Tags
Simple, really.
“Check out a different book.”
This has been another edition of Short Answers to Simple Questions
20 Saturday May 2023
Posted in Uncategorized
Tag Archives: book banning
Never set foot in a library, eh, Jay (r)?
23 Sunday Apr 2023
Posted in social media
Tags
book banning, censorship, Fascist pig, Jay Ashcroft, libraries, missouri, Missouri library Association, right wingnut, Secretary of State, social media
Jay Ashcroft (r) [2021 file photo]
This past week:
[image cropped]
Jay Ashcroft @JayAshcroftMO
Wouldn’t it be nice if the @MOlibraries said, “we agree, let’s work together to protect our kids from obscene materials,” instead of, “how dare you ask that we stop giving kids obscene materials!”?
[….]
8:08 AM · Apr 18, 2023
Pearl clutching Fascist pig.
Some of the responses:
Really? Have you been to a library?
This is not happening. Anywhere.
This is a pathetic attempt to pander to the far right base for your weak run at governor.
Also, how do you think kids get to the library?
Wouldn’t it be nice if Republicans hadn’t invented a new wedge issue in the first place?
There was already a process for book complaints. This is a solution in search of a problem, in service of your quest for unending political power.
Curious who gets to define obscene?
Have you ever been to a library?
Evidently not.
It would be even nicer if Republican politicians either showed us proof of “obscene” materials in libraries or stopped trying to defund libraries and intimidate librarians.
A library transaction is a voluntary one, even for children. The patron selects a book, the librarian uses the library catalog system to denote that the patron is now in possession of the book for a period of time. The patron leaves. That’s how libraries work, Jay.
The problem is your definition of “obscene” and how you view others. In other words…your bigotry.
Wouldn’t it be nice if government officials actually did their jobs instead of making things up to fight a “culture war”.
Jay Ashcroft (r) is running for Governor.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Republicans stopped emulating Nazi Germany by banning books, closing libraries and attempting to alter history, including censoring the fact that Rosa Parks was black???
So sad that the people of Missouri are currently stuck with a SOS of state that doesn’t even understand a library.
It would be even nicer if fascists stopped lying about everything they can’t understand or control.
That’s not what happened, you’re just a bigot
Have you ever been in a library before?
When my kids were younger, I always went to the library with them & they always brought the books to me they wanted to check out first. I had the choice to decide if appropriate or not.
It’s not rocket science!
Another Christian theocrat wiping his bum with the first amendment. Fundamentally unamerican, champ.
Omg, was your dad John Ashcroft, who embarrassed Missouri and the country by requiring drapes to cover the statue of Justice when he was AG? Figures.
Yes.
Odd way of showing how you’re not a responsible parent, Jay….
Meme submitted in response to Jay Ashcroft (r)
Tell me you’ve never been to a library without telling me you’ve never been to a library.
Lying to advance your political career. I guess that’s the Ashcroft family legacy. Pathetic.
The Ashcroft family’s definition of obscenity differs wildly from people significantly less prude than they are. Remember dad’s statue problem? Had to cover that boobie lest the world fall apart. Parents don’t need the government looking over their shoulders.
Heh. One of the funniest comments at the time about the photo of then Attorney General John Ashcroft (r) standing with the draped statue of Justice in the background was “The big boob is still visible in the photo, John.”
Wouldn’t it be great if elected officials worked for all of their constituents and stopped trying to legislate morality based upon their personal beliefs.
Wouldn’t it be nice if politicians did some research? I visit our public library in Columbia MO with my grandkids every week. We spend hours perusing their excellent collection of children’s literature. We have never encountered a single example of obscenity.
Ashcroft: Vote for me. I’ll find a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist and maybe shut down some libraries in the process!
Wouldn’t it be nice if republicans would worry about real issues instead of making up fake ones daily
Wouldn’t it be nice if you knew how libraries worked?
Wouldn’t it be nice if the christo-fascist nazi movement stopped trying to impose theo-political censorship on free Americans?
There it is.
When was the last time you spent any significant time in a library? Maybe quit tweeting pandering nonsense and go visit one for a day.
Shut it, fascist
Stop talking about doing things for the children. If you actually cared about kids, pre school through secondary ed would be fully funded, including libraries, art and music. Daycare would be fully tax deductible. Kids wouldn’t be paying the price for white guys to own ARs.
