“WE’RE ONLY HURTING OURSELVES …”
By Amy Lazenby || The S.C. House of Representatives is set to vote this week on a budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year that would strip $52,000 in funding from the College of Charleston and $17,162 from the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg. Those amounts are directly tied to the cost of specific reading programs instituted by the two public universities – programs that should not be controversial, but that have become so after one state lawmaker decided to punish the universities for their choice of reading material.
Rep. Garry Smith (R-Greenville) – who sits on the House Ways and Means committee – has raised objections to the books assigned to incoming freshmen. Smith objects to “Fun Home” (for CofC students) and “Out Loud: The Best of Rainbow Radio” (for USC-U students) because they deal with homosexual subject matter. In “Fun Home,” the author discusses coming out as a lesbian, while “Out Loud: The Best of Rainbow Radio” is an account of South Carolina’s first gay and lesbian radio show.
Unfortunately, the majority of Smith’s House colleagues on the Higher Education Subcommittee and the Ways and Means Committee have voted to include the cuts in the budget, which will soon receive a full vote by the House.
One notable objection was raised by former Clemson University professor Rep. B.R. Skelton (R-Pickens), who called out the funding cuts for what they are – blatant censorship. Skelton proposed an amendment to restore funding for the programs, but that proposal was voted down 13-10 in committee.
“I have serious problems with censorship,” Skelton said. “We don’t need to go down that slippery slope of taking retribution for content.”
Smith has made no bones about the fact that removing money for the programs from the upcoming budget is indeed a reprimand.
“One of the things I learned over the years is that if you want to make a point, you have to make it hurt,” he said in proposing the funding cuts. If it accepts the proposed budget that includes these cuts, the House will be admonishing two institutions of higher learning in South Carolina for their choice of literature by taking away the money these schools use to purchase those particular books.
This is a clear example of ideological suppression by state government.
Universities are – supposedly – bastions of free thought, places where young adults are exposed to new and diverse ideas and subject matter. Academic freedom demands that students be able to openly debate topics that, yes, may make them feel uncomfortable. The point of higher education is not merely to confirm the beliefs students bring to campus; it is meant to challenge those beliefs. It is only by objectively examining their assumptions that young people can make informed decisions about whether the conclusions they have reached about certain topics at 17 or 18 years of age are final. We send students to college to learn how to think, not what to think.
When legislators begin allocating resources to public universities based on whether they agree with the subject matter taught in certain courses, we have undermined not only the very definition of higher education, but also our state’s commitment to open scholarship. If South Carolina’s universities are to retain their credibility as institutions of true higher learning, we must not go down that road. If we follow Rep. Garry Smith’s line of thinking, the “point” we will be making is that South Carolina’s schools are nothing but reinforcers of dogma, and the people who will get “hurt” are South Carolinians as we lose our human capital – our best and brightest students – to schools in other states, and as we fail to recruit new young talent to the Palmetto State.
Amy Lazenby is the Associate Opinion Editor for FITSNews. Contact her at amy@fitsnews.com and follow her on Twitter @Mrs_Laz.
85 comments
So what’s in the GA state budget? You know, the one for your state of residence.
Try to stay on point.
I don’t know, that’s a pretty good point. Maybe Will should start covering some UGA issues. Besides, if these schools don’t like any level of state control over their funding, there’s an obvious, simple solution to that conundrum whether it’s Georgia or SC. The burning book pic was a nice touch, too. As if there wasn’t enough whiny hyperbole within the actual piece. This clown has no Earthly idea what government “censorship” looks like.
As usual you miss the point. Even disparate voices like Sic Willie and GT have the right to state their opinions on SC. Non residents do not. They are merely noise in the system.
This reply is a day later, so no one may ever read it. But I disagree about who you think has the right to state opinions here, for two reasons.
First, Fitsnews is not an exclusively SC blog. The banner at the top has categories that include, “US Politics” and “America.”
