A public library in small town Iowa was forced to close its doors after members of the community continually harassed its staff over their decision to stock books with LGBTQ themes.
Now the town of Vinton, Iowa is without a public library, as the city struggles to fill critical positions and reopen library doors – all while residents continue to hound library administrators about a perceived “liberal bias” in book availability.
Biblio Agenda
The trouble started last year when some library goers complained about a handful of books on display, including works written by Vice President Kamala Harris and a children’s book called ‘Joey’ about President Biden, penned by his wife, First Lady Jill Biden.
While there is a way for patrons to formally complain about the library’s book selection and possibly initiate a review and removal of the books in question, renegade library users instead checked out the books in question and never returned them.
Critics also complained that the library didn't have enough books about former President Trump. But former library director Janette McMahon says that there just aren’t “quality books about Trump,” and that she “can’t buy what doesn’t exist.”
The Harassment Begins
Things truly boiled over at a March library board meeting, when a Vinton resident accused the library of having a “liberal agenda” for having books in the library with LGBTQ themes. Members of the community also weren't pleased to learn that the library had some LGBTQ employees.
Another resident argued that things ought to be perfectly fair and balanced, suggesting that “for each book promoting the LGBTQ lifestyle, there should be a book on display that discusses how God created and designed people as either male or female from birth, for life.”
But according to Reenee Greenlee, who became library director in November 2021, books with Christian themes outnumber books with LGBTQ themes by a wide margin. Pointing to the children’s section, she noted that the library has seven books with LGBTQ themes and 173 with Christian themes.
That, apparently, did not matter. Local residents began harassing library staff, many of whom are LGBTQ, which prompted Greenlee to resign in protest after only six months on the job.
After interim directors and most of the staff left over continued community unrest, the library shut its doors while the library board figures out how to move forward.
Vinton Public Library Board Chair Jimmy Kelly says he and other board members are going to volunteer their time so that the library can reopen in a very limited capacity. But, he says, "it's not a resolved issue… It very much feels like it's still there on the surface."
Think of the Children!
Public and school libraries across the country have suddenly become battlegrounds in the culture wars, as many parents are paying more attention to what their children are being taught outside the home.
These debates have been getting more heated, as extreme measures like book bans have shown to be increasingly popular. One school board even recommended burning children’s books with gay themes, arguing that only parents have the ultimate right on when to disclose the existence of homosexuality to children.
Meanwhile, supporters of free thought and expression worry things are spiraling out of control. They ask: since when did we become a society that wants to ban (and burn!) books we don't like? If we lose our public libraries, advocates wonder, what happens next?
What is your reaction?
99 comments
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Matthew Mastrogiovanni
Censorship. The hallmark of conservatives.
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Stephanie A Willey
I don't believe censorship is the hallmark of Conservatives, at least not real conservatives. Censorship is most certainly the hallmark of Fascists, Nazi's, and authoritarian regime's.
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Paul Edward Nunis
Attacking centers of learning has been in the playbook of, as you say, authoritarianism forever.
Chairman Mao had students beat teachers, Boko Haram kidnaps them, now the US fundies are playing the 'books are heresy' card again.
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Rev Mark D
Golly, Matthew, why you're just..."tolerant." Invasion with proselytizing enclaves with political and developmental agendas... The "hallmark" of, oh my goodness, please don't shoot me if I mention it, gay radicals. Every bit as hostile as they accuse others of being, with character assassination as a moral superiority ad hominem weapon... No how would a conservative religious proselytizing group he dealt with if they set up shop in, say, Fire Island?
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Joe Stutler
Try it and see. 😉
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Ilmenheru Terikson
There is no organization called gay radical recognized in the U.S. and on the domestic terror watch list. Unlike those who spread homophobic remarks which is a hate crime, and in the U.S. during the commission of any crime any citizen can invoke stand my ground laws against such criminals in active commission of a crime.nownhad you said radical white nationalist that would be fine as it's just stating facts.
But we get it, you are unfit to take part in reasoned debate.
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Rev Mark D
"Reasoned debate?"
Golly Terikson, you've spoken like a true intolerant caught, who likes to make ad hominem (translate: I have no reasoned intelligent case and I know it, so I will announce my concession thus: I will pivot (like a cheap politician) to insult you personally, hoping that most people won't notice how obviously I have just conceded without the honor to admit it, because I am sneaky that way), because if I had had a real argument I would have denonstrated so by using it, but I'm too arrogant to admit it.
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SueW
Aren’t these the same people who complain about “censorship” (aka refusing to publish crazy 💩) on the internet?
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Charles Jude Platt
It's confirmed, Jesus of Nazareth and all of his teachings have left this country. What's next executing gays et al? Welcome to Naziland.
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SueW
I’m sure they all believe they are “good Christians.” There’s no hate like Christian “love.”
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Keith Allen Steele Eash
Since I grew up in that central area of Vinton, Iowa I know the farming communities are strongly conservative. Why is it every time a group like LGTBQ+ moves in they start promoting their lifestyle and gender . This is exactly what they are doing. They dominate the jobs and become the majority of employees and they start promoting their lifestyle through the choice of books. I'm glad they closed the library and are slowly opening again. I'm happy the community forced the LGHTQ+ director out. Why should the parents have to examine their priorities? Why do the conservative community have to bow to these libtard groups. We're sick of it.
