Palin and censorship

The Blue Skunk tries to stay as apolitical as possible (weak stomach) but when this came across the state listserv this morning, the intellectual freedom fighter in me couldn't resist sharing it.

Excerpt from: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/us/politics/03wasilla.html

Shortly after becoming mayor, former city officials and Wasilla residents said, Ms. Palin approached the town librarian about the possibility of banning some books, though she never followed through and it was unclear which books or passages were in question.

Ann Kilkenny, a Democrat who said she attended every City Council meeting in Ms. Palin's first year in office, said Ms. Palin brought up the idea of banning some books at one meeting. "They were somehow morally or socially objectionable to her," Ms. Kilkenny said.

The librarian, Mary Ellen Emmons, pledged to "resist all efforts at censorship," Ms. Kilkenny recalled. Ms. Palin fired Ms. Emmons shortly after taking office but changed course after residents made a strong show of support. Ms. Emmons, who left her job and Wasilla a couple of years later, declined to comment for this article.

In 1996, Ms. Palin suggested to the local paper, The Frontiersman, that the conversations about banning books were "rhetorical."

Wouldn't it be ironic if the books Gov. Palin was trying to get rid of were on sex education for teens?

I guess I will have to break my pledge to vote for the first hottie to run for Prez.

Comments

[Mary]

Ha ha! You crack me up.

Surprisingly enough, I heard it was the entire “Frog and Toad” children’s series because Ms. Palin had the impression Frog and Toad were living in a bi-racial, “alternative lifestyle” arrangement.

She also wanted to ban “Exotic Names for Children” because she didn’t want anyone else naming their kids Bristol or Twig.

OK, I made that up, but you have to admit it IS possible.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Mary,

I think we've both been around the block enough to know that inter-species relationship ought to be discouraged. I'd support Palin on the Frog and Toad ban.

Doug

[Miguel Guhlin]

Anyone with Star Trek experience knows that inter-species sex (gasp) IS perfectly acceptable.

Gee, I can see the newspaper headline now: "Miguel Guhlin, 20 years ago, wrote that inter-species sex is perfectly acceptable. In the wake of alien visitations being confirmed to the White House, comments are being sought from the lead Republican Censor on the Hill."

[Tim]

I have it on good authority from my wife and several female friends that Obama is a hottie (also one male friend :-). So you don't need to break your pledge. Just look at it from different perspective.

[politics is for losers]

too bad you went political. It's not your strength

[Doug Johnson]

@ Miguel,

It finally dawned on me why I like you so much - you and my son-in-law think just alike. Both of you have a great blend of being Trekkies and very spiritual.

Please tell that you at least restrict yourself to dating carbon-based life forms.

All the best,

Doug

@ Hi Tim,

I think I am too old to change my sexual orientation, but interesting advice. I will take it under consideration.

Thanks, I think,

Doug

@ Hi Politics,

And apparently confidence is not your strength, given that you post anonymously. Now had you signed this, my feelings might have been hurt.

Be bold, be credible. Sign your work!

All the best,

Doug

[Doug Johnson]

Another library blogger on Palin:

<http://librariansagainstpalin.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/>

[Lazygal]

Did you see Susan Needham's post on how this is all a hoax? I've also checked Snopes for that great photo of her wearing a flagkini - hoax again. I wonder how many librarians will post retractions, or will they leave it up uncorrected because it fits with what they want to believe about Gov. Palin?

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Lazy,

The letter from the Wasilla resident about the censorship attempt was actually on Snopes with the statement it was genuine. That, I believe, was the source of the NY Times statement that I quoted on my blog.

I thought it was pretty obvious that the "flag-kini" photo was Photo-shopped. But can I still have it as the background on my computer? Pleeeeease????

I suspect that there will be very few retractions of disproven "facts" by bloggers of any stripe this political season. (You mean Obama ISN'T Muslim?)

Have a good one,

Doug