Second, SC is not an isolated enclave. It is part of the United States of America. What happens in America affects SC, and what happens in SC affects America. Perhaps my sentiment on this was best expressed by Martin Luther King, Jr., in his Letters from a Birmingham Jail, as follows:
“Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.”
Bullshit. She has every right in the world, especially as she and hubby continue to hold property. Plus you have no idea of family connections still here, etc.
Yeah, because God forbid someone from SC who now lives in GA and actually pays attention to politics expresses an opinion. Weak, dude.
Maybe one day we will have a state that suits her so she can move back from exile. Meanwhile she can continue to reside in a state that once had two Governors at the same time and no one would cash GA checks as they did not know which ones were legal.
“…..One of the things I learned over the years is that if you want to make a point, you have to make it hurt…..” Rep. Garry Smith (R-Greenville)
Good point – if I ever get to meet your personally I will stomp on your sorry cockroach ass just to let you know how much I care for you and the rest of the sons of bitches cockroaches down at the State House
Unfortunately, whenever I stomp a cockroach, I swear two more pop up to replace it.
I understand the point, and agree.
But of all the crooked, good for nothing crap that goes on in the state, this is what we are worrying about?
Smith is making a point that won’t hurt us too badly, especially if it does not happen often. But what say you to putting in jail the crooked bastards that steal our tax money?
Agreed. Censorship is a big deal, but it also amuses the masses while the select few insiders steal the public’s money.
Let’s get focused.
That money is actually the most controversial part of the budget being voted on this week. Definitely worth talking about.
http://www.thestate.com/2014/03/09/3316373/morning-buzz-the-24-billion-question.html
“Diverse ideas and subject matter”? I agree. What books are being used to present to opposing opinions. The problem is that I have found colleges are the most difficult places to express diverse opinions. I bet many of the students using these books will find it difficult also. Never-the-less the State House should stay out of it.
I’ve felt uncomfortable,several times,but after I got some KY,it worked like a charm.
No! “if you want to make a point, you have to make it hurt….”
Sorry,you’re correct.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqnesJLfVAo&feature=kp
No! “if you want to make a point, you have to make it hurt…..”
Democratically elected representatives managing the budgets of state run schools.
What’s the problem again?
TBG says, “Let’s put it to a referendum!”
“Universities are – supposedly – bastions of free thought,”
lmao!
Trying having a viewpoint outside of your Left leaning professor while in his/her class and you’ll clearly see that is not the case.
If university’s want more freedom in their instructional methods, they could always refuse taxpayer money and be subject solely to the wants of those students & parents that are paying the bills.
Not that I would hold my breath for any of that.
Gamecock baseball is 15-0,and y’all can’t stop talking about queers?
Now that you mention it. They all wear tight pants.
Sad to see that so many posters are making a mockery of Amy Lazenby’s thoughtful column on a serious subject.
Maybe USC Upstate will use Will Folks book when it comes out.
As a doorstop?
Where can I get a copy?
BRAVO, BRAVO…to these brave legislators who are minding the interests of the most valuable, most caring and stable South Carolinians.
It’s about time our leaders stepped in to defend out state from radical and dangerous liberal propagandists.
It’s not the government’s job to perpetuate liberal, special-interest dogma. We should be defended against it. I hope the Legislature DOES defund these indoctrination missions. Sexual preference is NOT a Civil Right, as these small bands of radicals want to make us believe and support.
All the while, USC is forcing a textbook on students that gratuitously and dishonestly bashes president Ronald Reagan, but USC claims it has no money to teach the US Constitution, as required by law.
Thank God these representatives are stepping forward, and thank you for letting us know what they are doing on our behalf. Again BRAVO!!!
— “Sexual preference is NOT a Civil Right.”
Actually, it is. See, Romer v. Evans and Lawrence v. Texas. The Supreme Court of the United States is delegated the power to say what rights are constitutionally protected civil rights in this country. Not you.
Hope the court has heard of something called the US Constitution…
PS: I think you’re talking about an anal sex case….and no one is trying to stop you from doing that.
From dick sucking to anal sex, you’ve got it all covered don’t you?
