Banned Books

[Crystal Tubbs]

I'm doing a persuasive speech on reasons why we should not ban books.

I'm just looking for input and valid sources if anyone wants to comment on why we should or should not ban books.

(p.s. my argument is that no, we should not ban books in schools and libraries.)

[Eystein,]

What is the nature of these bans? It isn't federal right? It's more like individual school boards deciding which material is prudent and what is not? Are there any school districts where books on evolution is banned for instance?

[Latch33570]

No it isn't federal. It is local governments and local school districts.The only thing the feds can ban is classified stuff and certain technology that would endanger life such as certain rocket technology. We don't want some Sadam wanna be building bombs that can reach us.

[Eystein,]

I think those modern bombs are gonna arrive in a suit case these days... At least they ask if you carry one before they let you enter.

[Maxwell Waters]

The miracle of human consciousness is arguably the greatest gift (God/nature) gave us, and we have no right to suppress its expression, especially in a nation founded upon the ideals of liberty for all, not liberty for all unless they publish books about gay people and want to sell those books in Oklahoma, etc.

[Latch33570]

Nobody is suppressing it. You can purchase things yourself. Public libraries are paid for by our tax money therefore it is subject to the whims of politics. The librarians bosses (politicians) aren't going to waste their valuable time arguing over stupid stuff. As the saying goes you pick your battles.  

[Tom Steinbrecher]

What if this is a battle I've picked?

Books are something I care about and am not afraid to write politicians and stand up for books I believe in. 

[Eystein,]

Shouldn't these libraries, with their limited budgets, be able to decide for themselves how best to use these funds to accommodate the actual desires of their users, instead of being forced to comply with what a small board think people ought to desire? It is kind of ridiculous that they have to remove books they've already paid for, just because some political alignment suddenly shifts.

Just for the record, I don't think porn has got anything to do in any public library. It should of course never be appropriate to look up porn on a public computer. Except maybe in a dedicated porn library, if there's such a thing... Seriously, who would look at porn in a public library?

[Latch33570]

Eystein  obviously horny teenagers and perverts would look at porn in public. They are able to decide. That is my point. They do decide. Right now I have never even heard of any porn in a public library but it is possible. It isn't likely but possible. If there was enough people who got together and demanded Playboy and made a big enough stink. It would be carried. Every position/job is subject to political whims. If there is a librarian who bans some books that the public wants she would be removed. Politicians wish to be reelected and will comply if they think it would endanger their job.   I remember a long time ago someone wrote a children s book about something that really happened. It was about these two male penguins that adopted a baby penguin. I think it happened at the Los Angelas zoo. Some wacko parents raised hell about it supporting/pushing   homosexuality. The stupid librarian first refused to pull the book. Her boss the mayor (I think) made her take it off the shelf. Then the other side started shouting. The book got put back. My point is that we decide what to leave out and what to leave in. It is who screams the loudest. The squeaky wheel gets tyhe oil. You can always purchase it privately.

[William Harmer]

Government has only the obligation to protect our natural rights. If the government has the right to take away your right to read freely, it has taken away effectively your right to think freely, for you to speak freely, and for you to communicate between you and others. When government can do this, it has taken away all your right to live. You are no longer your own person, you live in a state of intellectual and mental slavery to the state.