Banning books is for bullies

Some people have become so alarmed by what children might read in school or in libraries that they want books they don’t like removed — immediately. e targeted books include scenes of sexual awakening, gender identity, racism or violence.

But why aren’t these alarmists focusing on a book that’s chock-full of incest, rape and gore? I’m talking, of course, about the Bible.

In Genesis 19:30-36, Lot’s daughters get him drunk in a cave and his eldest daughter has incestuous sex with him. Judges 12 tells how an angry mob surrounds a Levite and his concubine, so he appeases them by handing over his companion. What happens next to the sacri ced woman is too gory for me to describe.

Yet the Bible hasn’t been a target of book banners; moreover, some zealots attack books they’ve never read. ey just have a list.

People on the warpath about “dangerous” books started urging

WRITERS ON THE RANGE libraries and schools to ban books they found objectionable in 2021. at discontent bubbled to the surface during COVID-caused school shutdowns and has now erupted into a culture war. says a person is guilty of “disseminating material harmful to minors” when they knowingly loan material with detailed sexual descriptions to underage children. e 24 books she cited were all “young adult” books, and parental consent was already required before they could be checked out. giving away 1,500 of the banned books — donated by concerned citizens — to Nampa students and teachers.

I recall two friends who trekked in two di erent ways. One set out with a plan that did not unfold as intended. Instead, it became a grand adventure into self-learning. Consequently, he returned with a deeper understanding and insight into himself and a clearer perspective about what to write about next. e other friend was quite sure about her reason for leaving. She simply felt the need to go. It took her out of her comfort zone, which is always a grand place to be, for that is where true learning and adventure takes place. e beauty is that both listened to and honored their inner selves. at is the spirit of Imbolc. So do not dawdle until you see literal blossoms and green grass appearing. As the stock line goes, “Life is what happens when you’re planning.” Your task at Imbolc is to start on the underground, preparatory back work of future creations to ensure that when your project becomes truly visible to the world around you, it will appear with radiant and luscious beauty.

Jerry Fabyanic is the author of “Sisyphus Wins” and “Food for ought: Essays on Mind and Spirit.” He lives in Georgetown.

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Crista V. Worthy

In Idaho, where I live, book banners have targeted the state’s three largest cities of Boise, Meridian and Nampa, all in the Treasure Valley in southwest Idaho.

So far, only Nampa has succumbed to the pressure. Oddly, the book tossing was started by just one woman, Tosha Sweeney, who emailed the Nampa school board to demand that it remove 24 “pornographic” books that sex o enders might use to “plan their attacks.”

To bolster her demand, she cited section 18-1515 of Idaho law, which

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RYLEE DUNN Community Editor rdunn@coloradocommunitymedia.com ere was no formal review, infuriating some parents who championed free speech and free choice. A month later, they joined students and teachers outside the Nampa school district o ces to protest the bans.

In a city as big as Nampa, with over 100,000 residents, you’d think one person’s demands would at least require a hearing before action is taken, yet the school board removed all 24 books “forever.” As it turned out, only 23 books were taken o the shelves because one young adult book on the list had never been bought.

Laura Delaney, who owns Rediscovered Books in nearby Boise, fought back against censorship by

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“ ese books are written because authors are trying to gure out the world, and having them share their wisdom with people of all generations and backgrounds makes a difference,” Delaney told reporters. en the Idaho state Legislature jumped on the controversy. Last year, House Republicans passed HB 666 to hold librarians “criminally liable” for distributing material considered “harmful to minors.”

“I would rather my 6-year-old grandson start smoking cigarettes tomorrow than get a view of this stu at the public library or anywhere else,” said Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa. A misdemeanor conviction for disseminating harmful materials includes up to one year in jail and a $1,000 ne. Many librarians found

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