The court based its decision on the 14 Amendment of the U.S. Constitution so, yes, they’ve heard of that document.
Does it say you get extra rights based on what you do in the bedroom (or bath house, rest stop or boat landing) as long as you vote democrat???
No, it says you get equal protection of the laws and due process, no matter who you vote for and no matter what your sexual orientation may be. But I suspect you knew that and were just being snarky and annoying.
You can marry who you want. You just want to get government handouts for being homosexual. And Obama, who broke us, wants to oblige.
First, I’m not gay, I’m a straight man married to a woman, my first and only wife of over 30 years. Second, no, people in this country CAN’T marry who they want. The majority of states still have laws preventing that… for now.
You just DEAMND that Gay marriage be sanctioned by the State. Many “churches” will perform a ceremony for gays.
You are caught up in the lies of the left. You believe that you’re some sort of freedom lover..when really you’re being used by hateful people, to push their cause.
Homosexuals, and liberals, are trying to attack the church. If they can have the gov’t force their relationships as gov’t sanctioned, they can destroy a church for not agreeing w/ their lifestyle…
You can deny that if you want..but that’s what they are trying to do…and you mean nothing to them, if you don’t agree…
No church in America can ever be forced to perform any religious ceremony that they don’t want to. 1st Amendment protects the churches. There are churches today that won’t marry an inter-racial couple and the government can’t do a thing about it — as it should be. Freedom of religion. Heck, divorce is universally legal in this country, yet the Catholic Church is free to refuse to marry a divorcee and the government can’t force them.
But there are also churches that would be happy to solemnize a same-sex couple’s marriage, yet you are happy to let the government refuse to recognize those marriages. That’s “attacking the church.”
I just wanted to let you all know, I’ve decided to come out of the closet and admit I’m gay. Yep you all guessed it, I’m queer as a three dollar bill, gay as a rainbow and like Big Black C#$%5 stuffed up my rear. 9″ takes me daily. Just thought y’all should know.
I also voted for Obama and Alvin Green.
FITS might better secure his site, and Disqus better find the security breach…He makes A LOT of money off of me…Not to mention, this site is far less worthwhile if only the left speaks on it…
Liberals, like you have a lot to lose if a voice of the people, like mine, gets out.
You’re one in a LONG line of terrified effeminates scared that I’ll reveal who you are…I’ve seen many tricks from the ignorant and Nazi trying to silence me….
I think we forgot to take our Bi-Polar meds this morning my alter ego friend. Can we go back to the James R. Metts boat landing tonight like last night or off to the Sears Bathroom at Columbiana Center? Please GTpoo
Hahaha! Funny as all fuck! Thanks for havng the courage to come out and stop the self-hate you imposed upon yourself.
About making Fits money…damn right! You’re the best troll of all time.
I’ve been copied (or at least attempted) probably more than anyone in Cyber Forum-dom.
I have 5 or 6 co-opted names that the stealers are still using today. They were too stupid to create the names themselves, so I let the weak minds have them, and I moved on…It’s the Content you can never equal..
And: It’s fear and respect that make you all try so hard to damage me. It really says a lot about who you are and how petty you are…..and your own lack of ability to think for yourselves…
The king of trolls, being trolled. The emperor has no clothes!
You think somebody appropriating your FAKE NAME is a “security breach?” Totally delusional and narcissistic.
Probably not a breach: FITS is just too cheap to use a quality system to prevent desperate imposters, who so want to be relevant. And after all the money I put in FITS’ pocket.
W/O me, he’d only have ignorant, non-interesting @$$ kissers like you…Ditto-ing everythig he posts…
Liar.I found a new,BF,with money,after I wore you DOWN.You’d gotten as wide as,The Grand Canyon,and I couldn’t feel a thing.
Is there such a thing as an anal tuck, like a tummy tuck or something along those lines?
“Fun Home” sounds like a good read. I can probably relate to it because of my own difficulty in coming out as a lesbian. Now that I am “out” , I feel no shame in munching carpet on the rare occasions such opportunity presents itself.
