Comments for Here's the story about Palin's book-banning try as mayor »
Posted By Wil 1 year, 4 months ago in NewsBack in 1996, when she first became mayor, Sarah Palin asked the city librarian if she would be all right with censoring library books should she be asked to do so.
According to news coverage at the time, the librarian said she would definitely not be all right with it. A few months later, the librarian, Mary Ellen Emmons, got a letter from Palin telling her she was going to be fired. The censorship issue was not mentioned as a reason for the firing. The letter just said the new mayor felt Emmons didn't fully support her and had to go.
Emmons had been city librarian for seven years and was well liked. After a wave of public support for her, Palin relented and let Emmons keep her job.
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Trey1 year, 4 months ago
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UnusualSuspect1 year, 4 months ago
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Ok...she's conservative. But ban books, books that are OK'd by the Alaskan Library Association? Why do that? What was she afraid of? Her children reading these books? If so, all Palin had to do was restrict what her children read, if that was her concern.
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And then to send out resignation letters as a test of loyalty? This Palin is shaping up to be quite a piece of work.
Hopefully more people will read about this experience, and learn a lot about this governor from Alaska. The more they learn, the less likely she'll end up being a VP...-
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wtagg1 year, 4 months ago
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Banning or censoring is not conservative or part of the conservative doctrine. It may be part of the republican platform, but then again, republicans are not conservative.
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Palin and family made a choice concerning Bristol. She also has a choice concerning the literature she wants to read or have in her home, just as every American should have that choice.
Choice is conservative. The government making choices for you is not. -
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StillUnashamed1 year, 4 months ago
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"But ban books, books that are OK'd by the Alaskan Library Association?"
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So it is ok for the Alaskan Library Association to ban books?
This whole issue is just one of many "shots in the dark" taken by the liberal press. I would venture that almost everyone here in propeller belives it is ok to ban certain literature from public libraries. Or are there some in here who believe pornographic literature should be made available to minors?-
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UnusualSuspect1 year, 4 months ago
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Still...
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If libraries carry pornographic literature (I have never lived in a town with a library that did) then I would think it would be placed in an adult section of the library, out of the hands of children, so children would never even see it.
That makes sense, right?
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JoanieT1 year, 4 months ago
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Moral fortitude is hard to develop when:
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1) public schools can't promote it
2) parents don't know how to develop it in their children
3) parents get limited help with this because Judeo-Christian ideals are constantly being attacked!
I'd say Paulin was right to ask about the books.
I'd say Inverse has a right to his/her opinion because between the lines, it is apparent that Inverse has deep concerns about the moral fiber of this country. Remember, it only takes a few generations' lack of morals to erase all of western civilization. Remember the fall of Rome and what came afterwards??? The dark ages!! Yes, you liberals, the dark ages and you are creating it, not the GOP!-
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mecormany1 year, 3 months ago
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joanie t - Yes, the Dark Ages brought to humanity by that wonderful institution The Christian Church. Who let classical writings rot to dust, forbade the teaching of reading and writing and taught only from that book of violence and sex and confusion- -the bible a fine moralistic view of the world as one big cesspool with demons running around everywhere. So don't lay your lack of morals BS on that being the reason there was five hundred years of darkness. Republicans don't have a lock on morals or ethics or haven't you been paying attention the last 8 years? We don't need another fundy in the White House if Bush-Cheney morals are what they bring to it. We can't take much more of it or we'll be back in another church induced Dark Ages.Lack of moral fiber, my butt.
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edzee1 year, 3 months ago
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joanie, i agree with you but i disagree that it is the role of government to develop moral fortitude on behalf of inept or busy working parents by banning books or favoring one religion over others to the point that we think banning books is okay. if we are good parents who take developing our childrens' minds seriously -- as my parents did with me -- then moral fortitude is inevitable and can't be shaken by liberal attacks on it.
