Judd Legum: If at first you don't succeed, defund the public library

[Nevilledog]

https://popular.info/p/if-at-first-you-dont-succeed-defund

Across the country, right-wing activists and politicians are pushing to ban hundreds of books from public school libraries. While this is often described as an effort to remove "pornography" from school libraries, Popular Information has repeatedly documented most of the targeted books have LGBTQ characters or are literary works with sexual content. Other books have been banished for accurate historical portrayals of racism, which these activists consider "Critical Race Theory."

The people pushing to remove books from school libraries often argue that they are not pushing book "bans." Rather, they claim to be focused on ensuring schools have age-appropriate materials. And they frequently argue that students and parents can find whatever material they want at the public library.

But these same activists and politicians are now pushing to ban books from public libraries as well, arguing public money should not be used to purchase pornographic or indoctrinating materials.

But banning books from libraries is tricky. Under the Supreme Court's interpretation of the First Amendment, government officials cannot ban or restrict certain books just because they find them offensive, unwholesome, or otherwise objectionable. The exceptions to this rule are limited.

*snip*

[Solly Mack]

1. K&R

[LastDemocratInSC]

2. "public money should not be used to purchase pornographic or indoctrinating materials."

Every public library I've ever visited has a big collection of books, films, etc, intended solely for the indoctrination of children, teens and adults in the Religion section. And we already know the bible has pornographic stories. It's a double-whammy! And it's been happening everywhere for since the first public libraries were established.