Sara Nelson Blog | 09/18/2008 3:30 pm

Sarah Palin and the Case of the Banned Books, by Sara Nelson

By Sara Nelson

Editor’s Note: Sara Nelson is the editor in chief of Publisher’s Weekly, the industry’s leading news source, covering every aspect of creating, producing, marketing and selling the written word in book, audio, video and electronic formats.

Given that we’re all “book people,” I assume that most of us got several copies of the list of books supposedly banned by Sarah Palin that circulated on the Internet last week. At last count, I received a dozen e-mails with the list attached, some of them from friends wanting to share the pain, and some suggesting I run the list in Publisher’s Weekly. I considered it, of course, until the list was declared a hoax — apparently, it names titles that have been banned at one time or another in American history and, most tellingly, a few books that hadn’t even been published when Palin was mayor.

What’s the truth of Sarah and the librarian? According to several reports, Palin had asked at least one librarian what the town’s “policy” was on book banning, which is a perfectly acceptable question for a new mayor to ask, though one that could have had a different agenda behind it than if, say, I had asked it. The librarian, Mary Ellen Emmons, reportedly allowed as how she didn’t believe in book banning. She was later fired, but after a public outcry the popular librarian was reinstated. That said, there is no real evidence that Palin tried to remove books from the library. Choosing titles at random from the bogus list, which included Brave New World, Catch-22 and the Harry Potter books, the only one I found not to be at the Wasilla public library was Heather Has Two Mommies, a book about lesbian parenting (duh) that no doubt is absent from many a smalltown stack. So while Palin stands for many things about which my feelings range from unease to stout disapproval, one thing I cannot accuse her of is being a book banner. Case closed.

Of all the kinds of phony lists that a Palin basher might concoct ... the one that won a hoaxter's heart was a roster of books banned.

But I couldn’t help being struck by something: Of all the kinds of phony lists that a Palin basher might concoct — number of abortion clinics shuttered, say, or the contents of her personal arsenal — the one that won a hoaxter’s heart was a roster of books banned. Many of the book people I know would be just as appalled at assaults on women’s reproductive rights or limp regulation of guns, yet there were no smear campaigns that I know of on these hot topics. And why is that?

Maybe, in a way, focusing on book banning is easy. While there is indeed a wide range of popular opinion about abortion and gun rights, there’s considerably less dispute about censorship. Like child abuse, few are for it. And surely part of the bogus e-mail campaign’s power was that it confirmed for us something we already believed: that Palin is an extremist in social matters.

But I also think that the prevalence and vehemence of the banned-books e-mail — it was picked up by the mainstream press and eventually debunked by USA Today, among others — suggests something else, something I find in a roundabout, slightly twisted way, pretty positive. To wit: Books matter. They matter in the national conversation. They matter enough for us to solicit and debate our potential leaders’ attitudes toward them.

In other words, they are lifeblood even for those for whom they’re not livelihood.

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Dearest Catherine, First of all if you are a christian as you so state, then you know I am not an idiot as I am only stating that the word of God says abortion is wrong and he is against it. I do not take a hostile attitude in speaking the truth. Taking a hostile attitude and proclaiming piousness would be to state that anyone who has an abortion is going to hell and unforgiveable and I never said that and if you intently read my post, it would have been quite obvious that I stated neither. I don’t presume to know anything about you and never claimed that I did. You posted to me and I replied, pure and simple. You also need to realize I am going to post my beliefs whether they are contrair to yours or not. It is rather you that that passes judgement that causes me to truly question your statement of being a Christian, as all I did was state the truth of Gods word. Again if you believed in Gods word and knew it for that matter, you would not post rantingly to me about being pious. You were not belittled or demeened, you were being a smart ass in your post to me and I corrected you. Now if you want to post to me without being a smart ass, then I will be happy to correspond to you accordingly. I also never said I flew airplanes, I said I fly smart, in other words, I am a master of my own time management. I am a Flight Attendant. “A perfect example of you reading things that were not said” and reading far more into my post than anything I said in it. I’m honored that you would think me so glorious, especially when that was never stated by me either. If you have a problem with Gods word and his truth, I think it best you take it up with him, you also might want to figure out where your hostility stems from. I wish you the same wonderful day! God Bless you as well.