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SueW
Your premise is untenable, but the bigotry in your home town is on full display, and it’s ugly.
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Robert Edward Szekely
Keith,Keith Allen Steele Eash, your homophobia is showing. BTW, It's LGBTQI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex...). Along with them and us ordinary cishetero folk, we're all God's creatures. In case you doubt me, you might want to look into this thing called SCIENCE....queer folk aren't a philosophy or a movement, they just live and love a little different from you and me. They just want to live and let live, and not have to hide who they are. They're not promoting anything...all they want is to be free from persecution, fear and hatred--to be treated as equals. They're trying to educate the rest of us as to how they differ from us, and how that difference poses no threat, so that we cisgender heterosexual can learn to leave in peace and harmony with LGBTQI+ persons, to where it doesn't even become a matter of notice. I suspect that's probably what Jesus would preach and do if he walked the Earth among us today. And please don't quote Leviticus - that only addressed men who were Levite priests, so that they could maintain ritual purity: a very small, specialized group. To violate that edict would disqualify a member of a hereditary line of Jewish priests to continue to serve in that capacity--that was the abomination! I fail to understand why people consistently pull that quote completely out of context.
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Timothy Newell
Another resident argued that things ought to be perfectly fair and balanced, suggesting that “for each book promoting the LGBTQ lifestyle, there should be a book on display that discusses how God created and designed people as either male or female from birth, for life.” That about sums it up for me. I'm glad there's a sense of a spiritual awakening occurring in a small town in Iowa, why the Field of Dreams is in Iowa!
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T Kosse`
Yeah, but in fact it wasn't "perfectly fair and balanced" according to Reenee Greenlee, who became library director in November 2021, books with Christian themes outnumber books with LGBTQ themes by a wide margin. Pointing to the children’s section, she noted that the library has seven books with LGBTQ themes and 173 with Christian themes. They're not interested in "perfectly fair and balanced" They want everyone to live by THEIR believes, THEIR lifestyle through the choice of books. So Yes that makes it a Christian Theocracy, Fascists, Nazi's, and authoritarian regime's.
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Joshua Vanhorn
Nobody "moved in." They were already there, you've simply chosen to shelter yourself from the facts. 3-5 percent of the population identifies as LGBT in one form or another. That means, if there's a mere 100 people in your town, 3-5 of them are LGBT. Maybe they just didn't tell you because you're a bigot?
This feels a lot like conservatives complaining immigrants are taking their jobs... but did you want it in the first place?
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Daniel Gray
Sorry but you are wrong. According to the last census, less then 1% have identified themselves as LGBT or one form or another. maybe you should check your facts before posting?
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Lori-Ann Neeb
splitting hairs. Do you identify yourself as neo-nazis bigot in the census? I doubt it. They probably just knew better than to label themselves to become an open target for your type.
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Daniel Gray
nice attempt for you to use the "so when did you stop beating your wife" argument. All that does is blow back in your own face and destroy you, not the person you were tossing it at. The last census clearly had the lgbtq box available to check. And less then 1% of the census replies (and remember its a federal felony for you not to reply) stated this or that was their inclination/status. So unless you are willing to prove or claim that people lied on the census, which again is a federal felony, you have just proved yourself wrong on so many different things and I guess you were to inpatient to re read your own reply to see you were destroying yourself. So tell me child, how can you claim that 10% or more are lbgtq if you dont have an accurate record of how many claim that status? Now lets see how you twist your brain to come up with an answer for this.
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Robert Edward Szekely
I wonder if they tried to burn Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" just so nobody could tell that they were planning next to enact it in reality?
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Joe Stutler
Sadly, we have far too many evil bigots in Iowa. That they justify their hate by blaming Bronze Age mythological critters is tragically hilarious! I look forward to the coming purge..... 😉
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Robert Edward Szekely
What is truly sad is that we have to many evil bigots hiding behind Jesus and calling themselves Christians, either not knowing the Bible, or pulling quotes out of context either intentionally or out of ignorance to rationalize their bigotry. Jesus didn't promote bigotry, prejudice or inequality, but rather their antitheses.
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Rev Mark D
Sorry what purge do you mean? And what did you mean by winking?
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Rev. MichaelRS
I would have more sympathy here related to the "free society" and "Free Speech" arguments if I had not seen a disproportionate number of examples of leftist activist trying to shut down conservative speech over the last two years....and succeeding in a number of cases through acts of violence.
As far as I'm concerned if the ACLU is not stepping in on behalf of conservative speakers invited to speak at college campuses...they can just keep their mouth shut about things like this.
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Paul Edward Nunis
The ACLU continues a long tradition of defending (and winning) hundreds of cases for Christian and conservative clients. There's a list easily found on their website, among other places.
So much for that whole 'not bearing false witness' commandment thing, hmmmm?
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Rev. MichaelRS
Comment removed by user.
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Rev. MichaelRS
@P.E.N. - I made a specific point there that had nothing to do with Christians.
In fact, while I was thinking of *conservative speakers in general at colleges and universities, the particular one I was thinking of as I wrote that is a Jew (but assuming you are not clairvoyant, I'll give you that one).
*And yes, certain of those speakers may indeed be christians, but but it was their secular message I was thinking out of without religious overtones.
So if you can explain to me who I'm bearing false witness against, I'd appreciate it.
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Paul Edward Nunis
Your exact words are right there, and your evasive tap dance is noted and dismissed.
