Beware of the enemy within; stand against censorship

Published on Monday, September 29, 2008 9:45 AM MST

Dear Editor:

"You've got to be carefully taught. . .before it's too late. . .to hate all the people (and their idea-attitudes) your relatives hate. . ." (from song in "South Pacific").

Who is "the enemy within" – Libertarians? Conservatives? New Agers? CEOs and other bureaucrats? Atheists? Rednecks or white trash? Rainbow people? Christo-maniacs? Evolutionary fanatics? Pagans? Graham crackers? Witches? Teachers, parents or administrators who lie to cover up the truth? Ignorant, unquestioning children?

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword (figuratively and spiritually; justice; the spiritual sword of truth as love). . .peace on earth? No. . .division. . .father against son, mother-in-law against daughter-in law. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. . .take up the cross. . .Those who love their life for my sake will find it" (in Matthew 10 and Luke 12).

Censorship of school programs by "decider" bureaucrats and the bigots who hold their leash is disrespectful of both teachers and the children in their classes. Censorship, except for purposes of health or safety, is always, at best, a least evil; but what is the greater evil being avoided here? Not the petty, much ado about the "f" word, surely; but rather, the greater evil is to censor "Bless Me, Ultima," a basically religious story, something of a nonmusical, Southwest version of "South Pacific," a story about questioning life, including evil and God, and a story about religious and other bigotries.

Even Jesus used the Hebrew equivalent of the English "f" word (the Hebrew "z" word), though Jesus did not use it desperately, like explorers or the troops in "Saving Private Ryan." It's when nearly down-and-out characters such as those in "Bless Me, Ultima" or "Saving Private Ryan" stop using the "f" word that we know they have totally given up all hope.

The root of the "f" word is probably negative, having to do with piercing and perhaps related to Greek and Latin words having to do with "fist" or fighting: opposing and challenging, for better or worse. Jesus' spiritual sword of truth as love is the only good reason to fight.

The enemy within is us. Stand up for your rights. Read the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence out loud – very loud.

Ronald R. Schmoller

Safford

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Comments

12 comment(s)

Another Viewpoint wrote on Oct 4, 2008 8:09 PM:

" To the parents who exercised their right to keep their high-school-aged child from reading Bless Me, Ultima: carefully scrutinize today's teen fiction, research the reason for a movie's rating, take time to watch the content of a video game. Fail to protect your child from all other negative influences in the teen culture, and your argument against Bless, Me becomes mute. "

concerned wrote on Oct 1, 2008 11:05 AM:

" Then all I can say is may your standards always be in "favor",not on the other end of being "wrong standards"
and please look up the word "ban", Do some research on "parent control on books", you may be surprised.

Also I dont like the idea of "your" values interferring with my values of teaching my children to think for themselves...and before it is stated here, all of my children are grown, responsible and are professionals.
My son just finished 6 year duty in the airforce in Iraq and guess what he read several books. "

Jill R. wrote on Sep 30, 2008 7:09 PM:

" As was mentioned, there is no censorship or book banning going on. What there is, are parents exercising their rights to determine what is or is not suitable for their children. This is a parents basic right and not a right of the state.

This is a community with standards, which may be different from the standards of the community of Venice Beach California. That's diversity for you. "

Well wrote on Sep 30, 2008 6:00 PM:

" The original author of the "Pledge of Allegiance" did not have the words "under God" in it. If ya'll remember that wasn't added until the big RED scare of the 1950s. "

concerned wrote on Sep 30, 2008 3:39 PM:

" I understand a parents choice, instilling values etc...but the point is what happens if your values you hold with high regard, like your head, doesnt agree with someone who is higher than yourself....they could ban something of which you hold dear and near to your heart
Its just a matter of time, think about it. If we allow one book to be passed over, what could be next? Your version of the Bible or mine?
Isnt there an argument even now about losing "One Nation Under God" in the pledge? If cencorship continues, where does it stop? "

Jerry wrote on Sep 30, 2008 12:16 AM:

" I would like to thank concerned for his concern but my head is not buried in the sand but is held high as my kids are now adults and are hard working, honest, contributing members of society. The coffee smells good when you have done your best to instill a value system that allows your kids to be compasionate and caring. I do not have a right to force my value system on anyone else but I do reserve the right to share my values with my family. "

Uuuhhh.. wrote on Sep 29, 2008 10:03 PM:

" I have become so sick over all the "banned" books brouhaha...none of these books have been banned anywhere in this country...communities have exercised the right to apply community standards to certain segmants of society. i.e schools, certain public places etc.
just as a community has a right to use zoning to set boundaries for such things as Strip clubs, gambling dens,Adult bookstores, and bars, it ought to have the right to set boundaries for what it will allow its minor children to have in thier school libraries, city libraries, etc.
This is not banning anything...it is just good sense. "

Jill R. wrote on Sep 29, 2008 7:56 PM:

" Indeed, we should guide and protect our children as much as possible from the predators among us. As for the themes presented in this book, it should be up to the parents to decide what they wish for their children, not up to the state. Just because someone is in a classroom with the title "teacher" may not qualify them to properly guide the ethical and moral development of my child. Schools should stick to the 3r's and leave the values education to the parents. "

concerned wrote on Sep 29, 2008 3:54 PM:

" It must be nice to live with one's head in the sand, blind to the real world around. And when the real world reaches out and slaps one of our own..we shudder and wonder where did that come from.

Let's continue to keep childeren sheltered and "protected" and then later cry when they go out of control...
wake up and smell the coffee ..
censorship is censorship and in itself is a "f" word. "

Jill R. wrote on Sep 29, 2008 3:37 PM:

" Nice intellectual self abuse. Go over to the blog on Safeguarding the Privilege of Turning the Page.

There's a brief synopsis of the book for all to review and decide IF that is the sort of material or story line parents wish for their children (yes, they are still children) to be forced to read and discuss.

Cut and past the link:

www.eacourier.com/articles/2008/09/29/opinion/letters/doc48d9631011d4b691173495.txt

btw, the book wasn't "banned" from anywhere. it was however deemed unsuitable for this community's youth as a required reading project. "

Audrey wrote on Sep 29, 2008 3:26 PM:

" Way to go Jerry, I agree with you 100% "

Jerry Sterr wrote on Sep 29, 2008 11:25 AM:

" Mr. Schmoller,
Although I am sure you are very learned. I frankly don't care about the origin of the "f" word. We all know what it represents in todays world.
I, like you, am against book censorship for adults but children should be guided and protected by strong family and community standards.
Why do you think the movie, "Saving Private Ryan", carries an "R" rating? It is so children are not subjected to the violence and profanity.
You must not intellectualize away parents rights over their childrens minds.
There is room for that at a collegiate
level. "

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