Sarah Palin, aspiring book banner?

Time magazine, in its reporting on John McCain's vice presidential choice, Sarah Palin, has uncovered some information that is making librarians uncomfortable.

[Former Mayor John] Stein says that as mayor, Palin continued to inject religious beliefs into her policy at times. "She asked the library how she could go about banning books," he says, because some voters thought they had inappropriate language in them. "The librarian was aghast." That woman, Mary Ellen Baker, couldn't be reached for comment, but news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving "full support" to the mayor.

Librarian Jessamyn West, who blogs at librarian.net, writes, "Usually I’m just happy to see libraries even mentioned in national level politics, but not like this."

This seems like a good time to mention Banned Books Week, beginning Sept. 27, which celebrates the freedom to read. 2007's most challenged book was "And Tango Makes Three," a children's book about a penguin with two dads; books by Mark Twain and Alice Walker appear, again, on the list. Exactly what books Palin might have wanted to ban have not been identified (other than some unsupported rumors), but it's safe to assume that she won't be joining in to celebrate the idea that no books should be banned at all.

— Carolyn Kellogg

Photo: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Brian]

Notice that all these "stories" that are suddenly surfacing feature third-party testimonials that are impossible to independently verify because the subject is either dead, unavailable, or never existed.

The Obama campaign's blogger corps is working overtime.

[Lester Tobias]

The same article also states:

"Wearing her faith quietly fits more with Palin's personality."

"She refused calls from conservatives to remedy the (parental consent) defeat by introducing antiabortion legislation in a session that was supposed to be about drilling rights."

"Wedge issues were not part of the portfolio".

By the time Sarah Palin was entering state politics, the hottest issue in Alaska wasn't gay marriage or even abortion. It was corruption and cronyism."

She cleaned house, and made comfortable people angry. Simple as that.

And, no books were banned.

[David Weintraub]

"No books were banned" only because the librarian and the people said "No."

We've had our share of dealing with the self-righteous set that feels entitled to make decisions for not only their own children, but everyone else's children, too. It's the ordinary people and our "community organizers" who stand up to them and defend our Constitution. We're not going away. Not now, not ever.

[Susie Obama Supporter]

I hear they are HOMESCHOOLERS!!!! What is the world coming to? Or do they not have schools up in the arctic where she comes from?
She'll probably homeschool the 6 kids while she runs the country.

[Ashe]

I am an avowed bibliophile, and was on the verge of fully supporting McCain because of Palin; until I heard about this. This is horrible, and I can't believe that I almost supported someone who would ban books just because they do not agree with what is written.

'Hell must be a place where you can only read what you agree with'

[Sherry]

Book-banning is ridiculous!!! Just don't check-out those books from the library! You can choose to NOT READ a particular book. Like you can choose to NOT watch a tv program, NOT got to a strip club, NOT listen to a particular song. DUH!!!!!!!

WE have already fought for freedom of speech, expression, freedom to make choices with our own bodies.....STOP GOING BACKWARDS IN TIME! It is the year 2008!!!!!!! Enjoy the freedom we have and concentrate on, rather than moral and reading and pro-life issues, concentrate on ending the war, having better healthcare, lowering taxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Siman]

You people are hysterical. And really, the closest things the Nazi's and communist witch hunters I've ever seen...did you hear that she also worked with secret underground sources to create the hurricanes which hit New Orleans? Oh wait that was Farakhan who said Bush did that and the Japanese designers he teamed up with created huge fans to destroy the minorities in the city. Wake up you idiots, you're being totally ginned up by a bunch of angry loser geeks who never had a shred of decency, much less a Friday night date with someone. So they blog....

[chris mckenzie]

Friends,

Let me tell you about a book I read with murder, prostitution, bad language, thieves, and dozens of inappropriate passages that must be dealt with. This book is called, "The Bible". The Bible, is a scathing look at the worst that humanity has to offer, and reads more like a tabloid written by a drug user, then the supposed "good" book it pushes itself as. Just open it up to any page, and prepare to be shocked. I would like "The Bible" to be banned from all libraries effective immediately.

Thanks.
Yours truly.
~chris.