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Daniel Gray
dismissed only because you cant prove him wrong
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Wilberta M. Berry
What happened to the mantra that God loves everyone? What a vacant world this would be if God was as judgmental as this town. Only God judges, it is not their right to supercede God. I am sure there are issues in each and every one of these bigots lives that would be questioned by others. No one on planet Earth is perfect.
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flugo
'will b buried': 'Only God judges,] WRONG! Before you start speaking on behalf of God, you ought to know what He says! In John 7:42 we're told how to judge. Luke 17:13 finds us rebuking, which necessitates judgment.. I Corinthians says the spiritual man is to judge.
If the drinking water of you family is being contaminated, you'd denounce the perpetrator. Media resources available to our youth (and adults) are being polluted, adulterated by the touting of an abhorrent, abnormal, and abominable lifestyle.
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T Kosse`
'Only God judges,] WRONG! Before you start speaking on behalf of God, you ought to know what He says! You're right about that flugo because clearly you haven't got a clue and you definitely are WRONG about who is the judge and who isn't. Luke 17:13 is about showing mercy toward those with leprosy, people who are outcast, it about showing mercy towards your fellow man. John 7:442 is about Christ coming from the seed of King David and God forgiveness for those who have sin. Only Good has the right to judge NOT YOU flugo which you clearly have done MANY MANY TIMES. You have NOT shown mercy toward your fellow men by condemning and shunning gays as outcast. by doing so YOU have sin in the eyes of God flugo.
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Lionheart
Well, judging by your gods poor morals he’s pathetically judgmental and doesn’t love everyone. I’m basing this judgment on his genocidal, and infanticidal past behaviour. Not to even mention his condoning behaviour of slavery. Fortunately, we don’t have and demonstrable evidence the god of the Old Testament, or any god for that matter, is real.
🦁❤️
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Pamela Kay Waters
This town is 10 miles from me. People need to shut up and go with the times. If they aren't bothering you then what's the problem? It's not like they will somehow turn you or your kids and family members gay.
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Paul Edward Nunis
Becuase 'they' will turn kids into hateful violent idiots who might take it into their minds to kill me...
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Lori-Ann Neeb
You are very wrong. If anyone there ever turns into a serial killer or something it will not be because of their sexual preferences. That would be beside the point. The fact is they would have had other issues or mental conditions going on and would have had them no matter what lifestyle they chose to live.
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Chris
Once more the party of "Less Government" is forcing itself onto everyone. "We get to decide what you read. We get to decide what you watch. We say you cannot dance. We say you cannot listen to that type of music. Why can't we all just get along? You're persecuting us by not letting us force our way of life onto you!"
It's a shame these closed minded bigots are forcing the closing of a public library because it's trying to represent other people and not just that one "religion." But as they're so quick to point out, God will judge them for their actions. They'll find out on that day they aren't going to the promised land. At least not the one they think they are going to.
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Michael Hinkle
Closing a public library is not the answer. If the community do not approve books that are not appropiate for children should not be displayed in frint of children.
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Asa William Sprague, II
I can just imagine those book protesters proudly proclaiming "We did that!" while giving each other high-fives as they drive by the "Closed" sign,
Conservative cancel culture at it's finest.
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Rev Mark D
Seems like when a group or the single interest moves in and creates an enclave with a political mission to convert and especially do so by targeting children, it's the same as proselytizing. So they get what they deserve. These are the same methods used by the red guard, current Chinese communist etc., which is to target the children and make a political battle. It's not about the lifestyle, it's about the targeted conversion campaign aimed at indoctrinating children. That's different.
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T Kosse`
When a group or the single interest moves in and creates an enclave with a political mission to convert and especially do so by targeting children.
Now let see there the Church of the Latter days saints, Jehovah Witnesses, Born Again Christian going around door to door uninvited to people home knocking on their door and proselytizing to anyone who open their doors, and walking round pushing their flyers and their believes onto people, leaving their flyers on people doors, in stores, libraries restaurants and any other public place. But you know what I haven't seen yet is a group of LGBTQI+ going around doing any of that.
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Ilmenheru Terikson
Trust me logic is wasted on the alt Reich. They can't even grasp their side are actual groomers as that is literally from where the term comes. Grooming girls to be brides to their husband the new groom. Keep in mind it was very much older man marrying little girls to raise them up as ideal sex slave and house slave in one. Kind of like judge hand maid, or crazy Jewish lazer space lady.
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Paul Edward Nunis
The Red Guard burned books and shut down schools with violence.
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Rev Frankie PG
Hallmark of Conservatives? You definitely got dealt the wrong cards. Let's see, liberal universities blocking conservative speakers, liberal theaters blocking speakers and comedians, liberal groups ejecting people that try to engage in positive dialog. The last one of which I was an eject of.
The claimed tolerant left is so many things but tolerant. Conservatives welcome free speech as long as it is not disruptive. There is a time and place for people to speak and demonstrate their piece. Whenever local demonstration permits are issued, the plans have to show a "safe space" for the protestors as well.
When Jesus was here on earth he allowed all people to speak, whether it conformed to His ideals or not, most liberal groups don't allow the opportunity.
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Ilmenheru Terikson
Lol you are confusing conservative agrees with Nazi. I get it though you Nazi like to think all conservatives are on your side. But even Fox is throwing Dumpty Drumpf under the wheels now that it has cut into their bottom line.
