The whole story about how Sarah Palin wanted to ban books in the Wasilla library gives off a decidedly Dolores Umbridge vibe. McClatchy dug into the rumors a bit more deeply:
…In December 1996, Emmons told her hometown newspaper, the Frontiersman, that Palin three times asked her — starting before she was sworn in — about possibly removing objectionable books from the library if the need arose.
Emmons told the Frontiersman she flatly refused to consider any kind of censorship….
When the matter came up for the second time in October 1996, during a City Council meeting, Anne Kilkenny, a Wasilla housewife who often attends council meetings, was there….
“Sarah said to Mary Ellen, ‘What would your response be if I asked you to remove some books from the collection?” Kilkenny said.
“I was shocked. Mary Ellen sat up straight and said something along the line of, ‘The books in the Wasilla Library collection were selected on the basis of national selection criteria for libraries of this size, and I would absolutely resist all efforts to ban books.’”
Palin didn’t mention specific books at that meeting, Kilkenny said.
Well, isn’t that interesting? "If the need arose" to remove books — what "need"?!? The Russians will invade if we don’t get rid of Harry Potter? My preacher will will boot me out of church unless you remove all Judy Blooms at my command? Get rid of J.D. Salinger or the world will end? And then the librarian had to pass a loyalty test from Palin? Good luck with your crusade, and may your firings be swell! I do love the smell of a loyalty oath in the morning, don’t you?
Don’t you think Sarah Palin had some books in mind when she asked those questions — on three separate occasions — about banning books in the public library? Which books, you ask?
I think someone should. And fast.
The American Library Association has designated September 27th through October 4th as this year’s Banned Book Week. I think we owe it to the ALA to get Sarah Palin on record as to what books she thought should be banned, don’t you?
Now, I know she’ll be hiding out in Alaska next week, cramming Veep knowledge into her head, with no media availability in sight. But on the off chance one of our readers were to run into her at the grocery store or the car wash, but probably not the book store, why not ask: "Sarah, I’m thinking about harassing my town librarian into banning books. Which ones do you recommend we toss? And why?"
Here’s the ALA’s list of 2007’s frequently questioned authors, which includes such harmful thinkers as Mark Twain and Toni Morrison. They also list a number of frequently questioned books. Makes me want to do a big purchase for my local library — which ones are your favorites? Personally, I’m a fan of To Kill A Mockingbird, and cannot believe it is on the list.
So, what would Sarah ban? Shouldn’t the public know the answer to that question well before we vote?
http://sharpynews.com/politics/blog/blue-political-news/wwsb-what-would-sarah-ban/