Do you ever wonder why a book ends up on the banned book list?
Every year, books are challenged, sometimes with the best
intentions
– to protect others from difficult ideas and information.
Read a book and celebrate Banned Books Week
Dear Editor,
Do you ever wonder why a book ends up on the banned book list?
Every year, books are challenged, sometimes with the best intentions – to protect others from difficult ideas and information. Often challenges are motivated by a desire to protect children from “inappropriate” sexual content or “offensive” language. Perhaps this action is commendable, but to ban a book is a form of censorship. What is “offensive” to one person, may not be offensive to the next. The American Library Association has a policy concerning access to information and it states that, “Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents – and only parents – have the right and responsibility to restrict the access of their children – and only their children – to library resources.”
To read or not to read – it’s your choice.
Top 10 banned books from the past year:
- “Ttyl (Internet Girls),” by Lauren Myracle
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“And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell
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“The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky
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“To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee
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“Twilight,” by Stephanie Meyer
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“The Catcher in the Rye,” by J.D. Salinger
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“My Sister’s Keeper,” by Jodi Picoult
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“The Earth, My Butt,” and Other Big Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler
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“The Color Purple,” by Alice Walker
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“The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier
Your local bookstore has a book (or two) waiting just for you. Celebrate your freedom to read during Banned Books Week Sept. 25 to Oct. 2.
What’s next? Newspapers?
Jan Sanders, special event publicist, BookSmart, Morgan Hill
City has done an exemplary job during tough economic times
Dear Editor,
To clarify the letter from Ms. Stahl, the city does have a balanced budget. It uses its reserve during these difficult times to bring it into balance. It is a healthy reserve used appropriately.
As I sat through many meetings with independent auditors as your elected representative, it was said that we were the envy of many other cities, adhering to conservative practices and measures to maintain our solvency. As economic times continue to improve as cited by the latest sales tax figures, the city will begin to replenish this reserve. If the State had employed a similar strategy, Sacramento would likely not be in the mess it is today.
As for inappropriate actions you cited, I believe the purchases the city made were appropriate and necessary, but the manner not. I believe this to be corrected. Council cannot oversee each and every purchase. They are part-time policy makers. They are not full-time auditors. Would I fire everyone as you recommend? I don’t think so.
The city has a wonderful reputation for being innovative, conscientious and responsive, and I can draw many examples from other agencies where the comparison and contrast would astound you – i.e., the city of Bell. Be thankful for the award-winning Centennial and Community Center, senior and teen centers, new library, sports center, downtown promenade, new Tennant Avenue overpass, and to the other extreme, the ability to place unlimited trash containers out each week at no additional charge as other cities have employed, as among many examples of the council working in your interest.
I don’t always agree with this council, but I am very proud on its ability to manage resources in a climate of unlimited wants and ever limited resources.
Mark Grzan, Morgan Hill
Is opposing a patriot itself an unpatriotic act?
Dear Editor,
In the entire English language is there a more easily misused word than the word “patriot”? With a short pen stroke or a brief breath one can simply declare oneself a patriot and automatically acquire the special status conjured by the word. From the most heroic to the most vile, throughout history and around the world citizens and leaders have deemed themselves patriots: Paul Revere was one, as was Maximilien Robespierre.
Then, having claimed the title one can wrap oneself in the robe of an emotionally-charged cause or event – say, 9/11 – and become unassailable regardless of whatever the agenda might be, regardless of what else comes with the package, because to oppose a nobler-than-thou patriot is itself unpatriotic and disrespectful of the cause
It becomes something akin to treason to disagree with anything associated with such self-elevated personages, because like the damage to the Constitution accomplished by the cleverly-named Patriot Act any excess of zealotry is protected by the shield of patriotism.
Words are undeniably powerful; it is therefore crucial to always look behind them and see if they describe reality or merely attempt to create it.
Robert B. Mitchell, Morgan Hill
