garden and Almaden branches of the city library. Not only have the buildings added something new and different to their neighborhoods, but they are a constant beehive of activity, and it is heartening to see so many young people taking advantage of this great community resource.
When the King Library was opened on the edge of the SJSU campus, it was the first ever joint community/university library in the country. It was a controversial arrangement, as some university professors rightly worried that giving the general public access to material needed by university students might mean the students would suffer. However, this has not proven to be the case as far as I can tell. As a frequent user of the central library in my work as musician and writer, I have had little trouble finding academic material necessary for my research, and I have never had a problem finding a space to work near the 5th floor Music Collection where I spend a lot of time. It seems to be a win-win situation all around for the city and university.
Like some of you, I was disturbed by the recent report on Channel 7 TV concerning problems at the libraries with some patrons apparently openly viewing pornography on computer screens and engaging in activities not usually associated with institutes of learning. I have spent hundreds of hours in the library over the past few years and have never witnessed such activities myself, nor had I heard about them, so I am wondering how widespread they actually are. Nonetheless, as the library is a public place just like the street, if there is inappropriate behavior there, it would be governed by existing law and any lewd or illegal acts should lead to arrest and prosecution. This requires policing. As for regulating what websites may be viewed on library computers, or on personal computers in a public library, this is certainly a 1st Amendment issue and I don’t see how it could be controlled without banning computers altogether. Since banning access to information and engaging in censorship because of the irresponsible behavior of a few individuals goes against everything we as a people stand for, this is not a solution. It’s a matter of personal responsibility.
I generally agree [!] with Jack’s positive comments about the SJ library system.
Allow me to vent about one pet peeve, however. Why can’t San Jose work on combining their library system with that of the county and other cities within the county. That would give us a true countywide library system which would all work with one card. It would allow a broader book selection and hopefully result in elimination of some administrative overhead. And I wouldn’t have to go to Campbell or Los Altos to return material borrowed at those facilities.
Liberalism is a mental disorder? You bet.
“…with some patrons apparently…”
“I have spent hundreds of hours in the library over the past few years and have never witnessed such activities myself…”
Here’s a thought – maybe sex offenders don’t hang out on the 5th floor near the music section.
“as the library is a public place just like the street…”
What normal person would *ever* suspect that the public library is frequented by sex offenders and perverts and that their kids *wouldn’t* be safe there?
“Since banning access to information and engaging in censorship…”
Information? Censorship?
Sanity, decency, morality, and common sense just jumped in a taxi and have fled the building.
From the abc7 article:
“San Jose’s police blotter over the past year lists several arrests for child porn at the library, at least ten cases of child molestation or other sex crimes involving kids and several cases of men viewing porn and performing a lewd act, right at the terminal.”
The downtown library is as good as it gets for the sex offenders that live around there.
– There’s always plenty of children on hand.
– Sex offenders get free, unfettered access to porn and child porn courtesy of our tax dollars and free speech ‘advocates’ such as Jane Light and Jack.
In all the years I’ve lived here, nothing has turned my stomach more than this story. It is absolutely vile and revolting on all levels.
Chuck, drop the hammer on this lunacy and clean up the cesspool that our downtown library has become.
Sorry, Jack, but I cannot agree with either you or the head of the MLK Library who said that perverts and pedophiles openly viewing porn on library computers, including kiddie porn, and masturbating in the library while doing, so is a protected first amendment right.
Even the head of SF’s library did not assert the sickos’ First Amendment “rights”.
If you are truly interested in consolidating library systems, the people to talk to are the elected officials who are responsible for the various libraries. Public libraries, like public schools, are very local. Unlike schools, most libraries in the U.S. are not independent. They are fully departments of local (city or county) governments. Those governments have to act together for consolidation to happen. Often, state statutes need to be changed for this to even be legally possible. My experience is not in California, so I don’t know if this is true there. But the libraries themselves cannot do this. It would be the same as someone in a private business saying “my division wants to be part of another company”. Instead, the CEOs would decide to merge the companies, not the HR departments or the finance departments.
How come we never hear from the SJSU component of the SJ/SJSU library, i.e., the librarian for the college? What would that person’s evaluation of Susan Hammer’s Big Project be? Also, it’s great that there are many new library branches—but not great that there is no money to keep them open more than a few hours a week. Gonzo built lots of them: many contract hours for construction unions, but I guess librarians, nicest of all folks, don’t belong to a union, or at least the one with juice. The libraries are a public service, like parks and pools—NOT a priority in this town. Great idea about combining all county library systems!! George Green
JohnMichael #3
I state in my column that the library should be policed the same as all other public places, and that anyone caught breaking the law by engaging in lewd conduct or any other illegal activity should be arrested and prosecuted. Do you not agree? I obviously did not assert that the 1st Amendment protects such conduct as you erroneously say.
Apart from that, please correct me if I am wrong, but you seem to advocate that some law enforcement or other government entity should set limits and exert control over internet access. Could you give us the benefit of your legal experience and explain why you believe that attempting to control internet access (as they do in China) on someone’s own personal computer or a publicly owned one (as in the case of the library) is not a Constitutional issue. What applicable laws would allow such government intervention?
Furthermore, do you not agree that our library system is a vital and valuable community asset?
