Monday, October 6, 2008

Repubi* (for Republican)

Last week was Banned Books Week, which makes it a prime time to consider the Republican candidate for vice president's predilection for book banning. As mayor of Wasilla, Sarah Palin repeatedly asked the public librarian if she would be cool with removing controversial books from the library should the need ever come up. The librarian, Mary Ellen Emmons (who was at that time president of the Alaska Library Association), told her she most certainly would not be. Palin then removed the librarian. The story has recently been embellished (a list of popular "banned books" circulating on the web was linked to this incident) to the point where many people now believe that Palin tried to ban books. That isn't true. She was just asking. As Sandy Berman once counseled us with regard to the alternative press, we must always be vigilant about our facts and sources. Things are bad enough as it is without pretending they're even worse and losing face in the process. We have got 33 records in OhioLINK for Repubi* and 30 days left to decide on a new "Decider." In the meantime, take look at the real list of books Sarah wants to censor.

(SNL's Tina Fey and Amy Poehler as Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton.)

Carol Reid

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Did you know that vampires have to "ask" for permission to enter your home?

Unknown said...

Sometimes just asking has the intended chilling effect. Did you know that vampires have to ask for permission to enter your home?