literary eugenics

Dec. 1, 2004

Type: discussion

Begin forwarded message:

> Alabama Lawmaker Urges Gay Book Ban
>
> The Birmingham News in Alabama today is reporting that a state
> lawmaker, Rep. Gerald Allen, wants to ban novels with gay characters
> from public libraries, including university libraries.
>
> Allen's proposed bill would prohibit the use of public funds for "the
> purchase of textbooks or library materials that recognize or promote
> homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle." Allen said he filed the
> bill to protect children from the "homosexual agenda."
>
> Allen said that if his bill passes, novels with gay protagonists and
> college textbooks that suggest homosexuality is natural would have to
> be removed from library shelves and destroyed. "I guess we dig a big
> hole and dump them in and bury them," he said.
>
> If the bill became law, public school textbooks could not present
> homosexuality as a genetic trait and public libraries couldn't offer
> books with gay or bisexual characters. Allen said no state funds
> should be used to pay for materials that foster homosexuality. He said
> that would include nonfiction books that suggest homosexuality is
> acceptable and fiction novels with gay characters. While that would
> ban books like "Heather has Two Mommies," it could also include
> classic and popular novels with gay characters such as "The Color
> Purple," "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "Brideshead Revisted."

Comments

2004-12-01 13:14, MTAA

Perhaps a better idea is to ban any literature that promotes
christianity as an acceptable lifestyle?

Aren't Alabamans stupid enough already?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1273562/posts (from 'The
Premier Conservative News Forum' no less)

#44

(hint to Alabamans: that's 44 out of 50 US states, that means you are
really low on the list, therefore, collectively stupid)

On Dec 1, 2004, at 2:33 PM, ryan griffis wrote:

> Begin forwarded message:
>
>> Alabama Lawmaker Urges Gay Book Ban
>>
>> The Birmingham News in Alabama today is reporting that a state
>> lawmaker, Rep. Gerald Allen, wants to ban novels with gay characters
>> from public libraries, including university libraries.
>>
>> Allen's proposed bill would prohibit the use of public funds for "the
>> purchase of textbooks or library materials that recognize or promote
>> homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle." Allen said he filed the
>> bill to protect children from the "homosexual agenda."
>>
>> Allen said that if his bill passes, novels with gay protagonists and
>> college textbooks that suggest homosexuality is natural would have to
>> be removed from library shelves and destroyed. "I guess we dig a big
>> hole and dump them in and bury them," he said.
>>
>> If the bill became law, public school textbooks could not present
>> homosexuality as a genetic trait and public libraries couldn't offer
>> books with gay or bisexual characters. Allen said no state funds
>> should be used to pay for materials that foster homosexuality. He
>> said that would include nonfiction books that suggest homosexuality
>> is acceptable and fiction novels with gay characters. While that
>> would ban books like "Heather has Two Mommies," it could also include
>> classic and popular novels with gay characters such as "The Color
>> Purple," "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "Brideshead Revisted."

===
<twhid>http://www.mteww.com</twhid>
===

2004-12-01 14:34, ryan griffis

i don't think "christianity" has much to do with this - despite what
the self-appointed religious right says.
there are lots of "progressive" christian orgs/individuals.
i'm also wary of the intelligence argument… what markers are used to
assess this - IQ tests, degrees earned? The same evidence that the
right uses to portray non white populations as mentally inferior? i
don't know that you win an argument for civil rights based on logic or
intelligence. remember - many of the people arguing the other side like
guns, and they have them.
at any rate, i share your anger… this shit has got to stop.

On Dec 1, 2004, at 12:12 PM, t.whid wrote:

> Perhaps a better idea is to ban any literature that promotes
> christianity as an acceptable lifestyle?
>
> Aren't Alabamans stupid enough already?
>
> http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1273562/posts (from 'The
> Premier Conservative News Forum' no less)
>
> #44
>
> (hint to Alabamans: that's 44 out of 50 US states, that means you are
> really low on the list, therefore, collectively stupid)

2004-12-01 15:06, MTAA

I know, I know.. you're right. Those state-by-state IQ tests are
ridiculous and probably bigotted.

Stuff like this and the so-called intelligent design advocates
(creationists) drive me nuts!

On Dec 1, 2004, at 4:34 PM, ryan griffis wrote:

> i don't think "christianity" has much to do with this - despite what
> the self-appointed religious right says.
> there are lots of "progressive" christian orgs/individuals.
> i'm also wary of the intelligence argument… what markers are used to
> assess this - IQ tests, degrees earned? The same evidence that the
> right uses to portray non white populations as mentally inferior? i
> don't know that you win an argument for civil rights based on logic or
> intelligence. remember - many of the people arguing the other side
> like guns, and they have them.
> at any rate, i share your anger… this shit has got to stop.
>
> On Dec 1, 2004, at 12:12 PM, t.whid wrote:
>
>> Perhaps a better idea is to ban any literature that promotes
>> christianity as an acceptable lifestyle?
>>
>> Aren't Alabamans stupid enough already?
>>
>> http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1273562/posts (from 'The
>> Premier Conservative News Forum' no less)
>>
>> #44
>>
>> (hint to Alabamans: that's 44 out of 50 US states, that means you are
>> really low on the list, therefore, collectively stupid)

===
<twhid>http://www.mteww.com</twhid>
===