Accessing kiddie porn is not protected by any amendment, Jack. It’s a crime to access it on your own computer in the privacy of your own home. It is also a crime to access it anywhere else, like on a public library computer.
Masturbating in public is a crime, Jack, even if it’s in a library. It isn’t “speech”, protected or otherwise.
#6: Where did #3 question the value of the library system?
How would you propose to regulate the misuse of public computers by “perverts and pedophiles?” Seems like the Constitution was not meant to protect them or their disgusting activities in any library. I’m not trying to slam you, Jack, but do wonder your suggestion to control such behavior.
Hugh (#1), a good thought about consolidating City and County library systems. Why can it never happen? For the same reason that City and County services in other arenas will never be consolidated – parochialism and union protectionism.
Why, for example, do we need both County and City police? Why, too, do we need a whole array of school districts, some as small as one school? I guess the most ridiculous example of costly redundancy is San Francisco’s police infrastructure… while the County and City share the same geographical boundaries, it has both a police and sheriff’s department.
Government at its very best, right?!
I am a librarian, but I don’t work in a general public library.
#1 and #4
California Government Code Section 6500 et seq . already allows to jointed library districts.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=gov&group=06001-07000&file=6500-6536
In fact, there are 9 cities in this county joins with unincorporated area in the county library system instead of running their own libraries.
http://www.santaclaracountylib.org/about/jpa.html
Most library patrons are mainly attached to their own local branches, and unlikely to give up local control. Under a joint power arrangement, some people always feel they are not getting their fair share, real or preceived. As recent struggle at Los Altos(Hills) shool district shows, branch closures can get ugly really fast.
As I understand the ‘free speech’ position there is no middle ground and our choices are:
– Communist Chinese style internet access filtering and monitoring or
– Allow sex offenders to view child porn on the library computers.
Since we’re talking about a taxpayer funded entity where an anything goes internet policy is attracting sex offenders that endanger children – I’ll pick the Communist Chinese model.
See that wasn’t so hard was it?
Does not being able to access the full range of garbage and sewage that’s on the internet from the *public* library ruin your day?
Unless you’re a deviant/sex criminal – the answer is no.
God forbid there is another incident – but if it does occur – I truly hope San Jose gets hit with a multimillion dollar lawsuit and lots of national press.
That would be just reward for such ‘free speech’ lunacy.
Thanks for solving the problem Novice. I guess you’ll be the judge of what gets filtered and what does not. Since you seem to be the oracle of all that is right and wrong you should have the filters up and running in no time.
I guess it won’t bother you when I try to find information on breast cancer but the filter won’t allow me to view it because of the “dirty” word breast. I guess it’s also OK when I want to find out something about virgin olive oil but the filter says I can’t do that either. The list goes on forever but I guess that’s OK for folks like you that would burn down the bridge to stop a drunk driver.
Perhaps the rest of us can deal with this on a rational basis that will protect legitimate research but not those who are intent on potential criminal activity. Or is that too American for you?
This is unbelievable, Jack writes an article about our excellant library and all of a sudden we have uncontrolled hystera. I read nothing in this article that should provoke such anger.
Suggest that some of you should reread the article 4 or 5 times and then maybe you’ll understand what was written.
One good thing about the written word, unlike word of mouth statements, is that they can be reviewed. We should be proud of our library and work on making the facilities now in place available nights, weekends and holidays.
#16 Glenn. It’s obvious by their words that Novice and O’Connor are more interested in tasteless adolescent fantasy than serious discussion about libraries.
You are right, the MLK Library is one of the bright spots of San Jose and something for which we can be justifiably proud.
A major library is a community’s biggest asset.
I know we have people on our city council in Santa Clara, like Kevin Moore, who thinks a stadium is more important than a library, but a library is more important than even a city hall.
7 – John, you kind of avoided answering Jack’s questions, didn’t you? Why?
Why is it that this blog cannot discuss San Jose’s excellent library without getting sidetracked into issues of perverts and pedophiles?
It makes me wonder if some of those who post here have ever actually been inside the MLK Library. My guess is they have not. They’re probably too busy watching sensational reports on Channel 7.
Then again, it’s probably just as well. They’d be greatly disappointed to find people studying, reading, and appropriately using the technology. Oddly enough, that’s what really goes on at the library.
16,17
“San Jose’s police blotter over the past year lists several arrests for child porn at the library, at least ten cases of child molestation or other sex crimes involving kids and several cases of men viewing porn and performing a lewd act, right at the terminal.”
What part of this makes you proud?
Given that 100%, pure as the driven snow, free speech is the holy grail for some on this thread, have you ever considered who is selecting the books for the library?
I would make a blind wager that librarians as a whole are predominantly liberal. I would wager that bay area librarians (including Jane Light) are even more liberal.
So here we have a group of people of like political orientation deciding which books make it to the library shelves and which do not.
This smacks of censorship and filtering and communist China to me – wouldn’t you agree Ed Itor?
How am I to do global warming research when left leaning librarians, based on their worldviews, are deciding which global warming resources pass muster and make it to the shelves?
And if you think I’m making this up go to the American Librarian Association website.
http://www.ala.org/ala/diversity/versed/versed2004/may2004abc/personalbias.htm
All the sanctimonious ‘free speech’ squealing we’ve seen on this thread and heard from Jane Light is little more than yet another load of hypocritical leftist crap.
