Libraries = Homeless Shelters

My days of going to the library have been certainly diminished with the advent of the INTERNET. My thesis research days are long past as well. However, that does not mean that libraries do not greatly serve communities providing reading & research environments to children. Reading, something that should be stressed even more than already presently is done. However, libraries have come under assault recently as being a place to loiter for many and Houston Public Libraries look like the intend to put an end to it.

Those who want to browse books at Houston’s public libraries should get enough sleep, eat and bathe before they begin to peruse the shelves.

On Wednesday, the City Council passed a series of library regulations that some say are an attempt to discourage homeless people from visiting the public buildings.

Library officials said people have been using the libraries as temporary shelters, restaurants and changing stations. The new ordinance prohibits sleeping on tables, eating, using restrooms for bathing and “offensive bodily hygiene that constitutes a nuisance to others.”

Two council members voted against the ordinance, saying it was a direct attack on the homeless.

“I understand what they’re trying to do, but when you start targeting a community like the homeless, I think that’s poor policy,” council member Ada Edwards said.

Mayor Bill White said there have been several complaints from the public about abuse of the city’s libraries.

Folks, a library is not a homeless shelter. I am sure that no one in the Houston Council or any where for that matter would probably even care if homeless individuals did not bath and were actually using the library for its intended purpose, READING!!! The fact that we want to take children’s rights or any one else that wishes to use a library for the homeless right is puzzling. I am sure I know which side the ACLU will come down on this issue.

This is obviously not a new problem as many communities have tried to address the situation of homeless using libraries as day shelters.

Coming from personal experience in our local community the same issue exists. So we are supposed to have children go to a library where there are other people there who have no intention of using the library for its educational resources. It would not be so bad if some of the homeless in turn did not panhandle. What parent in this day and age is going to allow their child go to a library and have strangers come up to them. If parents do not allow their children to go because of fear of leaving them in a public place with individuals that have no real reason to be there, then the funding becomes difficult as no one in a community will support something that no one uses.

Advertising Revenue on Google and Yahoo will Beat Network’s Primetime

From Ad Age From Jeff Jarvis:

Yahoo and Google’s total ad revenues this year could rival the combined prime-time ad revenues of ABC, CBS, and NBC — a stunning achievement for the companies and a watershed moment [read: tipping point -ed] for the Internet as an advertising medium.

In terms of revenue, Google’s estimated $3 billion and Yahoo’s $2.9 billion compare with $6.2 billion for the big nets’ prime time. And their market cap is up with the big boys: Google is No. 2 behind Time Warner; Yahoo is No. five behind Disney and News Corp. as well.

“The results from Google and Yahoo combined with softness in traditional media, offer the strongest evidence yet of the dramatic changes occurring in the media and marketing landscape,” Tony Mastin, analyst at William Blair & Co. wrote.

In terms of measured media spending, the Internet was already bigger than outdoor, TV syndication and national newspapers, according to TNS Media Intelligence.

This is a truly amazing development and another tipping point in the growth of online media.

Election 2008: McCain 45% Clinton 38%

According to The Rasmussen Reports polling information
McCain beats Clinton 45% to 38% in the 2008 Presidential Election

Rudy Giuliani beats Hillary42% to 40%

April 27, 2005–Given a choice between Republican John McCain and Democrat Hillary Clinton, 45% of Americans today say they’d vote for McCain. Thirty-eight percent (38%) for Clinton.

If the Republican in the race was Rudy Giuliani, it’s a toss-up–42% for Giuliani and 40% for Clinton.

Both Republicans in the poll are viewed favorably by 48% of Americans. Giuliani is viewed unfavorably by 25%, McCain by 24%.

Senator Clinton is viewed favorably by 41% and unfavorably by 42%. Rasmussen Reports publishes a Hillary Meter every other week to track the former First Lady’s effort to move toward the political center.

Giuliani does a bit better than McCain among Republican voters while McCain makes slightly bigger inroads among Democrats.

Among those not affiliated with either major party, McCain leads Clinton 38% to 29%. Clinton leads Giuliani 36% to 30% among unaffiliateds.

Sixty-four percent (64%) of conservatives have a favorable opinion of Giuliani. Just 51% have a favorable opinion of McCain.

Self-identified liberals are evenly divided in their opinion of Giuliani (35% favorable, 37% unfavorable). However, liberals have a far more positive view of McCain (45% favorable, 26% unfavorable).

Despite the more positive opinion of McCain, liberal voters would vote for Clinton over McCain by a 71% to 16% margin.

Assuming this will occur; however, I cannot see in any way that the Republican Party would ever nominate John Mc Cain.

Also on the Liberal Hillary meter, Hillary is up 4 from last week.

Hillary Meter: 47% Liberal
30% Definitely Vote For, 40% Definitely Vote Against

April 20, 2005–Today’s Hillary Meter shows that perceptions of the New York Senator have moved four points to the left over the past two weeks.

Forty-seven percent (47%) of Americans now believe New York Senator Hillary Clinton is politically liberal. That’s up from 43% two weeks ago, but down from 51% in late January

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Laura Bush; As Popular as Ever

Laura Bush is the definition of class and style. I guarantee you George W. Bush thanks her every night for Laura, just being Laura.

Laura is also #4 as reasons why Democrats lose elections. Was there ever a choice at all who this country wanted as First Lady, Laura or Teresa? That was an easy call.

Gee Honey, Look What I Found in the Back Yard

Oh sure, I could be so lucky. All I ever seem to find other than more work to do in my back yard is more rocks. Not the same can be said for Tim Crebase of Methuen, MA who found a stash of cash buried in his yard.

Crebase said two men with him when he uncovered the box, as well as the owner of the Methuen house where he lives, agree the treasure, estimated to be worth as much as $75,000, is his.

“I’m the one who found it,” he said.

Crebase said he’ll make sure his new wealth doesn’t cause new rifts.

“I’d rather burn the money than cause problems between me and my friends,” said Crebase, who was in New York on Wednesday for cable and network TV interviews.

Yeah that’s it, I’m burning the money boys. I’m going down to the bank no the dump to burn the money, yeah. In all seriousness, if he burned the money he may in fact create issues with his buddies. Split it up and off to the North End you go.

The total stash was about 1,800 bills dating between 1899 and 1929 and piles of gold and silver certificates.

“I thought I was in a dream looking at this stuff,” said Mangano, who estimated the value of the find at between $50,000 to $75,000.

A pretty good days work in the back yard. There is no truth to the rumor that Red will be digging up every inch of his back yard this weekend.

Update: The buried treasure is worth more than $100,000, according to a coin shop owner.