robg writes “CNN reported yesterday that Kansas Attorney General Phil Kline is preventing more than 1,600 CDs from the state’s public libraries because they were deemed to “promote violence or illegal activity.”
Among the banned discs are artists such as OutKast, Rage Against the Machine, Lou Reed, and Devo. The American Civil Liberties Union calls it censorship. A spokesperson for the AG’s office said the AG is acting in the best interests of the people of the state, since the “albums… did not mesh with the values of a majority of Kansans.”
The Kansas Library Association is supporting the decision. KLA’s executive director said the attorney general “did the libraries a big favor”, saying the libraries would have made the decision to remove them anyways.
The discs are part of 51,000 CDs sent to Kansas as part of a 2002 court settlement between the music industry and forty US states over allegations of price fixing.”
The pot in Kansas is that good?
KLA agrees with this nonsense? I have a whole list of things I think promote violence, but Devo is not one of them. (It’s a beautiful world we live in.)
I realize that collection development is a local decision but I think librarians, not state library associations nor attorneys general should make collection development decisions.
Even though I think a lot of the music they selected is crap, heck most music made by groups that didn’t exist before the early 90’s is crap. But if the libraries get free CD’s (yes I know there are costs for technical processing but bite me if that is your only argument) they should make them available. 2/3 of the stuff to read in the library is crap too, but if people want Danielle Steele you’re not going to force C.S. Lewis on them.
Devo+Evil=Devil
I’ve long railed against the hidden messages of Devo’s culture-destroying music disguised as harmless electronic pop. Witness their cover of the Rolling Stones classic, “Satisfaction”:
As if girlie action is the end-all and be-all of existence. Rampant hedonism, I tell you!
And then, there’s the S&M classic, “Whip It,” which has been re-foisted on an unsuspecting public in the guise of a Swiffer commercial.
“When a problem comes along, you must Swiffer.”
You must Swiffer, indeed.
And who can forget the Clockwork Orangesque “Through Being Cool,” from the New Traditionalists
And perhaps there’s the worst example of all, “Freedom of Choice,” which wantonly thumbs its nose at attempts by government to maintain control over an unruly populace:
So, Mr. ONeil, I suggest you take a harder look at this alleged harmless band, Devo. They are nothing but trouble, I tell you.
Oh for heaven’s sake.
Devo?
I hope they banned the Dead Milkmen then (their songs offend just about everyone). What about Tool? Eminem?
Hey, doesn’t Luther Vandross encourage adultery? or Barry White?
Ok librarians in Kansas. Rise up!
Re:Oh for heaven’s sake.
“Rise Up” wasn’t a Kansas song, it was by Parachute Club. Geez.