Monday, October 4, 2004

GOD BLESS TEXAS Guardian: "As first lady, Laura Bush made it a mission to encourage a love of reading, but in her home state of Texas books are often viewed with suspicion, including such classics as Nineteen Eighty-Four and Peter Pan. In its annual review of state schools and libraries, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas this week identifies 62 titles that were removed from school libraries during the 2003-04 school year following objections from parents or teachers. Restrictions were placed on an additional 33 books, including George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, following objections from the parent of a ninth grade student." In the 2002 Report challenged titles were To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare, Webster's Dictionary, The Bible, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. "When babies are born to sporting families, dedicated deer hunters start planning ahead for junior's initial trip to the woods. Whether junior is a girl or a boy, a suitable first deer rifle carries the same basic requirements." Apparently it's easer to buy a gun than borrow a book in Texas. 1:51:43 PM    comment []

© Copyright 2004 Hetty Litjens.