Until you can speak honestly you don't deserve to be platformed. And you are a well known mouth piece for the big lie around these parts.
Free speech does not exist between you and I.
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Lori-Ann Neeb
You are very wrong. If anyone there ever turns into a serial killer or something it will not be because of their sexual preferences. That would be beside the point. The fact is they would have had other issues or mental conditions going on and would have had them no matter what lifestyle they chose to live.
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Lori-Ann Neeb
I think you are confused. If anything is blocked it is most likely because a lot of radical conservatives cross lines of violence. Hate crimes are prosecuted because they result in the harm of others. If you wanted to sit around a table for a peaceful debate, that would be fine. But when you bring guns or bombs you cross the line that has nothing to do with religious beliefs.
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John P Maher
THIS GOVT. LIKE ALL the GOVTs. TALKs and TALKs BUTT DOES NIL !
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Elga Konietzny
everything is so perverted in today's time,,, nobody realize that all this is AI mind control,, God's original TEMPLATE is neurons and protons one is missing ,, nothing works God, Source call it what you will is male and female as we all are our energy needs to be in balance between the 2,,, it is sickening what is going on and nobody has a clear head anymore ,,, the dark ones destroying the female energy Mother God because she is the creator,,, people need to take their head out of the sand and CLEAR their minds dont you all see that its grooming the children to the wishes of PEDOPHILES??? satanic rituals??? there is no church anymore,, perhaps there never was,,, millions upon millions of children have been found in the dumbs and i am not going into this ,, satanic rituals etc,, Lucifer Satan and his minions walking the street and what are we doing ??? debating,, debating adding more energy to feed the beast,, i am not interested in debating ,, and by focussing on those sick perverted issues adding more energy,,, actions is needed,, i am Gods warrior ,, i serve the ONE,,, there is no place for anyone else therefor my mind cannot be controlled,, game over,,,,,, Buddha teaches the path of clear mind Jesus teaches the path of the heart when i visit with God i meet where the Heart and Mind of God meet,, that is when I AM home
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T Kosse`
You're the one that need to take their head out of the sand and CLEAR their minds. You're the one that perverted with your SICK Twisted mind, It's only in YOU'RE perverted, SICK Twisted mind that satanic rituals etc,, Lucifer Satan and his minions exist and are walking the street. And being gay DOES NOT make you a pedophile, there are far more so call good Christian conservative heterosexual pedophile out on the street then gay And the reason as you say "children have been found in the dumbs" is because of you so call good Christian conservative that take away others right to choose whether they can have an abortion You claim to be pro life yet once the child is born, you don't give a damn what happen to the child or it's mother after it born. You and others like you willing and gleefully take away all and any social programs or any other type aid that the mother and her child desperately need in order to just survive.
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Paul Edward Nunis
When you talk to God, Buddha, or Jesus that's prayer. When they talk back, that's a hallucination.
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Joshua Vanhorn
Nobody is grooming children. They're letting them know that it's ok to be yourself because there's so many disgusting people like you tell them it's not, and then they do things like commit suicide. They deserve protection because people like you kill them everyday with hate.
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Daniel Gray
Its very simple. The Library should re-open and stock the books they community wants. if the community has a problem with some books, then place them in a restricted area but dont remove them. And if the community members still have a problem then dont support the library with their tax monies. Everything is settled.
Now as for the LGBTQ employees, have them sign a contract that says whatever they do at home is their business but they wont promote their lifestyle to children. Nor will they force their other co-workers to accept their lifestyles if this lifestyle violates their religious beliefs, and on that same token any other employee that tries to force their beliefs on the LGBTQ people will suffer the same disciplinary action up to and including termination.
If the straight or the LGBTQ people cannot or will not accept this then they either are not hired or terminated. While you cant force people to accept you, you also should not be trying to force your beliefs and lifestyle down others throats. Full Stop end of story
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Dr. Darryl G Dykes
A person cannot dictate which taxes pay for what service. The public can only vote for candidates that believe as they do.
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Daniel Gray
Nope sorry, most of the libraries in the US have a very small amount coming from taxes, they usually have more the 70% coming from levies that the library board gets approved by the city to have placed on the ballot. The taxpayers can at that time decide if they are going to renew it or not. Therefor if they dont approve the levy then its the fault of the library going against the wishes of the people paying the bills. Ask your homestate Sec of State about the levies and I am betting that you will get a major shock
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Ilmenheru Terikson
Shows what you know then DG. Here in my county the person who runs the library is also the single wealthiest woman in the tri county area. She is the sole person who decides every single aspect of how our local library is run. She also is basically queen of the county as the sheriff and the judges are all her family. After all who do you think funds their election campaigns?
Luckily she is also old school Mafia family and they are Catholics hence side with Biden entirely on faith alone.
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Daniel Gray
So what...her vote is still a single vote right? So are you saying that her vote is worth more then the other taxpayers?
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Rev. B
The amount is irrelevant. If they take even one penny from the government they have to play by their rules. Either that or do not accept the money and make it a private library.
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Daniel Gray
And if you check the finances you will find that ALL local libraries are supported by local tax levies, meaning that there is not any federal government monies coming to them. Therefor its the PUBLIC who pays the taxes that make the decisions on what goes into and what is kept out of the local library. Heck even the local library board has to come to the County Commissioners or the city council and REQUEST a tax levy. SO my apologies but it is the tax payer that funds the library, not the federal government so they dont have to deal with any strings attached except to the local people who are funding it. The last time I looked the only libraries that are being funded by the federal government are the Smithsonian and the US Library of Congress and places like that, not the local libraries.