[ae]

Censorship of books is never, ever OK. I have read this story in enough reputable sources to believe that she at least indicated a desire to control what the local library made available. Just not cool. Freedom of thought and speech is the absolute bedrock of being an American.

And you know how you keep "dirty" books out of the hands of your children? You go to the library with them, participate in their reading, look at what they want to check out and basically BE A PARENT.

[michael]

For all the trolls shouting rumor... Did you read what you are commenting on? How about the link to the article? Or did you search for the articles in alaska news sources? It's not a rumor.

[Aartemesia]

Book banning is bad. I want to hear her side of the story. She is obviously very conservative. The story line about her having her own loyalists certainly doesn't fit with her "maverick" image. But Barack Obama has done the same thing on the Democratic side, purging his party of anyone not loyal to him.

I read these comments and I swing back and forth. The crazy right wing, intolerant, gay-bashing crowd makes me go back to the Dems. The crazy, arugala left wing, intolerant, misogynist left wing makes me go back to McCain. Both sides are just pathetic and sad.

Maybe we should all vote for third parties.

[Shadow]

The Democrats have played this all wrong. They got so addicted to relishing their own misogyny that they just couldn't stop themselves when Sarah Palin was nominated. Instead of congratulating John McCain on his historic choice and saving the attacks for later, their vile and hateful assault on her personal character created a media firestorm around her and a huge sympathy backlash even among people who don't agree with her. Every attack on her record will now be seen as more of the same lying smears we have been assaulted with in the past week. They have created a teflon candidate, one who is their worst nightmare.

The right wing now has their own rock star, thank to the Democrats. The Democrats who were taking bets on how long she would last before McCain dumped her forgot one thing: McCain is not a coward. Unlike Obama, he will not back down. And the Democratic Party can thank themselves and their continuing, cowardly silence about their own misogyny for catapulting an obscure right-wing governor into the stratosphere, bringing McCain's candidacy back from the dead, enraging women yet again, re-energizing the Republican base, and waking up the Republican money machine.

To paraphrase Pogo, You have met the enemy and it is you.

[Mommy in NC]

It is apparent from reading this so-called 'blog,' that this is simply a personal, angry retort against Sarah Palin for reasons that are likely not stated here. I am a teacher and an avid reader, and while I do not necessarily support book 'bans,' I also do not characterize books about a penguin with two dads as quality children's literature. It is enough to have the public schools and media shoving it down our children's throats. Wrongfully, parents are being shamed for trying to teach their children any sense of morality or faith as they see fit for their family. I suppose the author of this article is also against parents monitoring or censoring what their children watch on television? The bottom line is that parents, including Sarah Palin, have a right to have their opinions heard, including whether they think a book should be banned, whether it is in a public library or public school. And while my husband and I attended public schools, it is because of women like 'Anne' that my own children never will. I don't want my kids being spoon-fed the same left-wing/anything-goes philosophy that Anne deems appropriate. Just because this housewife's claim to fame is that she led a crusade against banned books in the Wasilla public library doesn't make her an expert on politics, Sarah Palin or the choices that hard-working, morally astute astute families are making for their children.

[JT]

I wonder if she would want to ban a book about a mother and her unwed teenage daughter who are both pregnant at the same time.

[Mark]

From Sammy in these comments: "Library is where children goes to often."

I am so getting that made into a t-shirt and wearing it to the DC book festival.

[CalGal]

While we're at it, just how friggin' hypocritical is it for Palin to say she "chose" to carry her Down baby or that her daughter "chose" to keep her baby.

She thinks women DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE!!

If she were truly as pro-life as she claims to be, she would have said "I had no choice, nor should any woman. My daughter, being of legal age in Alaska, did have a right to choose, thanks to a Supreme Court decision I think was wrongly decided and I think it should be overturned. But if SHE had chosen to have an abortion, I would have disowned her, because she would then have demonstrated that she is just as evil as every other woman who has ever had an abortion by choice.

She CANNOT be allowed to say she CHOSE and then deny that choice to other women.

