On behalf of Salem resident, Anaka Hunter, the ACLU last week filed a complaint against the City of Salem, Missouri, its public library’s Board of Trustees, and the library’s director.
The ACLU maintain that the ‘Netsweeper’ content filtering software used by the library is unconstitutionally limiting Hunter’s ability to access information on ‘minority’ religious views, specifically sites related to Native American religions and Wicca.
While trying to do research on her own Native American heritage, as well as on the Wiccan faith, Hunter discovered that the sites she was trying to access were being blocked.
The reasons given were that they contained content related to the ‘occult’ and/or ‘criminal skills’.
To understand how ludicrous this situation is, take a look at some of the sites Hunter was denied access to:
Interestingly enough, Christian discussions on pagan and occult practices were not blocked by the software.
According to the complaint, library director Glenda Wofford told Hunter that library staff will only allow people to view blocked websites if the content in those sites pertain to their jobs, or they’re writing a paper, or if it’s determined by the staff, that the person inquiring has some legitimate purpose for viewing the content.
Wofford also noted that she was required to inform the proper authorities about anyone she believed might misuse the information being requested.
Personally speaking, I can’t imagine why any of the websites listed above are considered a threat to Salem residents. And it’s absolutely outrageous that Native American traditions are being classified as occult or potentially illegal.
And what do they mean by ‘occult ‘ and ‘criminal skills’ anyway?
I’m glad that the ACLU took up this case, and I wish them and Ms. Hunter success with it.
Today you’ll likely see some movement. The Chariot is the card of change, the card that takes you places. Having finally determined the direction you’d like to go, now is the time to get cracking and go there.
Changing jobs, moving house or some sort of travel are the larger manifestations of the Chariot energy. Sometimes though, it might bring no more than a strong desire to redecorate your living room or go for a long drive.
However it plays out, try not to give up if the going gets a little tough. More often then not, just sticking it out and playing for real is all it takes to ensure victory. You’ve come this far already, why would you give up now?
As promised yesterday, we have an update on Grandpa the Psychic Monkey’s predictions for the New Hampshire Republican primary. I don’t know what to think of them though.
As you can see in the NY Daily News clip below, Grandpa ignored conventional wisdom and chose Newt Gingrich as the frontrunner.
When offered an array of bananas all representing particular candidates, he went right to the Gingrich banana, snapped it up and ate it.
Though he grabbed the Huntsman banana at the same time he took the Gingrich one, he didn’t actually eat it until he’d finished off the two marked Santorum and Perry.
And he completely ignored both the Romney and Paul bananas, leaving them for another monkey.
Till now, Grandpa’s record has been good. At least in sports. He picked the winner for last year’s Super Bowl, and six out of nine winners in the US Open.
But maybe politics isn’t his strong point, or it’s possible he knows something we don’t.
He could also just be saying he thinks the whole lot of them are bananas.
The Moon moves into Leo today and stays there until Thursday.
Translated into Tarot cards, this transit would be like the High Priestess is wearing Strength’s clothing. She’s thrown off her heavy cape and is spending some time outside with her lion.
The Moon in Leo, or High Priestess in Strength’s clothing is potentially a time of emotional power. Something beautiful that’s usually under wraps can finally be revealed.
The silence is broken. Quiet wisdom and passion can be united. During this time, it might be difficult to keep your ideas to yourself. But why should you?
Try finding an outlet for plans you’ve been sitting on? This is an opportunity to shine if you’re not over-burdened by self-consciousness.
It might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but letting your wilder side out right now could be positive. The sun isn’t always shining. Take advantage of it when it does.
Waiting and watching will probably be a bit of a preoccupation today. You’ve begun the process and have done all you can for the moment.
This might be a good time to review the steps you’ve taken so far. Make sure that you’ve got yourself balanced before the real journey begins.
Virtue is likely to be a key concept. Virtue here means being true to yourself within and between all your layers – mind, body and spirit.
Are your emotions in line with your thinking? Are you acting in a way that accurately reflects you’re beliefs and feelings? Explore these questions and relax. Your ship will arrive soon.
Tomorrow is the New Hampshire Republican primary. The polls and the pundits have been anticipating a win for Romney, but who knows, politics can be a difficult business to predict.
And for that reason, the New York Daily News decided to look beyond the mainstream commentators to see what a true oracle has to say.
They visited the Staten Island Zoo in order to meet with Grandpa, the black-handed spider monkey who has been credited with correctly predicting outcomes for the US Open and the Super Bowl.