Viva Fidel!
I’m a former SJSU student and I have spent countless hours in the MLK Library, and I can attest that there are a bunch creepy guys who spend their days downloading porn and roaming around the library. I’ve never seen anyone masturbating in public, but it wouldn’t surprise me. I always wash my hands after using the computers, and I hope there is a policy of cleaning the keyboards and mouses are cleaned regularly for the sake of everyone’s health—especially in light of perverts being arrested for masturbating in front of the computers.
There is software designed to block pornography. Installing this software to ban pornography on the SJPL computers is, I believe, quite sensible, and not a violation “of everything we stand for.” Geesh. Perhaps, then the perverts will stay home.
Thanks again, Novice, for providing us with your liberal paranoia comedy routine. Of course you provide no evidence to back-up your anti-liberal tirade other than a 2 year old article that hardly bolsters your argument.
No one has advocated allowing these creeps to inflict themselves on children or other library patrons. If you want to have a rational discussion on how best to deal with this small problem, fine, but if you want to bash liberals and look for ways to curtail legitimate free speech, then you can continue to talk to yourself.
Hope you and Fidel have a nice weekend. I’m going out to enjoy the freedoms we have and appreciate that folks like you cannot take that away from me.
18. Novice: “Several” arrests indeed!
Obviously the library is a hotbed of masturbating bibliophiles.
Sadly, when Channel 7 decided to do a report on the MLK Library they overlooked the overwhelmingly positive role the facility has played in San Jose. Instead they focused on “several” arrests for inappropriate behavior at the library.
But it gets worse.
Based on this cartoon journalism Novice is prepared to suspend “free speech lunacy” to protect San Joseans from the crimes of the “Several.”
To ensure that the offenses of the “Several” are not forgotten Novice is prepared to challenge those who express civic pride for the excellent library created by the City-University partnership.
Seriously…go read a book, or “Several” books. You can find them at your local library.
OK, all you free SPEECH-niks, let’s take your argument to it’s logical conclusion. Since there are many impoverished people in San Ohaze who have to choose between buying, food, cigarettes, booze, or porn magazines, let’s stock MLK with the entire panolply of porno maganzines avaialble to the paying public. That way, computer illiterate pedophiles can get their jollies on the taxpayers dime as well as those who know how to boot up porn sites on the free computers @ MLK.
Watching porn is not SPEECH, whether it’s at private expense or public expense. There is nothing in the Constitution, Statutes, or case law that requires the public to provide free porn to all who want it.
There’s a whole panoply of stuff that poor people ( or am I supposed to call the economically challenged, now?) don’t get that middle class and rich people do get. Does that mean the government must supply everything they don’t have?
JMO is right on the money.
The web is wide open and sex offenders can look at all the child porn the web has to offer – in the comfort of our very own MLK library.
But what about the sex offenders that don’t know how to use computers?
Aren’t the computer illiterate sex offenders disenfranchised? I don’t understand how a place like the bay area that claims to be uber-tolerance nirvana can allow this.
This is a case for the ACLU if there ever was.
If the wide open web is the information access model we all deserve and can’t live without, we simply cannot and will not stand for librarian imposed censorship when it comes to the materials on our library shelves.
I hereby demand that our librarians start stocking the shelves with hard copies of child porn books and movies equivalent to what is available on the web.
Jane Light – we’re counting on you to lead us in this fight against disenfranchisement of computer illiterate sex offenders.
Viva Fidel!
Adolph Phister, created Alum Rock Park, started the first free library now MLK Library.
Find this and more in the web site http://www.germanamericanpioneers.org, thanks to the tremendous effort and energy of our own historian Maria Brand.
I’m sure you will find her engaging and so positive about our Village’s past and future.
Please join me in welcoming Maria Brand. Her stories will entertain and amaze you.
The Village Black Smith
Sounds simple enough: a) limit certain access, or b) arrest those who violate the law.
If the behavior can not be sufficiently policed, restrict the attraction or support for the behavior.
I promised myself I would not get drawn in to the maylay that has taken up Jack’s Blog. I do find it quite interesting that Novice and others have little in the way of support for issues that enlighten. That said, What is worthy of knowing is that the history of our library is so unique that it does astound.
Maria Brand and her German Club initiated a Bronze Bas Relief Plaque which we at South Bay Bronze had the honor of sculpting and placing in the California room of the MLK Library.
Adolf Phister was twice mayor of our Village in the 1800’s. Adolf Phister donated his own money to start the first free library now the MLK Library, among other entities that are still part of our village today.
Perhaps Maria Brand can post for us the acomplishments of Mayor Phister. Now there is our next Leonard Mckay.
She dazzled me with her knowledge and enthusium of the history of our Village since the 1800’s.
I would like to see her post regularly about our Village on this site. You will all Love her as we do.
The Village Black Smith
Point taken Gil.
Next time Tony Romo fumbles a field goal, I will first embark on a soliloquy extolling the virtues of Mexico and it’s culture, the Mexican people, and Mexican-American athletes, before yelling at the TV.
You know it’s quite easy to overlook the MLK’s good deeds at the MLK library when:
– children are being sexually assaulted at MLK
– perverts are caught masturbating at the MLK’s computer terminals
– sex offenders are viewing child pornography at the MLK’s computer terminals
All of this is directly attributable to the the MLK’s computer information access policy.