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also, if there were objectionable books in a library, i am totally in favor of putting them in a section that is accessible by librarians only and for viewing by those 18+, however, i have never heard of a library having porn --- ???
nudity, books about porn (but that are not themselves porn), so-called art that could be seen as obscene or pornographic, books that are dangerously counter-culture -- these don't have to be banned but libraries should restrict viewing or require consent.
there used to be something called a constitution and a first amendment! why didn't palin seek the *truly conservative* approach that keeps government from sponsoring a certain point of view?
the responsibilty for raising my child is mine, not the government's, and not sarah palin's and i will be the first to admit that in this day and age, it is difficult to teach right and wrong because of so much moral relativism. however, the minute we start giving government the power to be a substitute for our own personal responsibility is the minute we start down the slippery slope of the liberals. i, for one, am not going there. -
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edzee1 year, 3 months ago
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inverse, you can protect your child without banning books by simply being a good parent. and how do you protect a country by burning books unless you are hitler and promoting a state-sponsored ideology of hate that doesn't protect anyone, but just gives people in power more power?
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Fedquip1 year, 4 months ago
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fta: Four days before the exchange at the City Council, Emmons got a letter from Palin asking for her resignation. Similar letters went to police chief Irl Stambaugh, public works director Jack Felton and finance director Duane Dvorak. John Cooper, a fifth director, resigned after Palin eliminated his job overseeing the city museum.
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Candida1 year, 4 months ago
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This is funny. I've copied the same section from the article,but now I don't have to post it. I just want to add one more line:
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"Palin told the Anchorage Daily News then that the letters were just a test of loyalty"
Asking for someone's resignation as a test of loyalty???? Loyal librarians and public works directors? Politicized public servants in a town of 5,000? That town must be on the other side of the looking glass.-
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amazed1 year, 4 months ago
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I don't know how towns in Alaska work, but here in CT directors of departments -- Public Works, the Public Library, Zoning, etc, are appointed by the mayor (with approval of the board of aldermen). As such, it is more usual than not, for these heads to be replaced with the mayor's choices--in deed, the people accepting these jobs know full well that they are likely to be looking for a new job with a change in mayor -- and extremely unlikely to hang onto their job if the new mayor if the new mayor belongs to a different party.
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That's the price you pay for accepting a political plum of a job.-
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TimALoftis1 year, 4 months ago
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This is the kind of thing that the McCain supporters should be very worried about. I still contend that Gov.Palin did not get the kind of vetting from the McCain camp as she should have. Once they saw a possible opportunity to go after the Clinton voters they fell in love with Palin and perhaps a little to quick
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Censoring Books? That is something I have strong views on.-
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chuck-the-canuck1 year, 4 months ago
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“This is the kind of thing that the McCain supporters should be very worried about.”
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Isn’t it completely obvious to everyone by now, that the republicans are completely delusional? McCain could have selected a blow up sheep to be his running mate and the party faithful would be crowing its praises.
Do you want to know what worries me?
The idea that very large numbers of people are completely delusional.
The idea that a significant number of these delusional people hold the reigns of power.
The idea that a significant number of these delusional people believe that their particular delusion is the correct delusion and they are willing to kill you to make their point. -
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chuck-the-canuck1 year, 4 months ago
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I thought the citizenry is the government.
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Why are you so afraid to try something different? If the citizenry don't like the results, they can fix things at the next election. The republicans have ruined your country. I know if I was looking for a change and given the choice, I'd pick an well meaning, inexperienced idealist over a worn out, old, political hack any day.
A turd in a suit could do a better job than the republicans have done for the last eight years.
Don't let the racial overtones confuse you. McCain is just another turd in a suit and Obama just may be that knight on the white horse.-
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wtagg1 year, 4 months ago
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I think if you carefully consider the positions of the two major candidates on the important issues such as the deficit, Iraq, etc... they are almost clones of each other.
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I do not believe change is part of either candidate's plan other than as word bites.
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PainGoddess1 year, 4 months ago
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Nobody has the right to ban books. The citizen has the right to pick or not pick what they read. Freedom of speech covers all forms of print even if it is distasteful or considered "sinful." It is all about the abuse of position and power.
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miklkit1 year, 4 months ago
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It's the tail wagging the dog. There are committees that go through all the books out there and decide in a bipartisan way what books are best suited for different situations. The local librarians then use those guidelines in selecting their books. They also put local conditions into the mix. I have gone to the library of a small town of 5,000 and read repair manuals for old trucks.
