Academic

Of Book Challenges and Firings

By Kathy Stanchi

Sorry for all of you who have apparently had enough of blogging about Sarah Palin. But two news stories today made me think about Palin. First, this week is Banned Book Week (see my earlier post). Second, just yesterday an internal Justice Department investigation concluded that political pressure drove the firings of several US Attorneys, but that the investigation was thwarted by the refusal of key White House players in the scandal to testify (US Attorney Nora Dennehy has been appointed to continue the investigation). Banned books and political firings: what does this have to do with Sarah Palin?

Some time ago, ABC news did a report about Sarah Palin's firing of a librarian who publicly disagreed with her about removing certain books from the Wasilla Library.  According to the report, Palin, when she was Mayor of Wasilla, asked the librarian during a council meeting about removing certain books from the library. At the time, Palin was the member of a church that had been vocal in its challenges to the availability of certain books, including (not kidding) Go Ask Alice, a cautionary tale about teenage drug use published in 1971. The librarian responded that she would not remove any books from the library. Shortly after the meeting, Palin fired the librarian.

So, why should we care about a fired librarian? Because this story (and to some extent, Troopergate) make for its own cautionary tale. And, folks, we've been there before.  I worry about having yet more people in the White House who believe it is good decision-making to fire thoughtful and smart people who disagree with them.  Or, who are so unshakeable in their beliefs that they cannot abide different viewpoints. 

So, PUMAs, come on. Is Palin really worth your vote? Ok, you're angry. So, take a kick-boxing class (or ten). Don't buy this sorry (and scary) consolation prize.   

Full post as published by The Faculty Lounge on September 30, 2008 (boomark / email).