If MLK computer terminals and MLK policy allowing unfettered access to child porn and other internet sewage are the main draw for sex offenders and perverts, then for God’s sake change the internet access policy.
That this is even a debate and that the ‘free speechers’ are trying to paper this over as if it’s the equivalent of overdue library book fines just goes to show the degree of lunacy that permeates the bay area.
Free speecher’s are quite happy to accept librarian censorship and librarian filtering of library shelf content but squeal like stuck pigs when it comes to regulating internet content.
Liberalism is a mental disorder? You bet.
How else can you explain this thread.
PS. Can anyone ‘channel’ Dr King? (You know – the man the library is named after) I’d like to get his take on this issue. My guess is that he’s spinning in his grave at a rather high RPM.
PS. PS. can someone kindly wake up one of our intrepid investigative ‘journalists’ at the Merc? A search of their website yields nada. (ABC7 did their story on Nov/2006) Is the Merc simply asleep on the job? Or do they have some sort of ‘relationship’ with the library/sex offender lobby/Mark Leno?
Novice,
You really have to stop being so hard on your self. You are part of our Village. The answers will come with our acceptance of who we are.
I hope to see you with a placard in front of the MLK Library every day bemoaning the issues you spray at the viewers on this web site.
When you can control your inhibitions, you will accept those of others. The laws will protect us from our selves.
The Village Black Smith
It takes a village to make things work. Even a village with folks like Novice who continue to enthrall us with his satirical posts. Keep up the good work, Novice. We need a chuckle now and then.
Dando and Pandori tried in 1997: From the Merc: (Barry Witt)
“Software designed to block sexually explicit material on the World Wide Web will not be installed on computers in San Jose libraries, the city council decided Tuesday after a 90-minute debate”
““I can’t think of anything worse than government and politicians getting into the role of censors,” Mayor Susan Hammer said as she led an 8-3 vote to reject”
Voting against filters:
Diaz
Diquisto
Fernandes
Fiscalini
Johnson
Pandori
Powers
Shirakawa
For:
Dando
Pandori
Woody
They event voted against a compromise – filters on the computers in the CHILDREN AREA.
Geesh.
Here I am all looking forward to agreeing with JVZ for a change, and the thread turns into a poo fight between “free SPEECH-niks” and those suffering from “uncontrolled hysteria.”
News flash, folks: Anyone who decides to rub one out at the Public Library (or just in public in general) is subject to arrest, being named a “sex offender”, being eligible for all the fringe benefits of Jessica’s Law, etc., etc. Thus, ostensibly normal people will not do it, and therefore the only ones who will probably have some other problems going on, and Da Law has means to deal with those folks as well.
A middle ground, in my mind, would be to require identification of some type of all patrons on the premises at all times, whether library card or ASI student body card or CDL or whatever. Further, anyone using the ‘puter lab should be REQUIRED to check in (with their ID held at the desk) whilst they do their “research.” Upon completion, they get their card and go about their business. No records kept, no money exchanged, little if any intrusion into anyone’s ‘personal lives.’ At UCLA, after a certain time, the library is restricted to students only, and those without a Bruin Card are ejected. There’s no reason this cannot happen at SJSU as well.
I find it regrettable that the Library, which should stand as a monument to what can happen when the City and the University actually work together with some measure of harmony, is getting beaten up because a few people take liberties and then the TV media makes a splashy big deal about it.
JD thinks regrets the library is getting beaten up “because a few people <u>take liberties</u>.”
Go Read can’t understand the focus on “arrests for <u>inappropriate behavior</u> at the library.”
Ed Itor thinks this is a “<u>small problem</u>”.
Such are the reactions to at least ten cases of child molestation or other sex crimes involving kids at the library in the past year.
Some village you have there Gil.
33. As Novice has demonstrated in this thread it also takes a village to produce a Village Idiot.
And now we’re down to lame insults.
To recap the action:
Go Read A Book’s points were thus:
– the library is one of the few bright spots in SJ (if – as Jane Light recommends – you avert your eyes to the pedophilia, sexual assaults on children, masturbation, and viewing of child porn on library computers that occurs at MLK)
– unfettered/unfiltered internet access cannot be compromised. (books on library shelves are a different matter altogether – filtering and censorship by leftist librarians is ok)
Game. Set. Match.
Don’t feel bad Go Read A Book.
There’s an entire wing at SJI that houses the smoldering wreckage of others that have tried and failed. BTW, when you see him, say hello to Downtown Brown for me.
#35. I’m glad The Village Idiot feel he’s won his ping-pong match. May he feel free to put the imaginary trophy next to his imaginary library while the imaginary crowd cheers his delusions of grandeur.
The library, through it’s “anything goes” internet policy, is creating an ‘enticement’ that is attracting the most vile of criminal elements and putting the most innocent and defenseless of our society at risk.
Of this there is absolutely no doubt.
To continue with hairsplitting and hypotheticals on an issue that is nothing if not about the safety, health, and well being of children is nauseating to put it mildly.
It appears to me that the only place where doubt does not exist is in Novice’s mind, which is unfortunate.
However, given the above information, I would assume that Novice does not possess a television? Or if he does, that it is tuned strictly to Animal Planet or CSPAN? Because when we are discussing ‘safety, health and well being of children,’ television is a far more dangerous institution than is the University Library.