“Academic freedom demands that students be able to openly debate topics that, yes, may make them feel uncomfortable. ”
These were Freshman reading assignments. One way to address this is to require the schools to publish the required reading list in advance so that prospective students and their families can decide if they want to apply to and attend that school. Let prospective customers decide if they want to by what that market place of ideas is selling.
Regarding “academic freedom” would Ms. Lazenby also support:
1. Requiring student students read, write, and recite poetry that repeatedly use the N-word, and sending their assignments to the NAACP and black church ministers for judging?
2. Instead of reading a cartoon book depicting an alternative life style, requiring students to read gay porn showing photographs of full frontal nudity and sex acts?
3. Requiring students to research and write a paper describing how they would plan and execute their suicide, and assist other in committing suicide, including interviewing people who have attempted suicide?
Does Ms. Lazenby believe that a line should be drawn that separates making people feel “uncomfortable” from making them feel “offended”?
Dude, awesome post. I’d give you +10 if I could.
Some ‘liberal’ people actually think it’s “right” to force people to be uncomfortable now a days or force them to endure exposure to something they view as abhorrent in the name of “culture” or “education”. It’s total horseshit.
I could make the same claims for a Tijuana donkey show put on stage at Clemson at taxpayer cost using their reasoning.
College freshmen should not be reading comic books for academic credit–period. Students are paying for an education, not an EST encounter group. This awful trend–politically liberal biased graphic novels and Thomas Friedman level garbage–is a disgrace no matter what the topic. The bar couldn’t be set any lower. There is no place as conformist and totalitarian as the university campus. Where is the emphasis on academics?
Fun Home is not a comic book, it is a graphic memoir. Research the difference. Fun home is 240 pages and spent 2 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list reaching number 30. Name one comic book with that.
The memoir deals with family trauma, neglect, suicide and more. It is not an easy story and there is no doubt that it contains a vast store of topics that a college freshman will be challenged to deal with. It is entirely appropriate as a work of modern literature.
There’s nothing wrong with the classics, but higher education is about much more than reading Homer and Melville.
Let me know when Little Johnnie lands a job due to reading this “graphic memoir” about carpet munching in anything outside of a government subsidized industry.
I couldn’t have taken him to a video story some B lesbo porn and given him the same lesson for $2.00 in one night over popcorn.
edit: “for some B lesbo porn”
As I said, the book isn’t about “carpet munching” or any other juvenile characterization you want to use. It deals with family trauma, neglect, suicide, death, and more.You know, the same way that all good literature deals with knotty topics.
But if you are incapable of pulling your head out of the gutter where you dwell on sex and porn, then I question the value of whatever college education you may have gotten.
“As I said, the book isn’t about “carpet munching””
Bullshit! I call bullshit! Are you going to make me go back and link to said carpet munching or are you going to admit it like a man or whatever you are?
Yes, go back and provide what ever link you want.
BTW, I am one man married to one woman, my first and only wife of over 30 years. I am the very definition of a straight traditional marriage. And, I believe deeply in the freedoms of this country, the greatest country on the planet, the United States of America, and I am passionate that ALL American citizens should be able to live in freedom and liberty whether they be Black, White, Jewish, Evangelical, Atheist, Italian, Irish — whatever — including whether they be lesbian or gay.
“Yes, go back and provide what ever link you want.”
http://hellyeahfeminism.tumblr.com/post/10102761816/tommilsom-stockade-what-kind-of-comic-is
There you go! You want to retract your “carpet munching” statement now? Or make some other bullshit excuse?
” I believe deeply in the freedoms of this country”
Yea, well so do I, big whoop. It’s taxpayer money. If someone wants to read a graphic novel containing porn with their own money they are able to any time they want.
It’s a 240 page book. You focus on 1 page depicting a sexual act. That does not render the entire book “about” carpet munching. Sorry, but you are simply wrong to characterize the entire work as “about carpet munching.” I retract nothing.
