Just when you thought King County couldn't get any sleazier...

Dori writes...

King County is facing a $50-million deficit for next year. But don't worry... there are still enough tax dollars for a palm/tarot reader.

Listener Chris brought this to my attention: At the Newport Way Library on August 8th, they are advertising "Free readings for teens". According to this web posting, At this summer library event, palm and tarot readings for local teenagers are paid for by the King County Library System!

According to the website for the psychic who has been hired for this event, she "Contracted as a psychic email and telephone operator in the categories of Tarot Readings, Other and Voices From Beyond."

Well, it sure is comforting to know that when I pay my massive property tax bill to King County twice a year, that some of my money is going to someone who has experience as both an e-mail AND telephone psychic!

As Chris asked in his e-mail to me: Why is the King County Library System (your government) paying for religious voodoo (psychic, palm, tarot, readings) aimed at potentially vulnerable teens (and NOT adults). What ever happened the government not endorsing a religious activities and/or (pseudo-)religion. So much for the Constitution.

I object. This has no place in government. Government has no business doing this to kids.

Could anyone in their right mind disagree? It's just another day - and another way - that the morons who run King County spend your tax dollars.

Comments (62)

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jacinto wrote...

Say Wa times 999999999999999999999999999999999.

My tarot card says: There is a lot of bending over in the near future to pay for crap like this. BTW this seems to be a lawsuit waiting to happen. Voodoo card will say something a teen relies on, teen will count on it, parent will sue when it doesn't come true.

July 17, 2009 1:14 am

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Jake The Snail wrote...

meh

If it gets teens and youth into the library then more power to them. I want to know how much it cost? Ten thousand? then that would be excessive, Five hundred to one thousand, that seems alight. If they did not have a hook at the event no teen would go. Think about any teen you know or when you were a teen, think what you would do on a summer Saturday, go to a library event? i think not, but go see a psychic at the library? when i was a teen i could see myself going.

July 17, 2009 2:19 am

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SiCoFgOvErNmEnT wrote...

Not the strongest arugement Dori, but I do get the point!

I agree in a sense that if it get's teens in the library, but there are many other ways of doing so too! We need to have more transparency everywhere, not just the fed reserve!! I'm sick of my money being wasted!

July 17, 2009 3:29 am

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cdbtx wrote...

Apologist

So I guess offering free drugs and beer at the library would be acceptable too.... as long as it gets kids to the library.. I mean it would be educational - giving them a chance to experience what it's like to be drunk or high.. What amazes me is the arrogance of King County - one bad decision after another and yet they continue on. Then of course I'll be accused of intolerance by the far left... yet if the library system sponsored a classic literature day.. I'm sure the left would be screaming about the racist, sexist, filth being pushed down our kids throats..

July 17, 2009 4:01 am

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Newton wrote...

Its just not right. Whats next BlackJack 21

When I went to school, long time ago. It was Wierd then. I guess somthings will never change. When I went home my parents Freaked me Out. Now my Goverment is Freaking me out in so many ways no one is safe. Can anybody Fix the Freaked Out Button. I think its been stuck ON for a very Long time.

July 17, 2009 4:20 am

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Jake The Snail wrote...

re: cdbtx

Drugs and alcohol is such an off base point it discredits the argument. That would be like saying teens get to come down and have sex with a prostitute paid for by the library, it is so unbelievable and off base because it has no correlation with the actual issue. As far as the left opposing a classic literature day maybe, but probably if it was in schools. The cool thing about libraries and events they have is that all they want to do it promote reading and books. Libraries are non-excludable pure public goods. The service you get does not diminish based on income or amount of use. It is one of the few places left that all ideas are welcome, in print form. Even if its hateful discriminating or just against the grain. The library is just doing what is hip, magic/mystery the stuff that teens are reading. Harry potter, Artemis Fowl, Twilight... Special powers and abilities, that is what they are shooting for, and since no wizard/witches/vampires/werewolfs/fairies are up for hire this was probably the next best thing. It has the allure of magic. Who knows, I am still waiting to hear if they actually paid her. It could just be a deal that she can sell readings for adults, but has to give them to teens for free. The library could just say they are paying because it makes them look better from a PR standpoint.

July 17, 2009 4:56 am

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Kate wrote...

What next?

This is just wrong, wrong, WRONG on so many different levels - we are rapidly sinking into a slimier pit, day by day. I agree with cdbtx in asking what's next? Alcohol giveaways, Drug samplings, Gambling how-to's??? Our "government", such as it is, is sicker than I thought.

July 17, 2009 4:56 am

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Moondoggie wrote...

Jake the Snail

You realize of course, that some of these kids will actually believe that the Tarot Card Reader can tell the future?

July 17, 2009 5:59 am

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Chuck Gould wrote...

Cost will be about $300 for two hours. Comparisons to drugs, alcohol, and religion are silly. Halloween Party closer to the mark.

First off; I should state that this event, (billed as a "Psychic Party") looks like something that could have been thought through a little more thoroughly. No doubt the library loans books on palmistry, the Tarot, numerology, astrology etc so it's tough to make a case that the kids would never be exposed to this kind of harmless nonsense if there were no psychic party to attend.
According to the rates posted on the seer's website (her favorite tool for divination, by the way, is the Twitter network)it appears the library is paying about $300 to hire her for two hours.
How many people would object if the library were spending $300 to host a halloween party for the teens? You know, one of those events were kids are encouraged to fantasize that they actually *are* demons, devils, bandits, etc? While some certainly would do so, how many would actually prohibit teenagers from playing with a OUIJA board? That seems to be the "spirit" of this event, rather than some attempt to lure kids to 21st Century seances.
Folks, if you been raising your teen for 12-18 years and you are afraid you are going to lose them to a 2-hour exposure to a carnival hustler with a crystal ball, a deck of cards, and a copy of Tarot for Dummies- you have probably lost them already and simply don't realize it. People far more sinister, far less transparent, and quite likely much more effective are ready to scoop them up, and can do so without staging an organized event in the controlled environment of a public library.
It's tough to justify the event from a cost basis. If the "psychic" were volunteering, that might be different. To express concerns about this program, call Jennifer Wooten at 425-747-2390. Consider being polite, she's not personally the enemy here. She may refer you to her boss, or may be able to respond to comments.

July 17, 2009 6:03 am

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nw316 wrote...

How low can they go?

Wow. So the library system is hurting for attendance, they need to bribe kids to visit??? Next thing you know, they'll sink really low and start dispensing super corrupt things like miniature Christmas trees - won't that be the end!!!!

July 17, 2009 6:25 am

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