By HA BIBI on 09/23/2008 6:57 pm

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Pardon me, I stand corrected, you don’t fly airplanes. Elaine, you can question all you wish where I stand as a Christian, that’s fine, I am at peace with God, and I follow his word as best as I can. I won’t question your Christianity, I simply question the fact that as a Christian, you have posted many posts where you seemingly talk down to those who take a different stance on the issues than you. As for being a smart ass, well Elaine, you were the one that posted to me about me and my kind, so I guess it takes a smart ass to know one. You are the one that mentioned the time of my post and how you apparently have more stamina. You were the one to preach about community service and being a single parent and blah blah blah. So please, don’t accuse me of being pious, I was only trying to point out that I do many of the things that you either assumed I didn’t or made you somehow better than others. I never called you an idiot by stating what you believe to be God’s word about abortion, I said please don’t make yourself look like an idiot by assuming you know anything about me, referring to the comment about “me and my kind”, if those words alone are not your judgement of me then I don’t know what is! Elaine, you stated “if you believed in Gods word and knew it for that matter,” again, judgement because my belief doesn’t fall in line with yours. I know God’s word Elaine, my perception of God’s word may differ from yours, again who are you to judge me? You accuse me of misreading your post Elaine, well obviously you misread mine if you got in any way the impression that I find you glorious. For only God is glorious, and you fall far short of that distinction. I have no issue with you posting your beliefs Elaine, none whatsoever, my issue is simply that other people will post theirs as well, and if you want your posts respected, then perhaps you should extend the same courteousy. As far as “my hostility”, I’m not hostile Elaine, I simply replied that you seriously misjudged me. If you read my post Elaine, you would have seen where I stated that I do not believe in abortion “except” in cases of incest and rape or certain death for the mother. However again I state, I respect other women’s right to choose, because it is not my place to judge them, or accuse them of murder. I believe women faced with such a decision, have enough pain and turmoil in their lives, without using the word of God against them. Anyway, I have better things to do than sit here and argue with you any longer. I get the impression that regardless of how much we have in common, you only see and seek the differences, and yes use them to belittle and demeen, again “me and my kind”. So in closing, from one supposed “smart ass” to another, take care and have a great day. May God bless you and keep you.

By Catherine Kaiman on 09/24/2008 10:27 am

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No catherine, go back and reread the posts. I never posted to you, you posted to me first 9/19 with the so called smart assed comments. I didn’t even know you exsisted until you posted me and you can call it anything you want, but you and I fully know that you were being a smart ass. Why is it that when there is no judgement by me to anyone personally and I have simply stated Gods truth, people like you show up with there little digs and act as if I am speaking to you directly, If I didn’t know any differently, I’d think you were convicted of something. You say I seemingly talk down to people who differ in their beliefs. Seemingly is the same as to assume and all it does is present a feeble case of making an ass out of you and me. If I state the word of God and what he says, where do come off accusing me of talking down to people? I’ll repeat in this post, that to judge people, would be akin to telling them they would go to hell or that they could never be forgiven, all of which, I never said and that is where you come off as self righteous in assuming I spoke down to anyone.You can post till you are blue in the face and justify all you wrote, i.e. “feeling as if I were saying I had more stamina than you and all the other nonsense you opened with, in the first of postings to me by you (not the other way around) I replied to you as such, as you know full well you were being a smart ass. As for me making the “Glorious” statement, that too was a play on your being the smart ass, I truly believe you to be. As you are not woman enough to 1) Admit that you posted to me first with your smart assed comments and 2) the best you have is it “seems” that I’m talking down to people. I post Gods word and you claim all this other BS that doesn’t exist. You may have better things to do than sit here and argue with me any longer, I’ll suggest one. Grow up and get your facts straight. And no, I have nothing in common with people like you who attempt to dump their little buckets of s*** (more than likely, their own guilt over something)and don’t have their facts straight about what was really said and not on what it “seems” like to you! So, in closing, “You were the smart ass”…..who couldn’t admit it. :)