BTW — if depicting a sex act renders a book unfit for academic use then there are countless classic and modern works you would have removed from curricula, no doubt. From Albee to Shakespeare to Vonnegut. Seems closed minded to me.
“From Albee to Shakespeare to Vonnegut. Seems closed minded to me.”
Well shit man, let’s hire pornographers to film their descriptions and put it on screen!
LMAO at your comparison of Vonnegut to the comic book “Fun Home”! Really dude? You really want to make your “literary” stand on “Fun Home”?
Whatever, bottom line is it’s funded by the taxpayers and if the university doesn’t like being told by taxpayer reps what they can are can’t do with taxpayer money they can go private.
“Sorry, but you are simply wrong to characterize the entire work as “about carpet munching.””
Let me tell you something bro that would be obvious the average Joe- The entire book is about “carpet munching” because that what choosing to be a lesbian is about! If it was about “close relationships” or any other bullshit as you are suggesting then Fun Home could have had some dick sucking in it too!
But you and I both know that’s not what it’s about.
Just because a significant number of taxpayers are repulsed by such a thing, let’s call it “breeder instincts”(HT to Euwe) and it happens to offend your “tolerant” leanings doesn’t mean you get to step all over them by taking their money and then force feeding their kids bullshit you think is worthy. As I side before, get over it.
It’s not “book banning”, burning, or any other horseshit you come up with. If you think it’s so important, go spend your own hard earned money and donate the comics to the college yourself.
edits: “side” to “said”, probably a coupe other errors I missed too, but you get the point
I didn’t compare Fun Home to Vonnegut. I said that if you think depicting a sex act renders a book unfit for academic use then there are many works you would have removed from
curricula on that basis and I named Albee, Shakespeare and Vonnegut as 3 authors that depict sex acts in their works, each in his own way according to the literary norms of their times.
I’m serious: which books do you think the legislature should defund? Do you really think that the multi-billion dollar South Carolina budget if the place for micro-managing the curricula of its institutions of higher education and research? You are aware that evolution is constantly under attack, so defunding science biology texts that teach it is not far fetched. Maybe you think there should be no state schools at all?
— “because that what choosing to be a lesbian is about!”
And there it is. Being gay or lesbian is a “choice” like picking a brand of toothpaste. No wonder this topic fires you up. You think all people who are gay or lesbian deserve scorn because, after all, they could choose not to be. Relic.
I don’t even care if they don’t “choose”, you’ve just mischaracterized me.(though I understand in all sincerity why, my statement doesn’t come across well)
Even if they’ve been genetically predisposed, I don’t give a shit!
This issue is one of taking money from one group of people against their collective will to fund the desires of another/minority group of people.
It’s simply wrong. Whether you like it or not, whether you think being a lesbo is a choice or not(and I’d wager there are some that choose and some that don’t!), it all doesn’t matter.
If people don’t want to pony up for it, that should be their damned right!
My basic premise has less to do with “Fun Home” per se than that I think this micro-managing of collegiate curricular materials by the legislature (something they usually do not do) sets a terrible precedent. How much do you want to bet that if the residents of South Carolina
could vote on whether to defund any teaching of evolution, they would do
it in a heartbeat. In my opinion, that doesn’t make it right.
” In my opinion, that doesn’t make it right.”
I would agree with you, but that is the system we have.
Gays, Lesbians, and the rest of the oppressed minority do no one favors by claiming sole victimhood as we are all victims of the system.
It’s a circular argument. “I’m a victim because I didn’t get money for my Lesbo comic book.”
No bro, we are all victims because they take our money and decide what to do with it for less than noble reasons much of the time.
Pols fund their pet projects mostly because:
#1 It enriches them somehow
#2 It gets them re-elected(tyranny of the majority), then see #1 again
Gays & Lesbo’s, if they really want equality, shouldn’t be running to government to force their views or literature on anyone because it obviously builds resentment.
I have another news flash: No matter how badly gays & lesbos want to be accepted en masse on the basis of their sexual proclivity, they won’t.