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Rev. B
I never said federal, I just said "government". Local government (city, county, town) is still government. If local taxes pay for a library, then they have to play by local rules. It doesn't matter WHICH government (local, state, federal) but whoever it is, you take their money you play by their rules. Each one handles things differently, so there is no blanket rule for all localities. My point was only that if you take tax money, you are beholden to them.
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Daniel Gray
And they are closer to the taxpayer then the state or federal. As such the local taxpayer can and will go after the people they think is mucking about with their taxes. And exactly, if you take tax money you are beholden to the whims of the taxpayer, which is exactly what I have been saying all along
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Lori-Ann Neeb
That is not an answer because asking anyone of any sexual orientation or gender to sign an agreement implies that there is something wrong with it that needs to be regulated. I looked to see if you suggested straight people signing the same agreement but if it was there I missed it. All the conservatives are already violating the agreement you propose by illegally harassing and targeting non heterosexuals. Your plan would only be mentionable if all employees signed such agreements. How about making everyone who applied for membership also signed your agreement? Somehow I doubt they would, even if they could read it. This is a situation where basic rights are involved so no compromises should be accepted and those involved in any of the illegal harrassment or bullying should be prosecuted. Those that disagree with a free library policy should just shut up and just not use the library if it bothers them so much. And good luck getting phones and lap tops away from those children they claim to be so worried about.
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Daniel Gray
so what part of ALL Employees did you intentionally miss?And how are they harassing anyone if all employees have to sign it? Just because you may want the books there that does not mean that any other person would want them, so either put them in a restricted space or remove them as since its a PUBLIC library, the PUBLIC taxpayer is paying for this and has a right to say what does and does not go into the building they are paying for. If you dont like that then you are free to start your own library and can put whatever books in there that you want. Sorry but there is no "basic rights" of you to enter any building or unless you are paying for it to have any say whatsoever in what goes in or out of the building. And again its NOT free. You have to pay the staff and pay for the books and the utilities and as such its the taxpayer who does this. As for getting the phones and laptops away from the children, thats the parents job and if they decide its a swift and strong "no" then no it is. I mean the Amish dont seem to be having much trouble with it. Your whole post has been destroyed in less then 3 minutes. Want to try again?
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Lori-Ann Neeb
My reply was not destroyed as you say. And I did say that I looked to see if there was any mention of all employees but missed it if it was there. So that part of your reply was a waste of everyone's time. And your argument that there would be no harrassment after signed forms totally missed the mark since all the harrassment and bullying which started all this has already happened and is the focus. But I guess you had no defense for the conservative bullies so you tried to deflect away from what has really been said. The issue is past behavior that has already happened. Stay focused, if you can. At least I speak to the matter at hand.
Look at the thread your side of bigotry is not supported except by a few others like you. More think like I do than support you. No matter where the funds come from, public means public. All books should be allowed. Let whoever chooses them read them. If your premise was considered that all conservative literature and religious books would be kept in a private section as well. But I suspect you don't care about fair. Your don't want all religious books kept separate. Just the ones you don't like. What makes me and others who think like I do different is we are not afraid of your texts. If I don't want to read something, I would just leave it on the shelf. I would care whether or not your bigoted, judgmental stuff was there either way. You need to stop trying to play with the grown ups, gather your play group and go burn a cross or two and leave the library alone.-
Daniel Gray
believe whatever you want if it helps you sleep at night but the facts are that you WERE destroyed and nothing you can say or do is going to change that.
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Lori-Ann Neeb
And you still try to preserve whatever control you want over the replies by deflection and avoiding anything above your IQ. Who knows. Maybe that is why books bother you so much. All the big words give you headaches! Thank you so much for worrying about my sleep. It is just fine.
Destroyed? really? You think way too much of yourself for a man whose side is in the minority on this thread. Why are you even on a church's thread anyway? You clearly know nothing but hate. And if you didn't get it, that was a direct question. If you can't answer it, then crawl back under your rock and get off the thread.-
Daniel Gray
I did answer the question only you refuse to accept the answer as you know I am right each and every time the local library comes before the taxpayer asking for money. So again the taxpayer has the right to say what does and does not go into the library. And again if you dont like it then start your own library and put whatever books you want in there but the second you try and ask the taxpayer for money is the second you no longer control that library. Seems common sense has left the building with you. So either you can concede or you can continue to show that you know nothing about how taxes work.
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T Kosse`
Don’t Tread on Me, But Let Me Tread All Over You: The Credo of Personal Freedom and Limitless Greed
Part 1 of 4
Every neighborhood has one.
A yellow flag showing a coiled spring of a snake above the motto, “Don’t Tread on Me.”
In my usually well-manicured suburb, you’ll find it waving bravely over the garbage house.
There’s three broken down RVs sitting on the lawn, a busted sofa in the back yard, a rotten picnic bench and several rusted out vehicles in various states of disrepair.
I’m not sure why the owners think anyone would want to tread on them. We’d much rather walk quickly on by without being seen or commented on.
Because in my experience that’s the thing about most of the people who fly this flag.