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Then you have someone with no experience in this field strutting in and basically saying "It's my way or the highway". And this person is a known extremist fundie.
I applaud that librarian and the townspeople who stood with her.-
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DaneL1 year, 4 months ago
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"It's the tail wagging the dog. There are committees that go through all the books out there and decide in a bipartisan way what books are best suited for different situations."
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This is a form of censorship, someone else deciding what should be read and what shouldn't. She just asked the librarian if she would have a problem removing a book that was deemed outside the guide lines.
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miklkit1 year, 4 months ago
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Palin herself, questioned at the time, called her inquiries rhetorical and simply part of a policy discussion with a department head "about understanding and following administration agendas," according to the Frontiersman article.
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Ok. So just what is this fundies agenda? Banning books is un -American.-
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Jimjn21 year, 4 months ago
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This lets find people that don't like Sarah Palin (or don't know anything about the real her) and then we can make believe we are being 100% truthful or are non-biased reporters doing a serious article reporting "real" news is already failing.
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As time goes on and we learn more of the "real truth and full story" of Sarah Pailn, the less innuendo, half truths, negative spin and one sided views work. -
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not2needy1 year, 4 months ago
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Per the article, since Emmons didn't support Palin's desire to censor, she was asked to resign. She also asked Emmons for her resignation basically because she had supported Stein, the former Mayor, and it was a test of loyalty. Put nicely, that's was a complete abuse of power.
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FTA: Emmons got a letter from Palin asking for her resignation. Similar letters went to police chief Irl Stambaugh, public works director Jack Felton and finance director Duane Dvorak. John Cooper, a fifth director, resigned after Palin eliminated his job overseeing the city museum.)) Yet more abuse of power.
Do we really want anyone who is so capable of abusing the postition of VP after having been subjected to the likes of **** Cheney? In all honesty, i think Sarah Palin has all the potential of being worse than Cheney, and may take over.. She pretty much did at the RNC, and it wouldn't take much to push old McCain into the background and let her have her way.
Is that a finger you would want on the most important buttons in the United States? NO! -
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benighse1 year, 4 months ago
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Palin must have also banned the MATH book that shows August 29, 1988 to April 20, 1989 is 7 months 22 days for her first born----My Dad always said the first one can come anytime but the second takes at least NINE MONTHS---She certainly proves he was right! No problem with this LIFE HAPPENS event, but don't be so Hypocritical in calling for ABSTINENCE ONLY when you didn't follow it YOURSELF!!!
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not2needy1 year, 4 months ago
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Will all Americans be tested for our loyalty to Sarah Palin if she becomes our VP? What if we fail the test, will our Social Security be cut off, will we be fired from our jobs, will she demand our heads on a platter? She's a scary b.
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david_nwpa1 year, 4 months ago
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Consider a number of people were subjected to a variety of loyalty tests in Nazi Germany. Heinrich Himmler and Joseph Goebbels wanted to prove that certain people within the party were truly loyal to der Fuehrer. We do NOT need this kind of leadership in Washington.
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Sarah Palin is the governor of a state in which reindeer outnumber people. She was angered by the Bush administration's decision to put the polar bear on the endangered species list. Meanwhile, she is willing to put literature on a sort of endangered species list. Why stop at banning books? Why not burn them? Sounds like the Nazi party to me.-
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not2needy1 year, 4 months ago
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She has taken on an evil appearance. Nazi, Communist, whatever it is, she isn't as pretty on the inside as she is on the outside. Sadly, it's the outside that the cons are looking at. They are enamored* with celebrities, wealthy politicians and/or whatever catches the eye, not what's best for the country.
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jcmcamis1 year, 3 months ago
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not2needy, are you serious? That's the most ridiculous statement I've heard yet. Are you just making it up as you go along? It's common knowledge that Hollywood and the media are predominantly left-leaning. To suggest otherwise is just idiotic. I can understand that you might like Obama and want to vote for him. But that's no reason to spread lies and mischaracterizations of reality.
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Poulenc1 year, 4 months ago
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The right-wing mindset resists diversity.