Wouldn’t it be nice if people parented their own kids and stopped trying to parent mine!
Kids should definitely be protected from obscene books like the Bible.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you were bright enough to understand the mission of public libraries and know that they aren’t pushing obscenity on anyone?
Libraries don’t buy pornography. You’re defining “obscene materials” as anything that you personally don’t like – like a penguin with two dads or books with gay characters. But public libraries serve the PUBLIC. Not just fundamentalist Christians.
Got proof? I’m guessing you don’t as you have clearly never been in a library. Instead you’ve just made up an issue that doesn’t exist to try to convince people you know what you’re doing. I’m not buying it. You have no clue. Just admit your lie.
Wouldn’t it be nice if RW fundamentalists let parents decide what they want their children to read? Pure gaslighting.
We don’t want you to tell our kids what they can and can’t read.
Obscene like Ann Frank? Obscene like Harry Potter? Obscene like the Bible? Which obscene are you talking about, Jay?
Wouldn’t it be nice if you would leave our libraries alone? They are a place for everyone, not just for Christian fascists.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you actually went to a library and saw that there isn’t porn just laying around. And understood that if you don’t want your kid to read something you don’t need too…but you also don’t get to decide for my kid.
Wouldn’t it be nice if MO politicians worked on issues that would actually improve the lives of Missourians instead of fake culture war issues?
Wouldn’t it be nice if our MO Secretary of State wasn’t gaslighting and sabotaging the very libraries he pretends to support in order to operate a scam fundraising campaign out of his public office? We see your scam. Fake rule changes so Jay can $ out to run. Sad.
For generations libraries have been a tower of virtues. A place of knowledge and research. You could learn about Karl Marx, Thomas Jefferson, or what a parliamentary government is. The holder of all knowledge. They don’t force it on you. You seek it.
Someone who has actually been in a public library.
Protip… the ones banning books are never on the right side of history
Wouldn’t it be nice if you bothered to learn a thing or two about how libraries are run?
Have you considered becoming a better person?
Evidently not.
No one mistakes your bigotry for anything other than what it is.
I’ve never had a librarian force my children to read any books.
Classic straw-man argument, and not even a clever one. How did you even get through law school?
Legacy?
Wouldn’t it be great if MO GOP admitted they made up yet another problem that doesn’t exist and decided to try to solve a real issue that would actually help Missourians?
So, you’ve never actually been to library, have you?
You are being ridiculous, Mr. Ashcroft. No one is giving kids obscene materials at public schools or libraries.
MO Library Association @MOlibraries
Wouldn’t it be nice if your Sec of State consulted ANY librarians before making accusations and rules that impact their daily operations?
#FreedomToRead
[….]
11:15 AM · Apr 21, 2023
MO Library Association @MOlibraries
Wouldn’t it be nice if your Sec of State realized that libraries don’t “give” kids anything? We provide books that kids (with their parents’ involvement) can choose or not.
#FreedomToRead #WhatLibrariesDo
[….]
11:16 AM · Apr 21, 2023
That’s quite ratio there, Jay (r).
Ashcroft’s Book Ban
18 Friday Nov 2022
Posted in Uncategorized
What comes next
21 Friday Oct 2022
Posted in Uncategorized
First they came for the books and librarians…
From the Missouri Library Association:
Statement on Secretary of State Ashcroft’s Proposed Rule
October 19, 2022 [….]The Missouri Library Association considers Secretary of State Ashcroft’s proposed rule for libraries an infringement on the professional judgment of librarians, and an effort to further stoke division in the communities that libraries serve. Libraries support access to information and ideas. The placement of books and materials in libraries is something that should be left up to people with training and experience in the profession of librarianship.
Ashcroft’s proposed changes also place undue burden on small and urban libraries by undermining not only their sense of agency but their ability to access information. The libraries who are most in need of state funding and assistance are also the most at risk under the proposed change.
And:
MLA Statement on Intellectual Freedom
February 7, 2022 [….]On behalf of our members, member institutions and professional ethical standards, we at the Missouri Library Association (MLA) stand with librarians, library workers, and other educators in the state of Missouri as they select and provide access to their collections for readers. We further support the processes and procedures our libraries have in place to deal with challenges with concerned parents and community members and are deeply troubled by efforts to circumvent these processes for political gain or as a result of moral panic.
