An interesting quote from an article on the leader of the American Veterans In Domestic Defense:
“AVIDD’s true agenda became glaringly obvious when Cabaniss said that the books were put in the library by a gay, lesbian and transgendered task force devoted to spreading their lifestyle to others. He said, â€?This group represents only one percent of the American people and they are deciding what goes into our libraries.”
“He then stepped off his flatbed pulpit to approach a group of young males protesting AVIDD. â€?I recognize you,“ Cabaniss said to the three men. â€?You’re part of the one percent.“
Something in the water… …there must be something awfull “in the water”…
Where ever this story ocurred
athat is the only simple explanation for this story.
Re:Something in the water…
Montgomery County, Texas. Scene of a long running censorship movement from 2002. This is just more of the same, albeit it is an unrelated action so far as I can tell. Must be something in the air.
Book burning will never be an answer
Unfortunately the American Veterans In Domestic Defense is not the only group leading a rally of censorship regarding this “list” of books. It’s Perfectly Normal, is only one of many books they want removed from school and public libraries to protect our children.
The group Concerned Women for America is also leading a campaign to have our children “protected” from this book. They are not a group you want to laugh off. Their agenda is that the book promotes homosexuality and abortion. This group is a very scary bunch. They are extremely well orgazined and led by Beverly Lahaye,wife of author Tim Lahaye. They write persuasive articles that use information from the book out of context, provide misinformation, and in some examples flat-out lie. This is what they did in the article, Commentary: ‘It’s Perfectly Normal’ to Corrupt our Children. This article is being used to fan-the-flames for censorship of the book.
They have a huge e-mail campaign and target church and other community groups. They encourage them to act at the grass-roots level and also make it very easy for these groups to get petitions going and communities stirred up by providing links for contacting local, state and national politicians.
A group in our community is applying pressure to our library board of directors to have this book moved to the Parenting Shelf, which would remove it from the intended audience of 4th to 8th grade, and a form of censorship.
Although many of these people sound like complete nuts–this particular group CWFA is very organized and, to the people who believe what they preach, sound very rational. They currently have launched an attack against the Girl Scouts of America, which encourages empowerment of young girs and instead support the group Heritage Girls. They are also targetting the American Girl doll and the CEO of the company because of a partnership to raise funds for Girls, Inc., which is pro-choice. They are against the Hate Crime Bill–because it protects homosexuals.
I encourage you to visit their website: http://www.cwfa.org to see for yourself how hateful–and powerful–this group is. Please do everything you can to expose and fight this group–and others like it. CWFA is a group that citizens do not laught at, but instead embrace as exposing the truth–to protect our children. They need to be stopped. We need to take action to protect our children, our libraries and our communites from hate groups like them.
Re:Book burning will never be an answer
The fact that they are vocal doesn’t make them any worse then a profession that buys highly questionable books and puts them on the shelf without considering the impact it may have on the community.
And again, a parenting shelf is a pretty common thing which actually promotes a parent’s involvement with their child. If libraries are going to continue to say that its the parent’s responsibility what a child then they should provide the tools for them to do so.
As for the hate crime law, a lot of people are against the law in general. Those that are against it because it protects gays see what can happen in places like Canada where it could be a hate crime to preach against homosexuality in churchs.
Re:Something in the water… …first it is in the air then it gets into the water ..then they use the water to make Cool Aid for their friends…if they drink the Cool Aid then they feel a need to shred the books that are are most important to them and inexplicably a love of banjo music is nurtured.
You are right Fang Face
Re:Book burning will never be an answer
I personally believe it is a crime to preach against homosexuality in the church–it certainly isn’t what I consider Christian.
Also, all public libraries encourage that parents be involved in the selection of materials with their children. And there is a
place for materials on the parent shelf. The book
in question was written to be read by children
between grades 4 to 8. Moving a book to a section
away from its intended readership is a form of
censorship.
Also, for a group to use information out of context, misinform readers about what the book actually says, and to flat-out lie should make people suspect of what the group’s ulterior motive is; which is to promote homophobia and
anti-choice. To resort to these tactics to promote a group’s agenda is wrong.
A Library operates within the parameters of a selection policy, uses professional journals and reviews to select materials and has educated staff to determine where materials should be placed in the library.
A public library has a responsiblity to its
community to provide materials that represent a broad range of interestes, perspectives, cultures and points of view. To do otherwise would be irresponsible. The book, It’s Perfectly Normal is not questionable–it’s censorship that is questionable.