Furthermore, I also believe that if such horrid spectacles were occurring to the frequency with which Novice believes that they are in the SJ public library system, the uproar in the media would not just be constrained to one television station which is trying to shore up its slipping ratings in the San Jose portion of the market with a splashy IIBIL presentation.
Of that I am fairly certain.
I also note that Novice ducked the question of whether or not alcohol should be served at entertainment venues based on the enticement therein resulting in drunken driving (a far more provable danger to the health and well being of all in the society) whilst proclaiming that scenario to be ‘hairsplitting and hypotheticals.’
A facility (be it municipally or privately owned) does not give license to conduct illegal activities by providing unfettered access to a legal product. If it turns out that facility is being over-run by people who have a tendency to engage in said illegal activity, then it is the responsibility of the police and the facility to prevent that from happening.
IOW, in short words and simple phrases for the benefit of Novice: The responsibility for the illegal acts described in the KGO-TV piece lies not in the product or service provided by the library, but with the person who uses that product or service for illegal reasons.
JD – I usually agree with your comments but on this I truly suspect an ACLU crackhead has hijacked your alias.
‘television is a far more dangerous institution than is the University Library.’
Tell that to the families of the 10+ kids that have been molested at the MLK library in the past year.
BTW JD, how many kids need to be molested at MLK library before *you* think we have a problem? 20? 50? What’s your magic number?
And again with alchohol and the bar? Under ‘intellectual circlejerk’ in Websters find a picture of JD talking about the bar.
“The responsibility for the illegal acts described in the KGO-TV piece lies not in the product or service provided by the library, but with the person who uses that product or service for illegal reasons.”
That is absolute 100% pure insanity.
Novice – While you are busy congratulating yourself, I would remind you that, had you read my entire post, you would have seen that I limited my commentary strictly to the joint facility at 4th and San Fernando, which still, in my mind, stands as a hallmark of what can happen when the City and the University actually cooperate on something, and which is getting unfairly tarnished because of the bad behavior of scumbags who should rot in jail for long, long sentences.
That said, I would ask Novice the question: Who is responsible for that aforementioned bad behavior: the person who conducts the behavior, or the facility in which it occurs (assuming the facility contains ‘enticements’)?
I would submit, based on your commentary on this matter, that you feel that the latter is much closer to the truth.
In that case, would you then state that it would be a good thing to shut down any and all venues where alcohol is consumed, as they contain enticements that might result in drunken driving? Because that is precisely the thought path you have demonstrated on this thread.
And pardon me for saying so, but that scares the living shyte out of me.
There is no ‘right’ without the complementary ‘responsibility.’ When you remove the ‘responsibility,’ the ‘right’ will eventually wither and die. But, Novice, what you propose is precisely that.
“The responsibility for the illegal acts described in the KGO-TV piece lies not in the product or service provided by the library, but with the person who uses that product or service for illegal reasons.”
…until it is proven that the product or service has become a menace to public safety.
I’ll say it for the last time. There is absolutely no doubt – none – that the library internet policy has created an ‘enticement’ that is putting an unsuspecting public at risk.
For Jane Light to continue to advocate for ‘free speech’ (God only knows what ‘free speech’ means to a librarian) and no change to the internet policy in the face of mounting sex crimes at the library shows a complete and total disregard for public safety.
Why should I be incensed? You and others weigh in on this issue like we’re talking about books being stolen from the library.
“If there is a problem, then it is the responsibility of the library and the police to enforce civil conduct in a civil space. Again, I can’t put it any plainer than that. “
Your suggested Mark Leno-esque solution to this? Take away the sex offenders library card.
For crying out loud, can you picture SJPD hauling a child molester out of the MLK with Jane Light there at the door staring the scum down with the evil eye before taking away his library card?
Oh man.
Are you also saying that is ok for men to browse internet sewage in the presence of little kids at the library?
What the hell ever happened to basic common sense and decency?
People constantly lament, bemoan, and complain that American culture is on the fast track to the sewer. Yet the ‘free speech’ lunacy espoused by Jane Light, the ACLU, and other elitists on this thread is *directly* responsible for the sewage pipe culture that we enjoy today.
Unadulterated as-pure-as-it-gets hypocrisy? You bet.
Living here as long as I have, I’m surprised that I’m even surprised any more.
Gentlemen,
It’s just plain and simple….. These acts do NOT belong in a library or any other public place. Let’s put it this way, do you want a guy masturbating on your front lawn? Do you think that is the right thing for him to do in your front yard? I would assume that the answer is “No”
It’s just a fact that this activity is going on in the libraries and is documented with arrests and complaints. There is nothing to refute. It’s not about if your a Liberal or Conservative it’s about the act of civil and personal morality crimes. There is no sense hitting each other over the head of who is right on this issue. The library is doing nothing about this and the problem continues. It’s easy to close your eyes to something like this, but when our tax $$$‘s pay for a safe friendly library and this type of activity is going on you just can’t close your eyes to it. I plan on contacting the ABC 7 reporter. I wouldn’t be suprised if they do another story about these continuing sex problems at the libraries.