By HA BIBI on 09/24/2008 12:39 pm

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Elaine, first of all, no I have not been convicted of anything, nor do I suffer from some underlining guilt. These statements only further prove my point. Yes, I freely admit my post about “flying and saving the worlds unborn”, was unsavory, I take full accountability for that. However, I have read many of your replies to other women on here, which have read much worse than my post to you. First of all Elaine, it was you that brought up the stamina, referring to the time of my post compared to yours, your attempt at being a smart ass. You, took it upon yourself, to assume my beliefs, questioning my understanding of God’s word, your attempt at being a smart ass. It was you that made the comment regarding “me and my kind”, your attempt at being a smart ass. It was you that posted about me thinking you were glorious, your attempt at being a smart ass. Your comment regarding dumping little buckets of sh*t, your attempt at being a smart ass. Suggesting I have been convicted of something, your attempt at being a smart ass. Suggesting I have underlying guilt over something, your attempt at being a smart ass. Once again making assumptions about someone, just because her beliefs differ from your own. Assuming my stance on abortion even though I made it very clear I do not condone abortion except for certain circumstances. “Grow up and get your facts straight. And no, I have nothing in common with people like you who attempt to dump their little buckets of s*** “…Perhaps you should heed your own advice Elaine. I am plenty woman enough to admit my ONE comment was inappropriate, however I doubt very much you are woman enough to admit you were attacking my character in your previous posts as well as this one as well as insinuating things about my character. Elaine, those that live in glass houses…oh and please don’t drown in your own little buck of s***.

By Catherine Kaiman on 09/24/2008 2:22 pm

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Catherine, Keep going, you’re getting closer to admitting that you were a smart ass and I appreciate it, it shows that there is hope that you can see that I never judged anyone on any of my posts regarding thus issue. However you do continue to justify your being a smart ass. as 1) my comment to you and your kind was not made to you but someone else, then lo and behold catherine posts a respond to my post and this is the first time I am aware of you so it is you who became, by your own choice to ingratiate yourself to being those of your kind. 2) you posted to me as a smart ass and again I corrected you. 3) the continued smart ass response to me of being glorious was your original statement not mine I just threw that bucket of s*** right back at you as it was your s*** to begin with and I feel you should keep your own. You and your kind are the ones who try and dump your little buckets of s**** because you can’t stand yourselves so you have to attempt to dump it on others. 4) Assuming that I wrote a post specifically to you, when I knew nothing of your existance, is an incredible sign of insecurity. 5) Don’t care that you have a different belief system…Hell, I didn’t even know you were on the planet before you posted to me being a smart ass. 6) You indeed were the only one between us that got all your preconcieved (seemed like) facts with regards to my post incorrect. 7) No, you’re not fully the woman you think you are, you are a smart ass and you got put in check. Post to me as a smart ass and you will recieve a smart ass reply. plain and simple, or is there something you still can’t comprehend about that. 8) I will never drown in a bucket of s*** as I don’t take it from anyone, I rightfully return it back to its original owner and in this case,You.

By HA BIBI on 09/24/2008 3:42 pm

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Elaine, As a born again christian I have encountered many who feel just like you and while I commend you for the fact that you are doing your part to discourage abortion I find sometimes at church that the women who are the most passionate about this cause are also the same ones that cause a greater divide because many who are seeking Jesus compassion over decisions they are making or have made in the past do not always find it in the arms of the fervent more often in those women who know how to project Jesus mercy and meekness. I live in a community that endured a “summer of mercy” many summers ago and they did not garner respect in the community with their actions in fact quite the opposite happened. Most women are moderates on this issue and do not relate with the far left or far right. I do not like abortion but do not feel like it is in the best interest of women for government to legislate this issue. We need better education on how to prevent pregnancy, I think it is fairly obvious to all that Abstinence is not effective in preventing pregnancy. I find it sad that the extremes on each side cannot reach a compromise we need more alternatives like ru486 and the morning after pill as well as condoms, the pill etc, so we can lessen the need for abortion. We also need to figure out how to effectively care for all the young children that are clogging our foster care system. Those who are opposed to abortion need to foster and adopt the children that are now in the system, the foster care system is overloaded. So we need a comprehensive plan that takes into consideration the realities of the world we live in.

By g c on 09/19/2008 12:29 am

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Yes I have two children of my own and we are in the process of adopting a 15 old girl, from the foster care system. Didn’t want anyone to think I was being a hypocrite.

By g c on 09/19/2008 12:34 am

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gc, Now you are a woman that I respect. You write a well thought out post that shows you have concerns without the hell bent attitudes of those that flat out don’t care and for that I appreciate you and your response. First, I’d like to say as I had not stated earlier, and that is, I am 100% for birth control. I don’t believe that women shoud have more children than they can afford to care for, thus my position on abortion. I do understand that things happen, i.e. condoms breaking, birth control failed, and the lack of abstinence ect…. But I also believe that when those and other circumstances occur…Well then, murdering that child is where we have to as a nationtake a step back and realize that it is no fault of the childs for being concieved and their punishment, by so many is unjustified and wrong. There are so many that want to adopt those to which you addressed but beauracracy and red tape prevents so many from doing so. I’m on your team though with that thought. Thank you again for a respectful and well thought out post. :)