Libraries as public institutions have existed in the United States for over 250 years. Each year, we promote our foundational ideals, provide access for our patrons, and find better and more equitable avenues to improve our institutions. Perhaps our most important guiding principle comes from Ranganathan: “Every reader, their book and every book, its reader.”
The “freedom to read” is more than just a shorthand for encouraging curiosity and inquiry. It is a pillar of our democracy. Intellectual freedom means that all of us have the right to explore and engage with the ideas we choose, and to be informed about the world around us. Adults have intellectual freedom, but so do youth. We support MASL’s statement that says, “Students should have choices in what books they read.”
We librarians are skilled, credentialed and thoughtful professionals who make it our work to champion inquiry, curiosity, democracy and access to information. Librarians support the rights of parents to choose books for their own children, but not the rights of one person to choose what books are right for an entire classroom, school, or public. Through our deep immersion in books and materials, librarians and library workers understand the greater context of knowledge and understanding facilitated through our collections. We reject the claim that removing, labeling, or relocating a title will somehow shield children from the ideas contained within, especially in the context of our connected digital world. We further reject the notion that anyone can perform the work we do without significant engagement with the professional ethics and expertise of librarianship. Public and school libraries are safe places for children to encounter ideas in an environment that nurtures curiosity. Occasionally these encounters will include ideas that might be challenging. We support the right of readers to be challenged, to learn, and to grow. Librarians and educators are the critical connection between readers and their books. It is our responsibility to champion these rights.
We support the expertise, thoughtfulness, and care exercised by thousands of librarians, library workers, and educators in the state of Missouri to foster the curiosity and inquiry that lives in young people. [….]
Jay Ashcroft (r) [2017 file photo].
Tell us that you don’t know how public librariries work without telling us that you don’t know how public libraries work.
[….]
Ashcroft Submits Rule Protecting Minors From Inappropriate Materials at State Funded LibrariesJefferson City, Mo. — Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office has submitted a proposed rule that would establish a certification requirement for libraries receiving state funds and institute measures to protect minors from non-age-appropriate materials.
As stated in the proposal, libraries would adopt written policies determining what material is age-appropriate. As well, state funds could not be used to purchase or acquire inappropriate materials in any form that appeal to the prurient interest of a minor.
Libraries also would be required to honor a parent’s decision as to what material their child has access to in the library. Parents would have the right to challenge a library’s age-appropriate designation for any material.
“When state dollars are involved, we want to bring back local control and parental involvement in determining what children are exposed to,” said Ashcroft. “Foremost, we want to protect our children.”
This proposed administrative rule will be published in the Missouri Register on November 15, 2022, and then have a 30-day comment period. Secretary Ashcroft welcomes and encourages comment submission by mailing the Office of the Missouri Secretary of State, PO Box 1767, Jefferson City, MO 65102 or by email to comments@sos.mo.gov.
The Missouri State Library, within the Secretary of State’s office, promotes the development and improvement of library services throughout the state. Since taking office in 2017, Ashcroft has worked closely with Missouri’s libraries and the state legislature to improve state funding and improve public libraries.
“Supporting the efforts of libraries across our state has been a priority of mine since day one – we have been able to provide millions of dollars to libraries through grants and other funding,” Ashcroft said. “Yes, we want to make sure libraries have the resources and materials they need for their constituents, but we also want our children to be “children” a little longer than a pervasive culture many often dictate.”
—30—
“…that appeal to the prurient interest of a minor…” Welcome to America, in the 17th Century.
Does this mean fart jokes are out?
Pull my finger.
Previously:
“Die Fahne hoch! Die Reihen fest geschlossen!” (October 17, 2022)
“Die Fahne hoch! Die Reihen fest geschlossen!”
17 Monday Oct 2022
Posted in social media
Today:
Alex Johnson @thatguyjohnson7
SOS announces that books are scary and he wants to limit the public access to ideas he doesn’t approve of.
[….]
7:12 PM · Oct 17, 2022
Jay Ashcroft (r) [2021 file photo]
Who?:
Ed Martin@EagleEdMartin
Replying to @thatguyjohnson7 and @MBersin
Go ahead and defend providing pornography for school children.
9:44 PM · Oct 17, 2022
The only thing that can stop a “bad” library with a book is a “good” library with a book
13 Tuesday Sep 2022
Posted in Uncategorized
Well, at least he didn’t make it through the right wingnut republican 4th Congressional District primary in August. Not that there’s any difference.
