Stephen Harper and Federal Conservatives War on Science

[kirant]

Originally Posted by Ex libris

Well one thing is, libraries pay for the subscription to those online databases, so if the physical library is closed, there is no access - which means paying upwards of $30 or $60 or even more for the right to view/use one article.

Okay, now I'm a little confused. Another article on the subject seemed to indicate that they were going to make the databases of the materials from the libraries they're closing publicly available. Are there some details in the article that aren't exactly correct?

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/daily...234244717.html

The government is closing seven of its 11 DFO libraries by next year. Officials have said no information will be lost, claiming important information will be digitized and made publicly accessible, and only duplicate hard copy material will be destroyed. However critics point to dumpsters full of books and have raised concerns important historical data could be lost.

[Ex libris]

Originally Posted by kirant

Okay, now I'm a little confused. Another article on the subject seemed to indicate that they were going to make the databases of the materials from the libraries they're closing publicly available. Are there some details in the article that aren't exactly correct?

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/daily...234244717.html

Ah, I hadn't seen that, so yeah that would make a big difference. Although, this quote from that same article leads me to believe that they are saying they will digitize the collections but may not actually follow through?

"The cuts were carried out in great haste apparently in order to meet some unknown agenda," the scientist said. "No records have been provided with regard to what material has been dumped or the value of this public property. No formal attempt was made to transfer material to libraries of existing academic institutions."
The process has been haphazard, critics say, adding they're skeptical key material will be digitized.
DeYoung noted the government promised to digitize collections housed at Library and Archives Canada after making cuts there.
"But there is nothing in that example that shows a clear strategy with a timeline and commitment of resources to achieve that," she said.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by Ex libris

Ah, I hadn't seen that, so yeah that would make a big difference. Although, this quote from that same article leads me to believe that they are saying they will digitize the collections but may not actually follow through?

That worried me too. They claim they will, but words are just that. I could easily see them lost to the private databases/destroyed while we're talking about the next big story.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by kirant

This got me thinking: would it be better to introduce more parties to split the vote? One thing I've felt for a while is that, while more unstable, the minority governments seem to do a better job at not becoming complete asshats as much as majority governments, which is basically 5 free years of whatever they want.

Without proportional representation, more parties (if they are poorly positioned) actually reinforce the majority governments you so dislike.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by SebC

Without proportional representation, more parties (if they are poorly positioned) actually reinforce the majority governments you so dislike.

That is true; adding more parties like the Green in representation will do nothing. There would need to be more parties which could stand a chance at winning seats.

Failing that, yes it would reinforce the majorities and proportional representation would work more effectively at avoiding that result. The concern in Canada is that it can easily distribute to only Liberal/PC or [higher % party of Liberal/PC]/[3rd party] governments in the case of a fallout between the two parties since I'm pretty sure the Liberal/PC governments have won over 50% for quite some time.

Though another alternative might be to set the % of parliament in agreement to pass a bill higher...something like 66%. Only time I can think of a majority in that case was during Mulroney's era. Never tried theory-ing that one out though, so I'm not sure if there's a major flaw in it.

[Flash Walken]

Great contributions Ex Libris.

As someone who can read and write, it is infuriating that LIBRARIES will be closed as a cost cutting measure.

It's like a conservative wet dream. "Want to read? Well, buy a book." Unfortunately, however, we should be aspiring to have everyone educate themselves as cheaply as possible.

As digital as things are getting, the library itself, the physical building, is the gateway to that information.

[jofillips]

its also largely about access to information for those who can't afford it

[Brannigans Law]

Is there anything more conservative than a dumpster full of books on fire?

[Ex libris]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

As digital as things are getting, the library itself, the physical building, is the gateway to that information.

Yep. One more quote to show the value of library staff - I know, I'm biased! - but it is a great loss:

One of the problems Mueller couldn't work around was the disappearance of librarians who could help him in his search for scientific literature. The report said the number of in-house librarians went from 40 in 2007 to just six in April 2013.
"The librarian would sit down with me and specifically design the searches for what I needed," said Mueller.
"A librarian is far better at doing a literature search than I am," added Mueller. "It's their profession."
James Turk, executive director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers, sympathized with Mueller's frustration.
"Knowledgeable and expert librarians and archivists are invaluable resources in helping you find what you want," he said.
"So they [Health Canada] are not just closing physical collections of books. They are getting rid of the guides to those collections."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/heal...ling-1.2499217

[troutman]

I believe the printed word is more than sacred
Beyond the gauge of good or bad
The human right to let your soul fly free and naked
Above the violence of the fearful and sad
The church of matches
Anoints in ignorance with gasoline
The church of matches
Grows fat by breathing in the smoke of dreams
It's quite obscene
Books are burning
More each day now, and I pray now
You boys will tire of these games
Books are burning
I hope somehow, this will allow
A phoenix up from the flames

[Daradon]

Wow, great stuff by Ex libris, thanks for adding to the discussion! Skimmed over this discussion as it went the way of Israel and missed it the first time around.

EDIT: In the theme of asking the pros for the guidance in research, what is the difference (if any) of Federal Public Libraries and a Public Library? Also any news (again if applicable) on if this will have any effect on the planned new downtown Calgary library?

[Ex libris]

Originally Posted by Daradon

EDIT: In the theme of asking the pros for the guidance in research, what is the difference (if any) of Federal Public Libraries and a Public Library?

Do you mean, what is the difference in terms of getting research help from federal library librarians vs. public library librarians? Sorry, just not clear on the question

[V]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Perhaps you should move to North Korea where you don't have to worry about you right to vote......

I thought it was a duty?

[Tinordi]

b b b but guys guys, remember the Liberals? They're the bad guys.

Sincerely,

Conservative partisans

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

In addition to this, I'm questioning our departure from a friendly, neutral observer in the global politics sphere to an opinionated, partisan mouthpiece. Harper's current visit to Israel and his speech to the Knesset yesterday is a good example of that, and I am sickening that he thinks Canadians feel the same.

This goof can't get replaced soon enough.

Question is, is anyone else competent to take over? History does not make me confident.

The worst kind of opinionated mouthpiece as well, because everyone just laughs at the loudmouth who can never back up his words.

[Devils'Advocate]

And how much money was lost in the sponsorship scandal? 1/100th of what the Conservatives gave to Jordan this week. And half he money wasted on that fake lake the Conservatives created for the G-8 summit.

As for the "War on Science", I really recommend that people watch the CBC documentary "Silence of the Labs". The link was posted earlier. I almost made it all the way through, but it was getting too painful with me beating my head against a wall the whole time....

[cancer man]

Originally Posted by Brannigans Law

I can't wait to vote against this jack ass again. Hopefully this time Trudeau wins and we get a change.

I'am still voting pc so i guess i cancel your vote.Trudeau are you kidding me.

[John Doe]

Originally Posted by cancer man

I'am still voting pc so i guess i cancel your vote.Trudeau are you kidding me.

Yeah? Well, I'm voting NDP. Looks like we have a Mexican standoff!

[Brannigans Law]

Originally Posted by cancer man

I'am still voting pc so i guess i cancel your vote.Trudeau are you kidding me.

lol what is this king of the hill? go ahead and vote for dubbya I dont care I'll vote commie!

edit: and harper? are you kidding me? see how easy that is

[boosterjuice]

Canada has flourished under Harper's leadership. I love what he and the conservatives have done for country.