Gentlemen,
I agree with Novice and John. I think they have hit the nail on the head. I was appauled when I saw the KGO 7 spots and Jane Lights reaction to the news. I too have spent many thousands of hours at the Old MLK and the new MLK. I am an old man and see alot lot of things and I have seen some very strange behavior at both libraries. Yes that includes masturbation and sex acts in the stairwells. Don’t get me started about the restrooms that have homeless sleeping and bathing in them. The old library used to have some some interesting situations go on there too. I agree that there are some major problems with safety and security at the MLK and branch locations. But to tell you the truth Jane light doesn’t care about the sex and the drugs and the homless that keep nice families from going to the libraries. I would not leave my grandchild there alone or out of my sight for a second knowing what I know about the creeps that frequent the library system. Maybe this should be brought to City Council to see what they have to say about it? That keeps us all from fighting about so “whacko” masturbating at the computer terminal… And I have seen that act happen more that once! I always call for security at the New MLK but no one comes to do anything about it… At the old MLK security would tke care of business in a hurry and you would never see that guy back in the building again. I would assume that the security guys arrested the creep? Good Job! In the words of a the great american poet from South Central Los Angeles (Rodney King-circa 1991) ” Can’t we all just get along???”
No, Novice, it is me, and my nick has not been hijacked.
What you interpret as ‘insanity’ is two people who (by and large) find themselves on the same side of an issue, but this time we happen not to be.
It is regrettable that you have let conjecture and passion lead you down the path you evidently wish to choose in this issue.
The molesters are responsible for the molesting, not the library. I can’t put it any plainer than that.
If there is a problem, then it is the responsibility of the library and the police to enforce civil conduct in a civil space. Again, I can’t put it any plainer than that.
I fail to see what troubles you with that logical stance, nor do I care to look any more. What passes for thought in your mind has evidently turned to incensed and irrational rhetoric, thus giving the overwhelmingly liberal populace on this board more ammunition with which to bash conservatives over the head.
And once again, I can’t put it any plainer than that.
Frank you are absolutely right and you are to be commended for surfacing this issue that to date has apparently managed not to show up on the Merc’s radar.
All those at SJI are to be commended as well for providing this invaluable forum for local issues. SJI has done great community service in raising the public’s local issues IQ. I know I’ve learned a lot here.
Thanks Novice,
But this is a sick problem that needs to be addressed! Have you thought of alerting the Merc? If anyone can give me an answer to if they are for having a guy from the library masturbating on your front lawn and support that kind of behavior then I know that some folks here may have some serious issues of what is moral and what is just plain sick, I hope that something can be done to protect our children from this type of activity when they are at the libraries in this city.
Frank,
The Merc would be a waste of time IMO.
Here’s a better place to start. http://www.sanjoseca.gov/council.html
Gil, You missed the entire point of what they are talking about… No one in city government is doing anything about the problem is what I get from the prior posts. Not only that, isn’t that why these blogs are here for? I guess some of us don’t want to hear the truth so avert your eyes from the masturbation topic.
Actually, it appears nobody on this blog knows if the city is doing anything about this problem or not. There has been a lot of hot air based on a news story on KGO (therefore it must be true). Even if the story is true as reported, no one here has contacted the city to determine how this is being handled. It’s basically a police issue but some folks here want to string-up the librarian, filter the computers, and denigrate those who also have concerns about free-speech issues (that pesky Constitution again.)
When one of these burn down the library types comes up with some facts to support their attacks then I’ll start to listen. They would have us believe there is rampant masturbation and child molesting occurring in the library and nobody (including the police) cares. I don’t think so, but then again I’m grounded in reality.
Hugh racing?
That sounds interesting – I know only 1 hugh – he’s not very fast – and I can’t imagine it’d be much fun to watch him run – but what the heck, hugh racing is a welcome respite from this grim library thread.
What I don’t understand is about the removing of palm trees. Are hugh’s easily distracted and prone to climb trees or something?
Do they have age brackets or do they put all the hughs out on a track at the same time and race ‘em? That wouldn’t seem very fair but I’m all new to this.
If by chance there was TV coverage (ESPN 8 perhaps? “The Ocho”) and anyone Tivo’d it – I’d love to see it.
I guess enough with the questions already. But one thing I do know for sure, there’s always seems to be something wacky going on in Gil’s ‘village’.
Can some one help me understand how Jack Van Zandt’s wonderful post could come to become a soap box for Novice and Jmo, and the old man of the library and masturbation.
I have to belive that our Chief of Police and the management of the Library have focused on this issue.
An opportunity of respondsibility exists here. If we can vote for a hugh races with removing palm trees and bringing the A’s to our Village, spend millions on “stuff”. what’s up with a little security at a few PC’S.
Novice, Jmo,Old man, put together a masturbation Patrol, be advisers to the Mayor, you could canvas the whole darn Village, it seems you have the experience on how to finger these guys. The Art of Higher Learning would be forever grateful to you.
The Village Black Smith
Reading all the comments about the MLK Library, I like to present the man who started it all.
Adolph Pfister.
Pfister was a German Pioneer who was the founder of the first free public Library in San Jose. Adolph was was born in Strassburg, Elsass, in 1821. He arrived in California in 1847. In 1870 he was elected Mayor of San Jose and served two terms. On April 3rd 1871, 135 years ago today, a meeting was held regarding the library attended by YMCA representatives, who offered several hundred books from the YMCA reading room to any board of trustees who might establish a free library. At that meeting Pfister immediately wrote a check for $1,000 and pledged to donate his salary as mayor. Adolph stated: ” It is my desire that by establishing this library, care should be taken to keep it free from sectarianism, and make it in fact as well as in name, a public library.”
