get donkey!

UPDATED!!!!! Rally in Montgomery County to Protest banning of books

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post about County Judge Alan Sadler’s attempts to ban a children’s book on sex education and withdraw Montgomery County from the “liberal” Amercian Library Association.

A reader named Marguerite posts in the comments that there will be a rally to protest Sadler’s actions. Here are the details from Marguerites’ comment:

Monday they will rally at Commissioners Court in Montgomery County.
Extremist conservative groups are asking members to attend the Commissioners Court on Monday morning to support removal of “It’s Perfectly Normal” along with ALL other “pro-homosexual” books from Montgomery County Libraries.
County Judge Sadler is leading the effort. He also is heading up a move to withdraw Montgomery County Libraries from the National Library Association because the group is “too liberal.”.

Monday, September 9th, 9:30 a.m.
at the Commissioners Court, Conroe
301 N. Thompson, Suite 210
(Office Number: 936 539-7812,
the Administration building immediately west of Conroe City Hall,
on “the square”)
Please Come to the meeting Monday, September 9th, at 9:30 a.m. at
the Commissioners court, Conroe, or if that is not possible, please
call 936-539-7812 and express your support for a free and uncensored Montgomery County Library System.

Thanks, Marguerite!

UPDATE — 09/10/2002: The Chonicle has a follow-up story about County Judge Sadler’s crusade to ban all knowledge of things he doesn’t like.

Unfortunately the article makes no mention of the rally other than saying, “A crowd of about 200 people spilled into the hallways at Commissioners Court on Monday to hear the debate on a proposed ban on It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie H. Harris.“.

There is plenty about the close-minded, holier-than-thou knowledge police, however:

County Judge Alan B. Sadler said he had received hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of comments from residents and the sentiment appears to be about evenly split on the issue.

“It frankly does not sway my feelings on wanting more control on what is on the shelves that is accessible to children in Montgomery County,” Sadler said.

“We have to draw a line in the sand,” said Jim German, a Republican precinct chairman. “We are fed up with the liberals shoving immoral views down our throats.”

…

Most of the speakers — many of them members of the Republican Leadership Council, the Christian Coalition of Montgomery County and area Christian churches — called for Williams to be fired, for the creation of a citizen review panel and for the county’s withdrawal from the American Library Association.

Some even attacked the county’s $10 million bond proposal, scheduled for a November election, to build three libraries. They said the money would help to purchase unwanted books.

“It shows a gross lack of good judgment and accountability,” said the Rev. Bill C. Craft, executive director of Christian Life Ministries of Conroe. “Those promoting these liberal attitudes have the audacity to promote a `yes’ vote on a $10 million library bond issue.”

…Sadler has vowed to change the policy for selecting children’s books within 30 days, probably adding citizen members to a local library panel that examines books for purchase.

Did you hear thar thud? That was my jaw dropping to the floor.

Oh and don’t forget this:

Also Monday, Frank P. Williamson of west Montgomery County complained that the library refused to display a poster featuring an American flag and the motto “In God We Trust” until it was approved by the library board.

“Here we are celebrating Sept. 11 and we can’t post it in the library,” Williamson said.

Ah so Williamson wants to protect freedom of expression as long as it is what he feels needs expresssion.

The only voice of reason reported in the piece is from the Northwoods Unitarian Universal Church of The Woodlands:

“What is at issue is the attempt by certain individuals to impose their views on the rest of the county,” said K.E.S Palmisano of The Woodlands, reading a statement from the church. “It is contrary to the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech, press and religion. We are free to decide for ourselves what to read and review.”

Amen to that!

September 7th, 2002 Posted by Rob | Politics | 4 comments