They’re indignant about anyone stepping on their rights but all too ready to step all over yours.
I remember it wasn’t really too long ago that this flag had no such connotations.
It was simply the Gadsen flag, a relic of the American Revolution. It was nothing more than a reminder of a time when we cherished our national independence from Great Britain and wanted to make sure they knew we didn’t want the King to come back and start ordering us around.
In fact, it was designed by American general and politician Christopher Gadsden in 1775. This “Sam Adams of South Carolina” modeled his patriotic statement first used by the Continental Marines on an earlier famous cartoon from Benjamin Franklin’s Pennsylvania Gazette.
You’ve probably seen it. A snake is cut into several pieces – each representing one of the colonies – with the motto, “Join or Die.”
So originally it was a call for unity, perhaps even federalism. It was a way of framing the argument that we’d be stronger as one nation than as a group of separate states.
Gadsen’s version was really a continuation of that same thought. It was as if he were saying, “Here we are, one unified nation ready to strike to protect itself from tyranny.”
It wasn’t until 2009 that Gadsen’s flag became associated with the radical right.
Like so many hitherto nonpartisan symbols, it was appropriated by the Tea Party movement, which tried to cast their libertarian extremism as somehow harkening back to the American Revolution.
Even the name Tea Party is a misnomer. The original Boston members of the Sons of Liberty who threw British tea into the harbor in 1773 were protesting taxation without representation. Modern day Tea Partiers were protesting the taxes levied by their own duly elected representatives.
They were poor people duped into thinking the rich paid too much despite the fact of gross income inequality and the wealthy not paying their fair share.
It’s this willful ignorance that typifies the contemporary right.
The truth doesn’t matter. It only matters what can be spun into a pithy sound bite that can be broadcast on Fox News or some other propaganda source and then repeated ad infinitum in place of any real debate or conversation.
To be fair, the left does it, too, but not nearly to the same degree.
When a topic makes the rounds of the 24-hour news cycle, you can hear the same canned responses from right and left on just about every channel regardless of who is speaking. The only difference is that the left usually makes at least passing reference to reality while the right closes its eyes and says whatever it believes to be true with perfect conviction.
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John Daly
Lie like a leftist.
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T Kosse`
Don’t Tread on Me, But Let Me Tread All Over You: The Credo of Personal Freedom and Limitless Greed
Part 2 of 4
The Gadsen flag is a perfect example of this hypocrisy.
The motto “Don’t Tread on Me” has come to mean radical individual freedom.
I can do whatever I like and there’s nothing you can do about it.
I can own as many guns as I like. I can teach my kids whatever facts I like. I can discriminate against anyone I like.
But there’s never a mention about other people except to limit what they can do in relation to the speaker.
In short, there’s nothing explicit about making this rule universal – I won’t tread on you if you won’t tread on me.
It’s just don’t tread on me and I’ll do whatever I like in relation to you.
After all, many of these personal freedoms the radical right cherishes actually do impact the rest of us.
Unregulated gun ownership means more shootings, more suicides, more deadly instances of domestic violence, more kids coming to school with semi-automatic guns in their book bags and more malls and theaters slick with bystander blood.
Moreover, if you teach your kids whatever facts you like, that means you indoctrinate them into your worldview. You don’t give them the chance to see the real world for what it is in case they may have different views on it than you do. This impacts both your children and the country, itself, which will have to somehow run with a greater portion of ignorant and close-minded citizens.
And don’t get me started on discrimination! You think you should be able to say whatever you like to whomever you like whenever you like. It’s fine to wear a t-shirt calling Hillary Clinton a “cunt” but when late night comedian Samantha Bee does the same to Ivanka Trump, you’re up in arms!
You think you can support laws that allow bakers to refuse to make wedding cakes for gay couples but are raving mad when a restaurateur refuses service to Sarah Huckabee Sanders!
This kind of sanctimonious duplicity has real world consequences.
Unarmed black people are shot and killed by police at a much higher rate than white people. Yet you won’t tolerate any protest, condemnation or protest. People can’t assemble in the streets, athletes can’t kneel during the national anthem, you won’t even allow the slogan “Black Lives Matter,” because you say, “All Lives Matter,” while in reality you mean “All Lives Except Black Ones.”
You oppose abortion but no one is forcing anyone to have abortions. In your headlong crusade for individual freedom you want to ensure that others don’t have this choice because they might choose differently than you. Or at least they might choose differently than you SAY you do, because when the light of day is cast upon you, we find an alarming number of hypocrites here, too.
There are too many far right politicians who campaign on overturning Roe v. Wade who pressure their mistresses to abort the unwanted issue of their indiscretion.
The underlying cause of such myopia is a perverse focus only on the self.
You look at what you want for you and pay no attention at all to what others should likewise be allowed.
It is the underlying selfishness of post Enlightenment Western thought come back to haunt us.
Hobbes and Locke and Smith told us that greed was good.
It’s what makes the world go round.
You look to your self-interest, and I’ll look to mine, and that’s what’s best for everyone.
However, they forgot that everyone doesn’t have the same power – physical, social, financial or political. Some people are strong and some are weak. Some are rich and some are poor. If you pull the shortest straw at the lottery of birth, you won’t be able to get the same things for yourself as those who won it as soon as the doctor slapped their newborn bums.