By this single action he set in motion a fund drive, which opened a window to the world for the citizens of San Jose. Pfister tended to the library by serving the institution for 17 years as a trustee, 10 as its president.
It was above his store, at the corner of Santa Clara and First Street, that the “Germania Verein Amateur Orchestra, practiced.” This Orchestra was the foundation of the San Jose Symphony. Adolph himself was an accomplished musician.
Alum Rock, became a park during his administration.
By promoting the library, the orchestra and the park Adolph, in his foresight, provided an environment that would nourish and sustain the soul of this rapidly growing population for generations.
As a journey man Adolph traveled in France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy Wandering from to workshop was expected of a young man, who wanted to become a master of his trade
Adolph did not only improve his skills as a tinsmith, but learned several languages and cultures along the way, above all, he learned tolerance.
All these experiences benefited him as well as the residents of San Jose.
He was known for his honesty. His store served as a Bank when there was no bank in town. Miners and others left their valuables with Adolph and could be sure everything was intact when they returned, sometimes years later.
He knew human nature and could have easily manipulated his fellow men, but instead he chose to live an exemplary life. He was a freethinker, who probably knew a poem by Goethe. Here is my translation: “Noble be man, helpful and good, for that alone raises him above all other creatures.”
Adolph was generous by nature but he had his limits as the following anecdote will show.
When members of the Methodist Church came to ask for funds to build a church he gave $1,000. The church people had underestimated their need and asked Pfister for another donation. This time he gave $500. When the church burned down he again was asked to donate. This time Adolph vigorously shook his head and said:” No, no, I build God one church. If he is such a fool as to burn it down, I won’t build him another.”
Now let’s hear about Louisa, his wife.
As the saying goes:” Behind every successful man is a loving women.”
Louisa was the sister of Karl Glein, a fellow journeyman whom Pfister had befriended during his travels. They lost contact with each other in Paris.
Upon arrival in San Francisco Pfister stayed at a long, low adobe building, which served as a hotel. The first person he ran into was his long lost friend, Karl Glein. They talked of Europe /and tried to catch up where they had left off several years ago.
Glein told Adolph about a pretty little sister he had at home. He would bring her back when visiting Germany because, he said:” She will make you a good wife”Adolph agreed but had to wait for Karl went back to the mines to make a fortune
Karl was the first man to take California gold to Germany. It all was like magic.
Glein was invited to the court of the “Grand Duke of Hesse” to convey the facts as he knew them about a land called, California.The newspapers reported the meeting. Louisa and her family read about this adventurer, who had returned from America, not knowing the commotion was caused by her brother, Karl.
On August 5, 1849, Karl Louisa, her sister Mary and her newly wed husband Henry Messing, boarded a two masted sailing vessel in Bremen with Captain Steege at the helm and set sail for California.
The journey took them to Rio de Janeiro, around Cape Horn, Valparaiso and on to San Francisco. On April 8, 1850, almost eight months after they had left Germany the captain lowered the boats and the passengers rowed to shore; there was no wharf. They had arrived at their final destination, San Francisco.
The wait for Adolph was over. Louisa and Adolph were married seven weeks later.
The ceremony took place on May 29, 1850 at Grace Chapel, in San Francisco.
The couple had six children. Adolph and Louisa lived to celebrate their Golden anniversary. Adolph became a citizen of the United States on August 22, 1855 as is recorded at the County Court in Alameda.
Adolph was one of the founders of the Germania Verein (club) This organization granted equal voting rights to the women as early as 1875. The club was founded in 1856 and will celebrate its 150 anniversary.
Adolph was community oriented and this tradition continued. One of his sons became a justice, the other a county clerk. His granddaughter Louisa Ayer was the first woman to serve on the board of supervisors, 1935.
Adolph lived the American dream.
The strength of Adolph’s character is well expressed in the plaque created by artist Gil Hernandez.
We have come a long way to honor Adolph Pfister,a deserving pioneer and great human being. We are proud to present this plaque to the library and the citizens of San Jose.
Thank you – Maria Brand
Hey guys my name is Hugh, I have been racing on the track in downtown for the last couple of years. All be it, I don’t run that fast nor do I have a car just like Gil. I don’t have any sponsers to help with costs of being a Hugh racer, but it is very costly to be Hugh racer because we us up a lot of money. Yes, I miss the palm trees that the city removed. I liked to climb those trees but they didn’t have any coconuts? But you know I think all the nuts are at the library with the masturbators. They are at the library computer terminal next to ricky and gil. Great psot Novice!
If anybody’s looking for me I’ll be at the library.
Well, Novice, unlike you who just talks about the problem, I am taking action. I am gathering signatures from everybody on a petition asking the City to close all the libraries. We must stop pandering to these degenerates by taking away their playgrounds. Let them go back to the parks, public restrooms, or wherever else they go, but we must stop them in the library. If we don’t, we will have to stop them in our homes, our restaurants, and who knows where else. So, join me and sign the petition when you see them being circulated. Action must be taken—we must stop the libraries NOW before it is too late!!