That’s the hand they were dealt. Forcing people that find their activities abhorrent to “dive deep” into it is immoral.
Instead, gays & lesbos should be rallying against theft and any interactions that are against voluntary society and freedom of association. They should be for freedom, for better or worse. Imposing the details of their sex lives on the general public is an attempt to “micro manage” as you put it on society in general.
SC society is not up for it at this time. Better not to use the force of government on such a group lest they turn around and do the same back…much more effectively because they are the MAJORITY.
Despite all this, don’t take people’s money for your own shit is a good place to start for all sides.
Just for the record, Fun Home was a best seller before it ever was incorporated into college classes. It has never needed tax dollars in order to be successful. It became incorporated into college classes BECAUSE of its success, not the other way around. But I don’t want to dwell on that one book.
I agree tax moneys are allocated to all sorts of ridiculous things for all sorts of ridiculous reasons, most of those reasons boiling down to “because it will help me get re-elected.” Actually, I think we probably agree on more things than our dialogue might reveal.
But again I’ll repeat my central concern: micro-management of college curricula by the legislature. SC has a Commission on Higher Education tasked with curricular matters, not to mention each institution has its President and administrative personnel. All this falls under the executive branch typically (I don’t know SC’s legal quirks), and is typically accountable to both the governor and legislature. This dedicated body is intentionally insulated from day-to-day meddling by the legislature. Members of the body are appointed to it by the governor with consent of the legislature. There’s checks and balances built into that.
It’s a bad precedent for the legislature to do what they did in this case no matter what your opinion is of this book or sexual minorities.
—“you’ve just mischaracterized me.(though I understand in all sincerity why, my statement doesn’t come across well)”
Ok. Fair enough. I take that back.
— “Do you not like democracy/republicanism? Do you not like SC society?”
Now you’re mischaracterizing me. But I can see how you’d go there, so I’ll let it pass. For the record, I not only support our democratically-elected representative republican form of government, I am an active participant having held local office in my community and having helped on several statewide campaigns. Also, I’ve never been to South Carolina (other than passing through from the Northeast to Florida) so I honestly have no basis to have opinion on the societal culture. I’m sure it’s a nice place.
— “edits: … other errors I missed too, but you get the point”
Don’t sweat the typos. I enjoy the dialogue although I do get annoyed at pointless vitriol like “GrandTango” seems predisposed to use.
Finally, it just struck me that we’re having a conversation in which you are voicing your disdain for something you consider pornography, but your avatar name is “2 girls, 1 cup?” What the heck?
“it just struck me that we’re having a conversation in which you are voicing your disdain for something you consider pornography, but your avatar name is “2 girls, 1 cup?” What the heck?”
Nope, my disdain is for a system under which people have no options. I disdain that some people are forced to pay for things they abhor. I like porn. I like Lesbo’s doing porn, I don’t like watching gay men screw each other.
None of that matters in the big picture when you are talking about taking money from people who might view “Fun Home” as porn or reprehensible. I abhor forcing people to do stuff they don’t want to do.
I would never consider asking anyone to fund my porn enjoyment, especially under the auspices of “education”. That’s my point about Little Johnny landing a job.
Supposedly “democracy” is the fairest way to force one group of people to do stuff another doesn’t like, that’s what most people think…so I only assumed you were like most people. If I assumed incorrectly, feel free to correct me.
— “I disdain that some people are forced to pay for things they abhor.”
People are forced to pay for things they don’t want to all the time. There are earnest people who abhor war, but their taxes pay for it. People are forced to pay for road pavement, gps satellites, meat inspections and the National Weather Service. And, I keep coming back to this, people abhor their taxes going to pay for the teaching of evolution.
Sure, a democratically-elected government is the best. To quote Winston Churchill: “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”
Anyone who decides to go to college is voluntarily signing up to be told to do things they don’t want to do, like read books not to their liking if they want credit for that Modern Literature English Survey class.