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That's because it requires CERTAINTY--as in moral absolutism. Differing viewpoints can thus cause conflict , even fear among those for whom things must be right or wrong, good or bad, pure or impure, godly or not, etc..
Books are thus dangerous to the degree that they espouse viewpoints contrary to one's "convictions," and/or or use language that might threaten (rigid) ideas about sexual morality.
Ergo, the need to ban books.
The irony is of course that life has a way of messing up the best laid authoritarian plans. I'm talking about Bristol Palin's pregnancy.
How quickly, though, one can do a bit of mental jujitsu to accommodate this moral "lapse" that, if written about in a book, especially one aimed at teenagers, might otherwise "demand" censorship.-
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jcmcamis1 year, 3 months ago
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Congratulations Poulenc, you capture the prize for the most convoluted rhetoric on this thread. There is absolutely no way you can prove any of what you wrote. The fact of the matter is that you can find entrenched minds on both sides of the isle. Personally, I have gotten more "talk to the hand" responses from the left than from the right. It's also been documented that the right is far more liberal with it's contributions to charity, even though the left overtook them in sheer numbers of the rich.
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Why don't you try being honest and forthright, instead of being clever and cute. People are people, prone to taking the path of least resistance. Corruption exists in the hearts of men and women on both sides of the political spectrum. It's disingenuous to try and portray a particular political leaning with a moral fault. That's called bigotry.
As for Gov. Palin, the unabashed attacks from the left are cynical and inappropriate. I find it interesting that questioning the value of a book rates better than questionable associations when it comes to vetting the backgrounds of certain politicians. I for one have big questions about past and current associates of Sen. Obama. None of which is being talked about in the press. Biased? You decide.
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JoanieT1 year, 4 months ago
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...and how do you have moral fortitude when:
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public schools are prohibited from developing it,
parents don't know how to promote
and Christian religious education is put down in this country???
Our country is fast going down the toilet because it has lost its moral compass. We need to get back on track. -
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u2nav1 year, 4 months ago
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Asking a question about book-banning doesn't mean that the questioner thinks books should be banned. However, as it's presented ,it makes good fodder for liberals to find fault. Also, why do liberals muster so much hate about an attractive competent and experienced woman selected for a republican running mate when they didn't send up some of the same whiny-whiny, boo-hiss about Geraldine Ferraro.. That smacks of hypocrisy. Of course, I've grown used to liberal hypocrisy.
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smithichie1 year, 4 months ago
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Speaking of hypocrisy, I see you have no problem playing the sex card. I could care less that Palin is a woman, it's her extremist views that I dislike. What on Earth do Palin and Ferraro have in common besides internal plumbing? The fact you would attempt to make such a comparison points out your own sexism.
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mgarnett251 year, 3 months ago
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HOW CAN YOU LIE LIKE THIS IN YOUR POST !
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I HAVE THE PROOF THAT YOU ARE A LIER !
American's just read the NEW report today from a group that normaly FAR LEFT Liberals LOVE to quote and reference. (today they will sya FACTCHECK is a hack group, rofl)
HERE IS THE PROOF:
ALL REPUBLICANS PLASE READ THE NEW REPORT ON PALIN FROM:
FACTCHECK.ORG (liberals love this group normaly)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/157986/page/1
HONEST DEMOCRATES WILL SEE THE TRUTH IF THEY READ !
The TRUTH on Liberal lies about PALIN are BLOWN AWAY by the very same FACTCHECK.ORG that the far left liberals alway quote and use to say Republicans are LIERS, WELL THE WORM HAS TURNED ! PROOF the LIBERAL FAR LEFT MEDIA WILL IGNORE, but we can get the truth out to America -
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mgarnett251 year, 3 months ago
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This WAS JUST disproved by FACTCHECK.ORG, normaly a group that Liberals love to qoute.
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Please go read for yourself that this poster is a LIER ! PERIOD, LIER !
He is spreading more and more of the garbage that is going to allow McCain to win, so thanks for that.
But, if folks want to read FACTS, check the truth:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/157986/page/1
I look forward to an honest Democrate to post here to refute this FAR LEFT hack of an OP -
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