So we have layers and layers of class and economics. We have social structures designed to keep black people here and Hispanics there and white people at the top. We have a society that worships the rich and bedevils the poor. We have belief systems that praise one kind of sexuality only and demonizes anything that diverges from that norm. And the most defining thing of any newborn baby is what you’ll find between its legs.
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T Kosse`
Don’t Tread on Me, But Let Me Tread All Over You: The Credo of Personal Freedom and Limitless Greed
Part 4 of 4
“Don’t Tread on Me” has become a farce.
It’s a maxim hoisted on those with very little individual power to convince them to join together and become powerful while guarding the door for the wealthy.
They sit atop their mountains of trash as if they were dragons on piles of gold.
And they point their pitchforks at the rest of us as if we wanted a piece of it.
In this way, they make themselves the willing patsies of the ruling class.
It’s a sad thing to behold.
Because if we all just stopped for a second and recognized our common humanity, we’d agree that the status quo is unacceptable.
If we were more concerned about the rights of all than just our own rights, we’d agree that the wealth of this great nation has not been fairly distributed.
The snake is coiled and ready to strike but it is pointed in the wrong direction.
It shouldn’t be pointed at 99% of us. And it shouldn’t be so solitary.
It should be a sea of snakes, a great slithering mass of humanity, hissing and spitting with venom, our reptilian eyes focused on the elites.
Don’t tread on me?
Don’t tread on USSSSSSSSSSS!
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Paul Edward Nunis
Wedge issue, actual mission accomplished without actually burning the books.
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John P Maher
IF THE TOWN is THAT IGNORANT I AM SURE THEY CAN"T READ ANYWAY, WELL MAYBE M A G A adds, DUH !
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John R Murch Sr
Books of this nature should be in a restricted area for those over 18 the parents should educate children on these issues not a book in the library which is obviously biased to the writer's cause
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Richard Lee Cornell
Book burning. Guess it is a new way of mind control when religious nuts demand that only what they approve others can read. Since many of these parents need to be worry that their sons who are on the fence rail right now might come out early instead of later. Then this is Iowa where it has the highest number of Christian males are girly at heart.
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Pastor Jim
The books in question may be labeled according to content and certain appropriate rating systems put in place.. but I absolutely oppose "book-burning" of any kind
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Lori-Ann Neeb
who would be given the right to make those rating decisions? And would only books they disapproved of come under the microscope? That is why that would not work. Display all books and let whoever chooses read them.
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Paul Edward Nunis
Who should decide appropriateness indeed? Remember when the 'Won't someone think of the chiiiiildren?' crowd placed a Parental Warning offensive lyrics sticker on a 100% instrumental recording?
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Pastor Dallas
So there's "promoting" something and there's "giving access" to something. If your library is "promoting" the LGBTQ+ lifestyle by holding events and doing things for Pride Week and the likes... then this is wrong. Simply having the material available for those who want it is perfectly okay. Now before you get yourself into fix about this distinction, keep in mind that this standard should also be for all beliefs as well. Including that of religion. The problem with modern day society is that we have become a society that revolves around beliefs being part of one's identity. With this, the idea that you're either on one side or other of ones personal beliefs. If your believe in something, it becomes part of your identity and therefore you must stand for everything in which the majority of that identity stands for. Groups of Christians are being persecuted by their own because their own beliefs on this particular matter.
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Patric Lee
100% agree!!!! Well done sir
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Jessica North-O'Connell
Whatever happened to "love one another???"
And if you don't like a book, please don't feel obliged to read it, however much you may learn from it! I hear "ignorance is bliss," except for those one is ignorant about.
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Sandra A Rasmussen
I haven’t entered a library in years-these days, one can look up anything on the Internet I suggest the butthurts do the same!
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Jean Bakula
So many of the people who oppose literature about the LGBTQ community have no understanding of how hard it is for queer people to figure out their orientation and what their experience is. Many don't come out until their 30s, unlike what we see in sitcoms and such. It's very hard by these people to be accepted, even by their families. That's why there are so many teen suicides. Instead of judging what you fear and don't understand, perhaps donate to the Trevor Project.
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Jerry Lee Spencer
Comment removed by user.
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Jerry Lee Spencer
the community continually harassed its staff over their decision to stock books with LGBTQ themes.
This person was only during their job. To be harassed in this way was wrong. I know people want what they want. I get that! LGBTQ is a group of people that needs to know GOD loves them, too. We all have a soul that need to be saved. We are a people, so much into one self. We have become people that can not see the truth if GOD the FATHER was 18 inches from a person faces.
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Jerry Lee Spencer
"The community continually harassed its staff over their decision to stock books with LGBTQ themes". The staff member was only during their job. It is wrong to be harassed for only during your job. GOD the FATHER says to have love one for another. HE meant what HE said to have love one for another. The LGBTQ is a group of people that have a soul, like all of mankind. Jesus Christ came to save all of mankind, save our soul.
GOD's want mankind to have love for another. GOD's love has to be in our hearts for others. By we having GOD's in our hearts for others Keep us right in GOD's eyes. All of this is about GOD and not man. Mankind is going to suffered bad, because mankind refuse to acknowledge GOD the FATHER, through HIS Son Jesus Christ and by HIS Holy Spirit.
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Rev Ned
It is truly, bigly, sad that the straight children of conservative CINOs (Christian in name only) are so weak minded that reading a book or two with LGBTQ characters would make them decide to turn gay.