As for public schools, you and I have a fundamental difference of opinion on that. I believe in private schools, of course. Who doesn’t? But I also believe that investment in public education of the next generation is one of the best possible investments we can make to guarantee a prosperous future for our country.
” Maybe you think there should be no state schools at all?”
I think that’d be a good start.
“I’m serious: which books do you think the legislature should defund?”
You don’t get it dude. We live in a hybrid democracy with some elements of a republic.
This is how it’s supposed to work. Those things that most of the public don’t want to pay for, usually end up that way. You are complaining about the make up of SC society or democracy/republicanism.
Do you not like democracy/republicanism? Do you not like SC society?
If your answer is yet to either of the above, then in order:
#1 Move to someplace without democracy
#2 Move to NY, or California where a comic book like this probably would get funded by taxpayer dollars.
Of course, there’s option #3- that would be have the comic book survive without taxpayers dollars.
I think that would be best, but I’ve a feeling you and many others think it won’t survive on it’s own merits. (Unlike Albee, Shakespeare, & Vonnegut)
The entire legislature should be required to read Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451.
Forcing South Carolinians to read specific books sounds like you’re a Nazi.
It was a joke because as I’m sure you must know Fahrenheit 451 is about, among other things, banning books.
By the way, calling me a Nazi… I invoke Godwin’s law. You lose.
They aren’t banning books champ, they are just deciding they aren’t funding the purchase of a graphic novel that has questionable merit to a significant number of taxpaying citizens in the state.
If someone wants to go out and buy it on their own, they can.
When a government body removes funding from a government school specifically for the purpose of removing from a curriculum a particular book (or punishing the institution for the purchase of the book) then that is a form of government censorship no matter the fact that the book is otherwise available. Champ.
What’s next, removing funding for purchase of the Bhagavad Gita used in a Comparative Religions class? Removing funding for purchase of biology science texts because they teach principles of evolution?
Oh bullshit, you are full of it. Go spend your own money on that shit, don’t make other people subsidize what they think is trash.
The comic book hasn’t been “outlawed”, banned, burned or anything else. Get over it.
People though Hucklberry Finn was trash.
People thought Whitman’s Leaves of Grass was trash.
The list goes on and on.
When legislators “punish” a college for its choice of literature I call that an act of profound stupidity — no matter which taxpayers are “offended.” Are they going to review all of the assigned books for all classes? Are they going to pull funding for every book that they get any complaints about?
“Are they going to pull funding for every book that they get any complaints about?”
They might! That’s the beauty of democracy my friend, you don’t like it? When enough people call their reps saying “screw that!”, sometimes their reps listen when it’s no skin of their nose.
Why is it this book has to have taxpayer money? Are you afraid the free market wouldn’t support it?
How many private colleges that get no taxpayer money are using it? (I’ll bet ZERO!)
So if people have an opinion different from yours. you think the government has the RIGHT to force your opinion on them….
Again: If you’re pushing homosexual propaganda to college kids, using state funds, the legislature has the OBLIGATION to slap the $#!* out of your Stupid @$$ and MAKE you stop.,…
Pay for Gay indoctrination out of YOUR pocket…
I Thank MY legislature for defending morality…and would fire them if the DO NOT…
Move to some Gay bastion if you don’t like it..
Don’t worry, GT. Your anti-gay propaganda that you push has its days numbered. In case you haven’t noticed, in court case after court case you’re losing. And, I’m a patriotic American citizen — I don’t have to move anywhere.
People made exactly the same arguments you are now making about letting Black people vote or eliminating segregation or banning mixed-race marriages. That argument lost at the Supreme Court in 1967. That argument will lose again.
So relax. The “gay bastion” you fear so much is coming to your state.
You complain about government control when it doesn’t suit you, but when it does, you champion it.
REQUIRING these Kids to READ this book is GOVERNMENT CONTROL, you Simple-minded @$$Hole…
Government is telling the School to STOP indoctrinating students. I’m consistent w/ that…you ignorant F*#king Leftwing Robot…
You have that backwards. But no need to go further–you’re obviously an ineducable loon from your previous posts.