Book Banning

I think banning of books shouldn't be taken lightly. There is a great deal of danger in that. Locally, there is a book banning controversy in a school district over a book in an AP English course.

I haven't read the book and am not familiar with it. So, I suppose I can't specifically make any comment. But, generally, I wonder, "Aren't there enough quality books out there that do not have vile language, sexually explicit scenes, etc. that we can't those something less controversial?" Whoa! Did Ron just say that? I guess so, but again I think there are a number of high quality books, ones that teach thinking skills, show the human condition, etc. and don't resort to foul language, the ubiquitous sex, and what not.

"It's high school," some might say. Yep, but that doesn't mean all kids are ready for that kind of material. I'd guess that school district has developmental programs, such as Pre-Kindergarten, Junior Primary, etc. That in itself recognizes that students develop differently, some faster than others. I'd guess a lot of high schoolers aren't ready to read this stuff. They can when they get older.

And, personally, one of the teachers who picked the book didn't do himself any favors in my book by showing up at the board meeting in what looked like a dark undershirt. The guy should invest in a shirt and tie. OK, that's just me. But I don't think teachers should come to work looking like they just changed the oil on their cars, were working in their garden, or are ready for a five-mile jog. If they want to be treated as "professionals," they should dress/look the part. How many of us would let some lawyer represent us/a doctor operate on us if he came to work dressed like he was going to fix the garbage disposal? How many lawyers show up in court in levis and dark undershirts?

Out for a thrilling, I'm sure, lecture on the First World War.