Yahoo! Citizens stand up for 1st amendment in Columbus Ohio

[kitkat65]

"Speakers give library trustees an earful" is the headline from the local community paper.

In a nutshell:

A small group of residents, including a city councilman, in Upper Arlington, Ohio wanted to get rid of gay publications in the libraries calling it "smut."

42 people showed up at the Library Board of Trustees Committee meeting to speak in support of keeping the papers, citing the need for diversity and the first amendment. I think the fact that residents took the time to make their voice known is a great sign. According to one board member, "We never have anybody attend our meetings."

No decisions have been made regarding whether to cease offering the gay publications, though it seems they understand that if you remove one, you need to remove them all gay or not (that's my take, anyway).

Obviously, this isn't a partisan issue, however I'd like to point out that Upper Arlington is an upper middle class Republican area of town (thought a lot of them voted for Kerry). The only reason I mention it is to point out that Republican or Democrat, we citizens are certain to agree an many fundamental issue in spite of the raving pundits in the media.

[LittleWoman]

1. Just to clarify

the publications in question are with a large number of free papers on a number of topics placed in the entry lobby of the library and they are available to anyone who wants one. They are not purchased by the library as part of the collection. One individual took it upon himself to go with his children and remove the papers in question and throw them in the trash. The publisher of that paper is speaking with his attorneys about any possible legal action. I didn't go to the meeting because I do not need to further elevate my blood pressure. My take on the city councilman is that he somehow thinks this issue will propell him to bigger and better things--my hope is that he will crash and burn.

[kitkat65]

2. Sheesh!

"One individual took it upon himself to go with his children and remove the papers in question and throw them in the trash. "

Gee, great way to introduce your kids to intolerance while introducing them to what they (the parents) think is so bad in the first place. Kinda messed up, huh?

"See these, little Junior? Take a good look. I don't ever want to see you looking at these!"

What's a kid to do?

:shrug: