Latest news with #BarbaraRichardson
CBS News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Huntington Beach to hold special election over library review board
It's less than a week from Huntington Beach's special election to decide two issues about how the city's libraries will operate. Measures A and B supporters claim they're hoping to protect the libraries from privatization and censorship. A yes vote on Measure A would block the formation of a community parent-guardian review board that the City Council appoints. The board would have the authority to determine which books are allowed on library shelves. "I'm really trying to stress to people this is where they get to vote for their rights," former librarian Barbara Richardson said. "They are voting for the right to be able to decide for themselves what books are appropriate for themselves, what books are appropriate for them and their families, not some political committee." "Protect Our Kids from Porn" signs have popped up across Huntington Beach and sparked outrage from some parents. The large placards were paid for by a city councilmember's political action committee. The council has made complaints that obscene material is available to young readers in the children's section, a claim that librarians insist is not true. At Tuesday's council meeting, members unanimously passed a resolution stating that Huntington Beach wouldn't ban books or sell its public library. "And whereas the public has expressed concerns regarding the future of the library and the treatment of library materials," Councilman Chad Williams, who paid for the "Protect Our Kids from Porn" signs, said during the meeting. Some voters said they were divided over Measures A and B. "I grew up coming to this library," voter Michelle Dixon said. "We've never had issues with choosing what to read, and from what my circles are, it's a form of censorship." Others said they need to protect children. "I think that we have to have our children be protected from the type of subject matter that they are not ready for or they don't need to know about at such a young age," voter Sally Kollar said. Three in-person voting centers are now open, with two more opening this weekend. They will be open through Election Day, June 10.
The Guardian
25-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Dangers of using beta blockers to treat anxiety
Your article (I'm taking beta blockers for my anxiety – and so are many of my friends. Is that a problem?, 20 May) highlights the increasing use of beta blockers, especially to manage situational anxiety. These medicines are the subject of a healthcare safety investigation report in 2020, specifically the toxicity of propranolol in overdose. In October 2024, the General Pharmaceutical Council published advice for pharmacy professionals also highlighting the risk of toxicity. GPs must exercise extreme caution when prescribing these medicines for anxiety, which is not recommended in national evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of anxiety and is associated with significant adverse outcomes. Christopher Sullivan Pharmacist, Newton Abbot, Devon After being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation in 2020, I was prescribed beta blockers to lower my heart rate. I hated taking them as they made my symptoms – tiredness and brain fog – much worse. I stopped taking them and now have a pacemaker. I'm astounded to read that they are routinely prescribed for anxiety. I understand the need for a quick fix, but long term there have to be better coping strategies than taking medication for which there is 'no conclusive evidence' for its effectiveness and might be linked to higher rates of Richardson London Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Los Angeles Times
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
‘Magical, Alluring': Huntington Beach panel approves ‘MAGA' plaque for city library
A political controversy has erupted in an Orange County city that's celebrating the 50th anniversary of a library, and at the center of it is a plaque that reads like an acrostic poem and spells out 'MAGA.' On Tuesday night, a Huntington Beach city panel approved by a 6-0 vote the design of the plaque, which is intended to be installed in its Central Library. 'Magical, Alluring, Galvanizing, Adventurous,' say the words centered in the plaque. The well-known 'MAGA' acronym is used by President Trump and Republican supporters and translates to 'Make America Great Again.' In front of an overflow crowd of about 100 people, the members of the Huntington Beach Community and Library Services Commission had fairly little to say on the item itself, after hearing public comments from 40 speakers against the plaque and six in favor of it. Many of those against it booed the commission after the vote was cast. More than 300 residents also sent emails to the commission critiquing the plaque, questioning the use of a political slogan on a commemorative decoration as well as the use of 'alluring' in describing a public library. Resident Barbara Richardson said Tuesday during public comments that she thought she was being punked when she first saw the plaque's design, calling it divisive and embarrassing. 'It turned out, the joke was on me, because this plaque really is the real design,' she said. 'From far away, it looks like the plaque is celebrating 50 years of MAGA, as the word is dead center in the middle of the plaque. This is where one's eye is drawn, to a political slogan. Are political slogans even allowed to be installed on city buildings? Why shouldn't the city be neutral?' Chris Kluwe, also a resident of the city, spoke with more fire as he referred to the design as hideous. 'If you go forward with this plaque, you are putting MAGA front and center [in] our city,' Kluwe said. 'It is really important that you understand that MAGA as an ideology is destroying our country, OK? MAGA is the idea that trans people shouldn't exist. MAGA is the idea that you can let a billionaire come in and run our government and take our Social Security numbers to do who knows what, because there is no oversight.' Huntington Beach Deputy City Manager Jennifer Carey said that City Council member Gracey Van Der Mark, who swore in three new commission members at Tuesday's meeting, proposed the idea of celebrating the 50th anniversary with a dedicated plaque. 'The plaque's design was a collaborative effort, incorporating input from various City Council members and the community,' Carey said in an email Wednesday. Only Community and Library Services Committee Chairman Austin Edsell and Commissioner Jeanne Paris had comments about the design among the six commissioners, each of whom was appointed by a member of the all-conservative Huntington Beach City Council. The bronze plaque would be installed outside the library and has up to $7,000 budgeted for it, according to a staff report. Edsell said during the meeting that it was expected to be paid for through private donations. 'It's a great library,' said Edsell, a past president of the Orange County Young Republicans, adding that he grew up visiting it. 'Honoring it and celebrating it in this way, I think it's very fitting for us.' Paris said she recommended cleaning up the plaque a tad, though she was fine with the 'MAGA' in the center of it. She added that the council could also make changes to it. 'It's a little busy, that's all,' she said. 'I like the idea of MAGA. Making America great is not a racist comment.' But former council member Natalie Moser called the plaque political propaganda disguised as a celebration. 'Libraries are spaces for knowledge, community and inclusion,' she said. 'They are not tools for political messaging. ... History warns us about what happens when public spaces are manipulated for political purposes. In many historical moments during authoritarian regimes in times of intense social control, symbols were placed not to celebrate shared values but to assert control and rewrite history. These tactics are well-documented and studied in history books for their dangerous impact on free societies.' Moser called the plaque a distraction and urged residents to pay attention, adding that the council has made efforts to politicize the library, censor books and challenge citizen-driven petitions. 'These aren't just attacks on the library, they are attacks on our freedoms, on civic engagement and democracy,' she said. The plaque design is expected to go to the City Council for final approval next week.