Rick Brattin (r) [2013 file photo].
Yesterday:
Rick Brattin @RickBrattin
I’m proud to have banned these books in school libraries. It’s sick that people think this is appropriate for school age children.
[….]
8:53 AM · Sep 12, 2022
Some of the responses:
You need to watch Footloose again.
Do the Bible next.
#GFY Fascist
Can you also ban a book full of violence, bigamy, and murder?
Child sacrifice, rape, incest …
We see what you did there.
People who ban books are always on the right side of history… Right? [….]
Meh, Gender Queer is totally fine for high school kids. I’m sorry you are embarrassed by it, but not your place to say what is or is not appropriate for others’ kids.
If parents don’t like it, they can ban it for their own kids.
Stop encroaching on my kids’ liberty and choice
It takes a special kind of lack of intellect to pat on one’s back for trying to dumb the next generation to one’s level. Fortunately, there are plenty of smart parents who hand all kinds of books to their kids & tell them that life is full of variety & diversity & it’s beautiful!
Aren’t you that waste of synapses that wanted to teach young Earth Creationism?
Heh. Yep.
Nazis ban books (P)Rick
From a right wingnut PAC mailer directed at Rick Brattin (r) during the August republican primary:
It fits.
Missouri’s Book Bans
05 Saturday Feb 2022
Posted in Uncategorized
There are barbarians at the gate
27 Saturday Nov 2021
Posted in Uncategorized
Because it had to be stated:
MO Library Assoc. @MOlibraries
On behalf of our members, member institutions and professional ethical standards, we at the Missouri Library Association (MLA) stand with librarians, library workers, and other educators in the state of Missouri as they select and provide access to their collections for readers.
1:14 PM · Nov 27, 2021
We further support the processes and procedures our libraries have in place to deal with challenges with concerned parents and community members and are deeply troubled by efforts to circumvent these processes for political gain or as a result of moral panic. (2 of 14)
Libraries as public institutions have existed in the United States for over 250 years. Each year, we promote our foundational ideals, provide access for our patrons, and find better and more equitable avenues to improve our institutions. (3 of 14)
Perhaps our most important guiding principle comes from Ranganathan: “Every reader, their book and every book, its reader.”
The “freedom to read” is more than just a shorthand for encouraging curiosity and inquiry. It is a pillar of our democracy. (4 of 14)Intellectual freedom means that all of us have the right to explore and engage with the ideas we choose, and to be informed about the world around us. Adults have intellectual freedom, but so do youth. (5 of 14)
We support @MASLOnline’s statement that says, “Students should have choices in what books they read.” We librarians are skilled, credentialed and thoughtful professionals who make it our work to champion inquiry, curiosity, democracy and access to information. (6 of 14)
Librarians support the rights of parents to choose books for their own children, but not the rights of one person to choose what books are right for an entire classroom, school, or public. (7 of 14)
Through our deep immersion in books and materials, librarians and library workers understand the greater context of knowledge and understanding facilitated through our collections. (8 of 14)
We reject the claim that removing, labeling, or relocating a title will somehow shield children from the ideas contained within, especially in the context of our connected digital world. (9 of 14)
We further reject the notion that anyone can perform the work we do without significant engagement with the professional ethics and expertise of librarianship. Public and school libraries are safe places for children to encounter ideas in an environment that nurtures curiosity.
Occasionally these encounters will include ideas that might be challenging. We support the right of readers to be challenged, to learn, and to grow. Librarians and educators are the critical connection between readers and their books. (11 of 14)
It is our responsibility to champion these rights.
We support the expertise, thoughtfulness, and care exercised by thousands of librarians, library workers, and educators in the state of Missouri to foster the curiosity and inquiry that lives in young people. (12 of 14)Signed Cindy Thompson, Missouri Library Association President
Members of the Missouri Library Association Board
Members of the Missouri Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee[….]
To do otherwise would be…uncivilized.
Oi vay, part 4
02 Tuesday Sep 2008
Posted in Uncategorized
Did you know that September 27 through October 4, 2008 is Banned Books Week?
Library Bill of Rights
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
Adopted June 18, 1948, by the ALA Council; amended February 2, 1961; amended June 28, 1967; amended January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 24, 1996.
Oi vay:
Time
Mayor Palin: A Rough Record
Tuesday, Sep. 02, 2008
By NATHAN THORNBURGH / WASILLA, ALASKA…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…