By HA BIBI on 09/19/2008 1:06 am

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Elaine, thank you for the kind response, I appreciate it. I believe as women if we can discuss this topic in language that is not so divisive, and inflammatory we all win and we would find many of us do not feel comfortable with abortion but are uncomfortable with making it completely illegal most agree it should not be a common thing and that we all should work towards the numbers going down. Abortion if made illegal would not stop it would just move underground like drug dealers. We need better alternatives that are not surgically invasive and are effective very quickly if you believe you have had a break down in protection. I am not happy with the fact that I believe my teenage son and his girlfriend have been active but both sets of parents have spoken to them about protection and I have found condoms in his room, I find this better then abstinence. the genie is out of the bottle. My dads mother was a young newly married women during the depression they married in the early 1930’s my dad was not born til 1940, he asked her how that was possible and she replied that during the depression people could not afford to have children so they just took the herbs and it took care of the pregnancy caused a miscarriage. So, I believe this has gone on, perhaps since the beginning but herbal medicine was used instead of surgical. the herb was ergot. I believe this to be true because many years later my mother in law told me when she was younger she had intense migraines but they were very cautious because the medicine at that time used to treat the migraine included ergot which caused miscarriage. In one of the debates Hillary was asked a question and she talked about being pro choice but she also talked about visiting China and being appalled at their policies and then taking a trip to Romania after Ceausescu was overthrown and how heartbreaking the orphanages were in that country that did not even allow birth control and the result of both of those policies and how we all need to work to bring down the number of unwanted pregnancys. We need a thoughtful dialogue in this country because we are not solving it being so radical on either side. Solutions that are practical. It is a hard subject sometimes to speak about in a measured manner. I would not be so concerned about overturning roe v wade if we had better alternatives in place but that doesn’t mean I am against restrictions on late term or am for barbaric methods. Our health care situation in this country is also such a mess that we would need to address that issue as well for all these young women or poor women who cannot afford health care for themselves or their children because unless it is provided through their job or the government the ones not far over the poverty level who do not qualify fall through the cracks and their children with them. As far as I know The childrens S-chip bill which dealt with health care was just stop gapped to continue because of disagreements in the house and senate instead of Bush just signing it. The cost of covering our kids pales in comparison with the bail outs we have seen this week and they are the innocent parties they did not swindle anyone.

By g c on 09/19/2008 1:24 pm

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g c, you are most welcome and again you have a very intelligent post. I commend you. I completely agree with the vast majority of what you have said…Well actually, I agree with all of it. What I have tried to convey all along, is that there truly are other alternatives to abortion, but it starts with people having the sense enough to know that what ever reason or excuse they want to deem for justifying it, it is still the murdering of innocent babies. People just don’t value the truth of what it really is…I suppose that I shouldn’t expect better of those who see know harm no foul with it. Again thank you for such an interesting and well written post. :)

By HA BIBI on 09/19/2008 9:03 pm

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Elaine, A bit graphic, but well said. I do not understand how late term abortion cannot be considered murder. I also do not understand how a doctor can perform it without having nightmares every night. And the mother, well…

By Marjorie C. on 09/19/2008 6:32 am

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Yes Marjorie, It is totally graphic but the reality of it is just that and if people really got into their into their souls and saw what is really involved, you would hope for a change of heart. Yet God clearly stated that those with a reprobate mind would have their conciousness seared as with a hot iron, meaning that he would turn them over to a reprobate mind and they would feel nothing for his word and what it says… The hot iron means that when branded with a hot iron, The flesh is scarred and the loss of feeling is gone, just as the mind that has been turned over to a reprobate state….It no longer has feeling. This is why these women as well as these doctors do what they do. Reprobate minds…Now they will tell you a different story, The mother…It is not convient at this time and the doctor will claim to care about the womans state of mind…Not to mention, for a nominal fee.

By HA BIBI on 09/19/2008 12:44 pm

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So you would prefer to die in childbirth? These are only done in life-threatening emergencies no matter what you read on those pro-life websites that tells lies just to get people to believe what they believe. Again, some website should be shut down for posting lies about topics of all kinds.

By Rita T on 09/19/2008 4:41 pm

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Well Rita, It may come as a shock to you, but first of all I would hope never to be in that position and I speak only for myself, no one else. Yes, I suppose that I would. For me, I also believe the word of God, when he says “No greater love hath a man who would lay down his life for his brother” That my dear is not a lie, it is Biblical.

By HA BIBI on 09/23/2008 7:09 pm