Today's Hogwarts moment: Bush officials objected to witchcraft themes in 'Harry Potter' series

Earlier this year, author J.K. Rowling was given one of France's highest honors when she was inducted into the Legion of Honor by French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee presidential palace. No surprise, I suppose, considering the fact that Rowling's beloved "Harry Potter" books have sold more than 400 million copies and been translated into 67 languages -- not to mention the history-making film adaptations, which collectively have gone north of $5.3 billion in worldwide box office.

Turns out, according to a new book by a speechwriter during the Bush administration, there was talk of honoring the British author with the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom a few years ago but the idea was a non-starter in the White House. The former administration had decision-makers who spoke up to "actually object to giving the author J.K. Rowling a presidential medal because the Harry Potter books encouraged witchcraft," writes Matthew Latimer, author of "Speech-less: Tales of a White House Survivor."

Hmm. They gave the same medal to James Cagney and John Wayne without fear of gunfire in the streets, and Charlton Heston got one despite his mixed messages on creationism vs. evolution (sure, he made great Bible movies, but what about that talking-ape film?). My first thought was that Rowling didn't merit the award for the simple reason that, well, it was too big of an honor -- but, really, is she provably less deserving than previous honorees Julia Child, Rita Moreno or NASCAR driver Richard Petty?

Many supporters celebrate Rowling's philanthropy and point out that her works have energized young readers in dynamic fashion in an era when parents had given up hope that their youngsters would willingly set aside video games and television remotes so they could plow through a 759-page tome such as "Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows." Will she still be honored with the Medal of Freedom? The late Ted Kennedy, who was viewed as Voldemort by the GOP, was passed over for the medal during the Bush administration but got it from the next occupant of the White House. Should Rowling be another second-chance candidate?

Take a look at the list of previous Medal of Freedom winners and leave a comment below with your opinion.

-- Geoff Boucher

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Comments

[Dave Brooklyn]

Yet more madness that emanated from the Bush White House.
What is wrong with these people?

[NarNar]

It's the BUSH ADMINISTRATION... that says enough. Anything the world enjoys the Bush Admin denounces. For Example.

America likes peace, Bush takes us to war.

America likes Harry Potter, Bush says don't bother ( "it's the Devil" say it like Moma Boucher from Adam Sandler 'Waterboy' lol)

America says let rich company pay more in taxes, Bush says, I will give rich company tax credit/shelter.

America needs regulation, Bush says..."rega..regul".. how do you say that word, what does it mean.

[A Mom]

I can only imagine that no one in the Bush administration actually read the books...or they would have picked up on the fact that Hogworts closes for CHRISTMAS, and the kids all get CHRISTMAS presents. Yes, CHRISTMAS. A word that in America we're not allowed to say in public anymore because we might offend someone who doesn't celebrate it.

[deartoni70]

OMG...Honor the woman for cryin out loud!

[Noah]

This just goes to show how far to the right of mainstream the Bush administration was in its religious mania. While most Americans ARE religious (including myself), most of us are not the Holloween-hating, evolution-doubting, anti-contraception homophobes that populated Bush's white house.

[G.D.]

I see nothing wrong with their decision.

It makes sense that the people making the decisions at that time would feel that way - especially because they were probably Catholic. Remembering back when the Harry Potter series first started coming out there were already people all over the world who didn't want their children to be influenced by the themes followed in the books.

Also, I don't quite see the comparison between John Wayne/Charles Heston and J.K. Rowling, simply because it is an altogether different category. Who else do you award medals to in the Film category but iconic actors and directors? A fantasy author, however, whose books have been hugely popular in the past 12 years, wouldn't fit in with the authors of great literature whose works span such topics as culture, society, humanity, politics, history, arts and sciences, whose works have impacted America through our decades of wars, peace, new discoveries and staggering historical events.

[dave]

Most of the past recipients have a large body of work behind them. It remains to be seen whether she's a one trick pony, or if she can make a lasting impact.

[greg]

Who cares? If these incredible monuments of literary achievement are so world changing , they will get plenty of honors over time. Oh, I forget it's really a flimsy excuse for more Bush bashing. Carry on.

[Geoff B]

She should have included pictures... that would spurred much more interest from the White House.

Gosh, it's not like Ms. Rowling drives a car really fast and can only trun left.

[Roger]

Geoff, quoting a source named "Latimer"? Isn't that a conflict of interest?

[Gurney]

dave, it sounds as if you know nothing about writing. It's one whole lotta work to write and then to find a publisher for one book. Extending a solid popular story across so many books is, apparently, much more work than you know.

It doesn't matter whether you like the books or not, but don't paint Rowling as some kind of slacker. This series was a huge achievement in craft and in commerce.

[Geoff Boucher]

A conflict indeed! Yeah I did a double take when I read the name. :-)

[Wesley Smith]

Latimer's comments have gotten a lot of play over the past couple of days, but without greater context, it's hard to judge them. This is one guy's kind of off-handed remark, but do we know how much discussion went into the decision or the pros and cons of Rowling that were brought up?

I don't know, maybe someone somewhere has posted the larger context of the comment, but I haven't seen it yet.

[Tom]

I bet they didn't have a problem with the Chronicles of Narnia. Oh sure it has magic, witches, and talking animals too - but does Harry Potter have an allegorical Jesus lion to reel in the zealots? No!

[woody]

how bout use them powers of witch craft to fight the evil forces of Gog and Magog.

[Ed Kim]

Apparently those above defending the Bush administration's take on Rowling did not check out the other honorees as Geoff suggested. In light of the fact previous recipients of the Medal include James Michener and Louis L"amour, any argument that Rowling is not "weighty" enough goes out the window.

[Anita Bonghit]

Who cares? Bush and his people are long gone yet you can't let him go. I really don't want to hear or read about the guy but why is it that some people can't simply move on. If they were afraid of Harry Potter then they were idiots but don't we have more important things to be concerned about now????

[Meiako]

Please step away from damaging this wonderfully talented woman and her stories.

You can step into an atmosphere as soon as you open the first page of the first book.

And another thing, what is better than an imagination?--someone please tell me!

Please stop damaging this woman’s gift.

Freedom of speech? Come on; get on with the business of beauty, joy and celebration.

And another thing, fun is something the American’s used to export.

Can we have our old American friends back?

[sadegh]

tnx be khatere filme ziba

[Baffled Observer]

Witchcraft and magic are common themes in children's stories, from the Grimm Brothers to the Oz books. "The Wind in the Willows" has a chapter that seems to celebrate paganism. I didn't really like the Harry Potter books after the first one, but they certainly don't celebrate or promote evil.

Why don't these bluenose puritans take at look at their own actions instead of demonizing harmless fantasy? They could start with abandoning the "witchcraft" of taking thousands of lives in the Middle East, go on to the magical way they wrecked the US economy...

[Norman Rogers]

Absolutely ridiculous. I am ashamed of the Republican Party these days, and when I read things like this, I just shake my head and walk away. Here you have a woman worth more than the Queen of England by dint of being a creative entrepreneur, and you can't find a way to give her an award? What a disgrace.

[Luce]

Encouraging witchcraft?!? Well let me just laugh about it.

Maybe the president is still scared of witches but I assume he didn't get the many good messages the author intended to pass in her books. (Especially in the Stop-the-Racism field)

I would really give it to her.

[Henry]

Bush needs to go away...

[Henry]

What about Sawz 1, 2 and Three and all the other swill being produced? GW ?

[Jen]

I might be more inclined to believe Mr. Latimer if he said what 'officials' objected to Harry Potter/witchcraft. Laura Bush is on record as being a big fan of the books.