Bananas are Grandpa’s divination tool of choice. In this case, each one represents a particular candidate in the race.
They’re all laid out in a row, under a light covering of hay. Then Grandpa sets to work. Whichever banana he chooses to eat is his projected winner.
Unfortunately, the news report below is nothing but a teaser, and we won’t know who Grandpa chose until sometime later today.
I’ll try to keep on top of the story and will report back tomorrow with an update. If for some reason that’s not possible, I apologize in advance.
But either way, we’ll know who the winner is soon enough.
Today you might find yourself simply working and waiting. You’ve been trying hard but it probably feels like there’s little to show for it. Keep your chin up! You are actively creating change in your life, but it takes time.
Try not to get down on yourself while the process continues. Commitment means sticking through the dull, tough times to reach your goal. You’re well on your way and it would be a shame not to keep going. In fact, the hardest part now is not to give up for fear of failure.
There’s still work ahead, but you’re going in the right direction. Keep plugging away and you will succeed.
Mercury moves into Capricorn today and will stay there until January 27th.
From a Tarot perspective, it’s like the Magician is wearing the Devil’s clothing. He’s ditched the robes and is letting his beard grow.
The Magician is bright, quick, and not easily restrained. He rules his world, a world he created for himself through determination and a focused will.
And he knows how to inspire. He’s a man with a silver tongue and a wit to match.
He’s always got a fresh perspective and all the tools necessary to make his vision a reality.
The Devil is very different sort of character. He’s dark and controlling, and doesn’t bother trying to convince or enchant. He’s more likely to simply demand.
Nor is he particularly interested in concepts of free will, or self-determination. He’s concerned more with the nuts and bolts of things, and when he’s made up his mind he sees no reason for discussion.
He’s sure he’s right and not many have the courage to tell him any different.
The Devil does get things done though, and he plays as hard as he works. If he could just lighten up a bit, he might not be so scary.
The Magician isn’t as comfortable in this position as he is out in the sun, but he likes the Devil’s raw power and will do his best to use it to his advantage.
Mercury in Capricorn, or the Magician dressed as the Devil, can be a time of intense communication and practical inspiration.
There’s an opportunity now to reevaluate areas in your life that seem out of control, or too controlled.
If you’re obsessing on anything, this might be the time to refocus your intentions and use that compulsive type energy in the service of your higher goals rather than towards more of the same old routines that don’t seem to be getting you anywhere.
Communication is especially clear and practical during this transit, though it’s more focused on the physical realities than on philosophical ideals. Use it to plan and restructure, there will be time soon enough to let yourself dream.
And if you don’t try to trick anyone, or force your will on them, it’s a great time to hone your leadership skills. As far as your own life goes, you’re definitely the one in charge.
It looks like it’ll be a sweet day. Open communication full of love and tenderness. This is a day to make sure you tell the people you love how much they mean to you.
If you’re starting a romantic relationship, or in one, it can be especially delicious. Be romantic and enjoy each other. It’s a time of beauty, peace and innocence, the reason we love love so much.
If you’re not feeling romantic, take the energy and let yourself simply express how much you care about those around you.
It will be most powerful if you tell them one-to-one. Let them know they’re special, it’ll make you feel great too.
I was watching the video below about stormy seas and it got me thinking about stormy seas in the Tarot.
Two cards in the Rider Waite Smith deck show boats facing very rough waters, though like the boats in the video, they seem to be up to the challenge.
There’s a ship in the water behind the King of Cups, and two riding the waves in the background of the Two of Pentacles.
Water, of course, is a symbol of the emotions, and a choppy sea suggests emotions that are in turmoil or somehow disturbed.
A boat on a rough sea might represent an emotional journey, or an effort to ‘navigate’ one’s way through an emotionally tumultuous situation.
The King of Cups is surrounded by a turbulent ocean, yet he appears calm, collected, and very grounded, not at any risk of capsizing.
And within the deck that’s this King’s specialty. He understands relationships and how they work.
He’s a master of emotions and when things get rough between people, there’s no one better to turn to for mediation.
In the Two of Pentacles, though the waves are high, the boats stay afloat and the man with the disks keeps on juggling.
This card speaks of an emotional yet practical change, with lots of little details to take care of as you go along.
The lemniscates around the disks reflect the curves of the waves, and reminds us that to succeed it’s a matter of finding our flow, or moving with the waves, not fighting against them.
If we can be cool, yet compassionate like the King, and even keeled like the juggler, we can probably face most emotional situations with strength.
But there’s no question about it, the ocean can be a very scary place when the winds start blowing.
