Thursday, April 28, 2005

Alabama Rep Wants to Ban Gay Authors From Schools

Here's a piece of wonder. Republican Alabama lawmaker Gerald Allen wants to introduce a bill in which public school libraries could no longer buy new copies of plays or books by gay authors, or about gay characters. His reason? Homosexuality is a sinful lifestyle, and he doesn't want to advance the Homosexual agenda.

"I don't look at it as censorship," says Allen. "I look at it as protecting the hearts and souls and minds of our children."

What, exactly, is he trying to say here? It's only censorship if its not done for a reason, like if they flip a coin or something? I mean, because anything done for the good of the people isn't censorship, right?

Alabama Uber Alles!

I think the best solution to get rid of this guy is for gays not to condemn him, oh no. They should embrace him, and endorse him in the most enthusiastic manner possible. They should take out ads on his behalf in the next election, and with no reservations declare him a great friend to the homosexual community.

Anyway, here's the article:

(CBS) A college production tells the story of Matthew Sheppard, a student beaten to death because he was gay.

And soon, it could be banned in Alabama.

Republican Alabama lawmaker Gerald Allen says homosexuality is an unacceptable lifestyle. As CBS News Correspondent Mark Strassmann reports, under his bill, public school libraries could no longer buy new copies of plays or books by gay authors, or about gay characters.

"I don't look at it as censorship," says State Representative Gerald Allen. "I look at it as protecting the hearts and souls and minds of our children."

Books by any gay author would have to go: Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote and Gore Vidal. Alice Walker's novel "The Color Purple" has lesbian characters.

Allen originally wanted to ban even some Shakespeare. After criticism, he narrowed his bill to exempt the classics, although he still can't define what a classic is. Also exempted now Alabama's public and college libraries.

Librarian Donna Schremser fears the "thought police," would be patrolling her shelves.

"And so the idea that we would have a pristine collection that represents one political view, one religioius view, that's not a library,'' says Schremser.

"I think it's an absolutely absurd bill," says Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

First Amendment advocates say the ban clearly does amount to censorship.

"It's a Nazi book burning," says Potok. "You know, it's a remarkable piece of work."

But in book after book, Allen reads what he calls the "homosexual agenda,"
and he's alarmed.

"It's not healthy for America, it doesn't fit what we stand for," says Allen. "And they will do whatever it takes to reach their goal."

He says he sees this as a line in the sand.

In Alabama's legislature, the reviews of Allen's bill are still out on whether to lower this curtain for good.

Posted by crimnos @ 8:31 AM