More information is coming out about Palin and her quest to ban books from the Wasilla Library during her time as Mayor. 
A New York Times article details disturbing information about Palin's push for censorship of books she considered "immoral". Care to guess the focus of her ire?
"Daddy's Roommate", a book that helps kids understand same-sex families.
Laura Chase, the campaign manager during Palin's first run for mayor in 1996, as well as Palin's mayoral predecessor John Stein, both confirmed that she pushed to have the book removed from the library because it "didn't belong there." Ms. Chase read the book, found it inoffensive, and suggested Palin read it. Palin's response was that she "didn't need to read that stuff."
Here's the full excerpt from the article:
Witnesses and contemporary news accounts say Ms. Palin asked the librarian about removing books from the shelves. The McCain-Palin presidential campaign says Ms. Palin never advocated censorship.
But in 1995, Ms. Palin, then a city councilwoman, told colleagues that she had noticed the book "Daddy's Roommate" on the shelves and that it did not belong there, according to Ms. Chase and Mr. Stein. Ms. Chase read the book, which helps children understand homosexuality, and said it was inoffensive; she suggested that Ms. Palin read it.
"Sarah said she didn't need to read that stuff," Ms. Chase said. "It was disturbing that someone would be willing to remove a book from the library and she didn't even read it."
"I'm still proud of Sarah," she added, "but she scares the bejeebers out of me."
She scares the bejeebers out of me too.
Palin was well-known for inserting her religious beliefs into her governing, and this dangerous censorship is a prime example. Her blind push to rid a library of a book she never even read, simply because it mentions gay people, is disturbing to say the least.
And not only did Palin want the book banned, but when the librarian refused, she tried to fire her for not giving "full support" to the mayor. Palin reversed course on the librarian's dismissal after a local outcry, and later said the discussions about banning books were "rhetorical."
"Rhetorical"? To me, this kind of dangerous censorship, and the ensuing political payback for those not towing the line, is one of the biggest indicators of Palin's value's and governing style. To me Palin isn't just the "unqualified moose-hunter" or any of the other jokes made about her. She is a dangerous religious zealot who seeks to enforce her views on everyone she governs.
And she might be a heartbeat away from the Presidency.
Here's a report from ABC about Palin's book banning efforts:
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9 Comments
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Why an I not at all surprised of which books she wanted to ban, nor that she didn't bother to read them.
zythyra | September 14, 2008 12:11 PM
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As frightening as book burning is, the same article painted her as GW Bush's kindred spirit when secrecy and cronyism are concerned.
Did I say burning? Oooops, my bad. Close enough.
gregC | September 14, 2008 3:57 PM
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Well, I'd expect her to want to ban it even if she did read it.
I think liberals would do well to keep on pushing the fact that she's a completely insane fundie. Americans are sick of them, and there's ample evidence of wacky stuff she's done.
Alex Blaze | September 14, 2008 5:22 PM
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I wish all Americans of any faith would take a moment and quietly slip in to the back of a large, well established, Assembly of God church service just to get an idea of the playbook Sarah Palin calls the shots from. My partner's dad is an Assembly of God minister and we have had first hand exposure to their kind worry for our morals. As children, my partner and his sister weren't allowed to go to movies, listen to music (other than hymns), watch television, dance, play cards, go to the theatre and the list goes on. Granted that was thirty plus years ago and the church, which Palin is a member of, has put a fresh coat of purity paint on all those old temptations. But the basis of what that Church teaches is still there. Now they sing in "Passion Plays" at Christmas and dance onstage at church only to illustrate the downfall of unclean morals. And there's plenty of money behind that church, make no mistake.
Banning books is the least of it.
Steveck | September 15, 2008 2:09 AM
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Why is a person who wants to ban books even considered electable in a free society? It's appalling.
fantwho | September 15, 2008 2:13 AM
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I just wanted to pass along a link to an article on the same subject at Salon.com. It sent a cold chill down my spine.
Salon.com
gregC | September 15, 2008 2:38 AM
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Thank you Waymon. I still remember those old prohibitions of the Catholic priests of what movies we could see. How dare people think for themselves! Many do not want to.
Robert Ganshorn | September 15, 2008 3:50 AM
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I'm really hopeful that the media does a thorough investigation of Palin and it ends up sinking the entire ticket. Sadly, the VP usually doesn't hurt/help much - Quayle didn't cost Bush I the election, for example. Of course, Quayle was just stupid - not a rabidly right wing fundie.
Bil Browning | September 15, 2008 11:07 AM
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I don't understand how someone is allowed to ban books from a library. A library is there so that people can get information. It's a resource. Daddy's Roommate is not an "immoral" book. This stuff makes me mad. What do you guys think about what the pastor said in this video? WE JUSTIFY OUR SIN AND THAT'S WHY WE FEEL GUILTY??!
Ervin | September 15, 2008 1:25 PM
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