Wake up people!
What do you expect is going to happen when your library is founded by Mr. Pfister?
T for A,
I’m all for action too – but first I have to find a babysitter, kryptonite chastity belt, and industrial strength hand-sanitizer and you can bet your Chomsky Reader that I’m gonna be all over that downtown library like sprouts on a vegan sandwich.
Is That all you got, Novice? You got busted!
D.O.A.
#57. Novice: I guess you’ll also be “all over” churches, schools, Little Leauge, Boy Scouts and anyplace else perverts have been known to seek out kids? Once you’ve taken care of that problem we will turn you loose on all of the dark corners of San Jose where people might mastrubate. You’re going to be busy.
#59. You’re absolutely right, I don’t think we have any idea the magnitude of the problem.
When those in charge of the CA state safety commission (Mark Leno and Jackie Goldberg) do everything they can to block measures that would alert and protect the public from these monsters – how can we possibly know?
Once again, Novice makes my point: there is no subject that he cannot find a way to blame Liberals, the Left, etc. I guess you’re ready to clamp down on Congress because of that flaming Left winger, Mark Foley?? Oops, my mistake—he was on the Right, wasn’t he?
Novice, if you ever get a clue and realize that not every problem is society can be blamed on the Left, then maybe you will find a way to add something positive and constructive to this site and our community. Until then, are you doing anything to make San Jose a better place to live or are you just sitting at your keyboard finding new ways to blame everything on the Left?
Rocky,
You shoulda listened to Paulie and stayed down.
This Mark Foley scandal is absolutely not limited to those of one political orientation or the other. No argument there.
You honestly cannot deny that in this state, the left/the ACLU/our state’s public safety tandem of Mark Leno and Jackie Goldberg *always* comes down on the side of sex criminals over public safety every single time.
You mentioned clues? Here’s a couple of truly nauseating clues for you.
SB 33 (Battin-R) Child Sexual Abuse
This bill removes judicial discretion and eliminates probation sentencing option for those convicted of intra-familial child molestation crimes. Current law authorizes probation under very limited circumstances.
ACLU Position – Oppose
Status – Pending in Assembly Appropriations
Mark Leno / Jackie Goldberg Opposed
AB 438 (Parra-D) Sex Offenders
This bill would allow landlords to deny housing to, or to evict sex offenders listed on the Megan’s Internet based website. This bill would also allow the landlord to notify other tenants of the presence of the sex offender.
ACLU Position – Oppose
Status – Two Year Bill
Mark Leno / Jackie Goldberg Opposed
MLK Library at 150 East San Fernando St & 4th Street which is San Jose Police Dept’s BBB 184 which includes SJSU campus
Look up 12 month crime reports at
http://www.sjpd.org/PoliceData.cfm
There are very few reported indecent exposure ( 6) or sexual assault ( 6) crimes in that police beat for the last 12 months
While even 1 is unacceptable – SJI discussion seems to indicate a major problem at MLK while the crime numbers do not reflect this discussed problem.
This looks like another weekly SJI ” don’t let the fact confuse you” – “rant and name calling session
SJI’s Old Timers – you know who you are – will again declare – we did not have these problems or – we all knew how to fix them – in San Jose’s “Good Old Times”
Are crimes actually happening but are not reported?
Is MLK actually safer or worst than other public spaces?
Do you really want more downtown “Police State” tactics at MLK during the day since many complaint about downtown’s closing time “Police State” tactics?
What are the facts – do we have a ” problem ” or it is just be an unfortunate part of urban life in a democracy
I’m only going to do it until I need glasses.
SJ’s population is almost 1 million with thousands of registered sex offenders so we have a few more masturbators, perverts, sexual assualts – life in California and ever where else
Do your civic duty use your picture phone and then call 911 and have them added to jail population and registered sex offenders list
Problem solved except over crowded jails and no rehabilitation for mentally ill who make many of our homeless and criminals
Check the news tonight…. BART has a masturbator problem now! These guys are everywhere! They have some great video of the the act and assault on a woman that was on the BART train she was the victim of a sexual assault. Or possibly enitre story on KRON 4 was made up because of this discussion here on this blog? Just hope none of you have kids, wives,girl friends or mothers. If you do have any female family members or kids I feel sorry for them. Oh and please go back to BERKELEY and the 1960’s You left your VW Microbus idling outside of the library in a no parking zone!
So turning your head makes it all go away… and that make it ok to shun your responsibility? It’s not that easy 911. But since your an expert on handling these situations we will send these guys to your house to masturbate on your front lawn, I’m sure you’ll like that. Oh that’s right, card board boxes don’t have front lawns.
Ooh, good one, Fred (67). What was your point? Posting childish insults certainly didn’t add to the quality of the discussion (granted, in many cases the quality has been lacking in this discussion).
Anyway, try a little harder and maybe actually add something of substance to the discussion.
Thanks.
Has anyone heard anymore about this horrible problem within the library system? Guys lets not finger point, but come together to see if our city will do something about this problem. It appears that they wish to dodge the problem but we don’t know that for sure. It is a shock that this activity would be so rampet in the library system. Lets look at the new administration to see what they do about this problem. But you know without the money the city used to have for safety issues not a lot can be done, oh that’s right that money is now being givien to the special interest groups. What a trade off!?