[Pandora]

What is wrong with you right-wing nut jobs? You are all for "freedom" as described by John McCain (we know, we know, he was POW fighting for "freedom" -- as long as you are a straight, bible-thumping, environment-ruining, no-choice, nut job that likes to kill furry things and reproduce like rabbits on X. We are not actually allowed to think and decide for ouselves.) You make me sick. Why are you so intent on prohibitng sex education (cause abstinence is CLEARLY not working - just look at your VP candidate and her clan of self-professed rednecks?). Why do you think it's ok to force someone to have a chld they don't want, yet you won't allow govt. access to birth control, yet suport Viagra? Why do you force someone to have a chldr they don't want but not allow abortion and want to deny funds for CPS to help these children or fund programs for them? You know, their was a guy who promtoed that govt; should think for you and choose your morals, but he is dead. His name was Hitler. Think about it.

[Jeff]

Hey Jim, there seems to be a fair amount of background to at least create curiosity to the claims in this article, easily enough to use it as a springboard for further investigation... besides, how about the next time you post such a short response, how about you spell the word "piece" correctly for us?

[Joe Carozza]

Books like "And Tango Makes Three" "King and King" and Alice Walker's profanity- and rape-filled screeds SHOULD be banned from everywhere but college libraries.

[Michael Newsom]

Of course the "former Mayor" Palin DEFEATED would have NOOOO incentive to lie about her would he?

Give me a break, L.A. Times. I have never seen so much yellow journalism in my life, as with this woman Palin. There ought to be enough policy details for the media to confront her about without quoting unnamed, partisan or anonymous "sources" for ad hominem attacks.

[Gary]

I'm all for burning books as long as the first one is the Bible.

[loki7329]

You guys don't get it. The librarian was a public employee and this was a public library. We all pay taxes to support public institution such as the library system. If you and I disagree on whether or not a book should be on the shelf, who gets to be the arbiter? The reason we have the Constitution and the First Ammendment is to safeguard against precisely what Sarah Palin attempted to do. By attempting to ban books and fire the librarian she declared her rights were more important than anyone else. Thank goodness the community rallied around the librarian and forced Palin to rescind the termination. Censorship and book banning has no place in a democracy. If she had been successful think of the precedent that would have been set. Would every incoming mayor have the right to decide what was on the library shelf based on their preferences? If so, can you guarantee that every incoming mayor will agree with YOUR definition of what is offensive? The Constitution is there to protect all of us, because whether you want to believe it or not, your side could be the losing side in an election. Think about it.

[Brian Stuart]

This is ridiculous.

First, the quote is not complete. Then Mayor Palin asked if books could be banned if the voters thought the language was inappropriate. No one has any record of any books ever being banned.

Second, some of the books on the list were not published until after she left office.

Good job checking facts.

[thecentralop]

For askmn and kb --
You're entitled to your views and complaints about the media and Obama supporters with regards to Sarah Palin. But the campaign didn't put forth any sexist bashing. They don't have control over individuals whose written opinions come off sexist. Heck, Biden even said he thought some of things being said were sexist and ignorant. But something tells me you could care less when people on the far right say Obama is secretly a Muslim. Can you say... hypocrite. Now I also have a response to each of your posts --

To - askmb Christopher's post is a real open letter from Anne Kilkenny of Wasilla to the country. You can check out this link to the Anchorage Daily News. Yeah... a newspaper in her own state.
http://www.adn.com/sarah-palin/story/515512.html and this story in the New York Times -- http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/us/politics/03wasilla.html?em

To - kb... thank you for sharing your obvious ignorance and intolerance. You and people like you whose hatred and intolerance of others is one of the reasons, not gays and lesbians, this country is going down the toilet. Yes liberals can be intolerant and be disrespectful of others too -- but that normally comes after hate mongering, close minded individuals who have no respect for others push them to it.

[The Inquisitor]

The long note posted earlier that's reportedly from a citizen of Wasilla is interesting, and quite unreliable. If this is from one of the people who led a recall effort it seems to me we can't exactly view the content as fair and balanced. I have no doubt there's some truth to what's said in the posting. But I would also like to ask, would you want Playboy magazine in the periodicles section of your local library?

The poster also rightly notes that she cannot back up her facts on the rise in tax revenue and spending. It seems to me that if the city was "rapidly growing" as she said, that a jump in tax revenue and spending would be expected.

If she's so bad, why is she so popular in the state?