Los Angeles Times
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Huntington Beach commission approves ‘MAGA' plaque for Central Library 50th anniversary
The 50th anniversary of the Huntington Beach Central Library has suddenly turned into a political battleground. On Tuesday night, the Huntington Beach Community and Library Services Commission approved by a 6-0 vote the design of a plaque celebrating the anniversary with 'Magical, Alluring, Galvanizing, Adventurous' in the middle. Together, the words equal the 'MAGA' acronym used by President Donald Trump and Republican supporters as 'Make America Great Again.' The four letters are displayed vertically in bold font on the plaque. In front of an overflow crowd of about 100 people, the commissioners had fairly little to say on the item itself, after hearing public comments from 40 speakers against the plaque and six in favor of it. Many of those against it booed the commission after the vote was cast. More than 300 residents also sent emails to the commission critiquing the plaque, questioning the use of a well-known political slogan on a commemorative decoration as well as the use of 'alluring' in describing a public library. Resident Barbara Richardson said Tuesday during public comments that she thought she was being punked when she first saw the plaque's design, calling it divisive and embarrassing. 'It turned out, the joke was on me, because this plaque really is the real design,' she said. 'From far away, it looks like the plaque is celebrating 50 years of MAGA, as the word is dead center in the middle of the plaque. This is where one's eye is drawn, to a political slogan. Are political slogans even allowed to be installed on city buildings? Why shouldn't the city be neutral?' Chris Kluwe, also a resident of the city, spoke with more fire as he referred to the design as hideous. 'If you go forward with this plaque, you are putting MAGA front and center [in] our city,' Kluwe said. 'It is really important that you understand that MAGA as an ideology is destroying our country, OK? MAGA is the idea that trans people shouldn't exist. MAGA is the idea that you can let a billionaire come in and run our government and take our Social Security numbers to do who knows what, because there is no oversight.' Huntington Beach Deputy City Manager Jennifer Carey said that City Council member Gracey Van Der Mark, who swore in three new commission members at Tuesday's meeting, proposed the idea of celebrating the 50th anniversary with a dedicated plaque. 'The plaque's design was a collaborative effort, incorporating input from various City Council members and the community,' Carey said in an email Wednesday. Only Community and Library Services Committee chairman Austin Edsell and commissioner Jeanne Paris had comments about the design among the six commissioners, each of whom was appointed by a member of the all-conservative Huntington Beach City Council. The bronze plaque would be installed outside the library and has up to $7,000 budgeted for it, according to a staff report prepared by Ashley Theel, director of community and library services. Edsell said during the meeting that it was expected to be paid for via private donations. 'It's a great library,' said Edsell, a past president of the Orange County Young Republicans, adding that he grew up visiting it. 'Honoring it and celebrating it in this way, I think it's very fitting for us.' Paris said she recommended cleaning up the plaque a tad, though she was fine with the 'MAGA' in the center of it. She added that the council could also make changes to it. 'It's a little busy, that's all,' she said. 'I like the idea of MAGA. Making America great is not a racist comment.' But former council member Natalie Moser called the plaque political propaganda disguised as a celebration. 'Libraries are spaces for knowledge, community and inclusion,' she said. 'They are not tools for political messaging ... History warns us about what happens when public spaces are manipulated for political purposes. In many historical moments during authoritarian regimes in times of intense social control, symbols were placed not to celebrate shared values, but to assert control and rewrite history. These tactics are well-documented and studied in history books for their dangerous impact on free societies.' Moser called the plaque a distraction and urged residents to pay attention, adding that the council has made efforts to politicize the library, censor books and challenge citizen-driven petitions. 'These aren't just attacks on the library, they are attacks on our freedoms, on civic engagement and democracy,' she said. The plaque is expected to go to the City Council for final approval next week.