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Patric Lee
Has anyone read Fahrenheit 451? The banning of expression is a dead end street. One of the core tenets of this organization is the belief in letting everyone express their thoughts and opinions right? The banking of books based on content is nothing more than a suppression of that belief.
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Terri J. OFlanagan
This material is readily available online for people to purchase reading material. I believe it should be kept out of public libraries.
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Keith
I’m a gay Christian and I find this offensive that a library was closed because it has LGBTQ books on hand. You as a good and concerned parent should be spending time with your children and giving them guidance on what you think is appropriate for them to read at the library, instead of putting up a fuss over having this material in the library. Your priority should be spending time with your child and not complaining about books in the library. You stated that your children being around LGBTQ books and people can influence your child’s sexuality. You are incorrect about this fact. I grew up in the south in the 60’s and 70’s and our library did not have LGBTQ books and I didn’t know any gay people to influence me on my sexuality. I was alone and scared because I was different and had to learn about what I was feeling and what it meant all by myself. Your sexuality is not something you can be taught by someone’s influence or example, because I’m an example and I had no one. So that is not a valid point, so get yourself educated and help your children if and when they need help, because believe me I know
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Ronald Ramirez
The radical right/evangelicals, Pharisees. do not have the right to hold everyone hostage for a false accusation of persecution, when in fact they are the actual people who persecute others for disagreeing with them. That’s why people are leaving the church in droves.
How does it help anyone to close libraries? These parents had better examine their priorities.
Susan — the greatest danger to parasitic religious groups, is the same now as it was when the Christian God forbid humanity to eat (via, an apple) from the tree of knowledge.
Besides libraries, those who rely on tribal group-think (aka, church’s) want to get rid of science education, travel to Counties that aren’t primarily Christian, as well as books that clearly show that supernaturalism (via, a religious dogma) is symptomatic of pre-literate tribal thinking — which explains MAGA’ers, and racist white Christian Nationalists.
Local Libraries are funded by taxes paid by the local residents. If the majority of the residents oppose placement of books that violate local standards the Library must remove the books. The Library does not have to close it's doors just adhere to community standards.
Wrong. We don't play the censorship game on the whims of bigoted cultists, certainly not when it comes to public institutions. You can eff right off with that noise. Besides, it isn't a majority of the residents in that community (20 miles from me), it's a tiny but obnoxious group of Trumpublicans, and they can eff right off with you.
Gay is not contagious! If you do not want to read a book do not check it out! Keep your religious views to yourself, as on this issue your wrong. Read your Bible again! Sodom and Gommorah was about inhospitality to homosexuality! God hates inhospitality! Cliff notes? God tells Abraham that He's going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their sins. Abraham begs God to spare his nephew Lot and other righteous people in the cities and God agrees to spare them if ten righteous men can be found. Two Angels (disguised as men) meet Lot in Sodom and Lot Graciiously lets them into his home.Lot was Hospitable but the men of Sodom surrounded his house and demanded to know the the Angels. Lot offers his virgin daughters instead but this angers the mob. The Angels strike the mob blind. Lot and his family are evacuated and God rained down sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah as punishment for their sins. Lot was evacuated after offering his virgin daughters for sex and that wasn't a sin? No, because God rained down sulpher because Lot allowed the Angels into his home, Lot was hospitable! For centuries Christioans have narrowly interpreted the story to mean that God destroying Sodom brcause of the Sodomites desire to rape the Angels is an anti gay message rather than an anti violence, anti rape, anti hatred one. Read Ezekiel 16:49 to back this claim. Sodomites were a proud people, who refused to help weary travelers in need,Rather than welcome strangers they raped them, men, women alike! Hebrews 13:2 puts a point to it! Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained Angels withoit knowing it. God Hates Inhospitality!
Catering to bullies never helps and violates the rights of innocent people. The library has just as much right to operate as it sees fit and deems fulfils it's responsibilities to the entire public which it serves. Conservative hate groups calling themselves "christians" and trying to use the title to defend their own agendas, should just not read books they do not want to read. It is ironic that these groups complain about anything they disapprove of yet think nothing of throwing the bible in others faces. I am not against the bible even though it is inaccurate in many places and manipulated by the church that published it according to their agendas. It still has it place. Just read with an open and inquisitive mind. No one is limited to only one version either. Also read any other texts that help you find that path that feels right to them. Books do not indoctrinate children into anything. Their home environment does more good or harm depending on the situation.
Those few that act out to control what their library displays don't have that right. They can file complaints and respect the church's decision to not discriminate. If they do none of those things because they know they are legally wrong or discriminatory, take the hint and just do not read what you choose not to read.
Books have nothing to do with a person's sexual preferences. We come into this life with a chart in place for our lives. Sometimes a male entity will choose a female form for whatever reason serves what it came to experience or learn. It is the same as if a female entity chooses a male form. They are who they were born to be and loved by God. There is nothing wrong or unnatural about them. If God loves them as they are, why shouldn't you? The library needs to remain open in spite of the bullies and hate groups. Let those who try to stop them deal with legal penalties. It is like the bullies want to get away with their crimes because it is a small town library. The scale is very different but think about Jan. 6th. Where would our nation be right now if they gave in and closed the white house instead of defending it?
Here's the deal... when you're talking about taxes paying for libraries why should a majority get to decide what books are available? Everyone pays taxes, therefore the library should have material that everyone can identify with and enjoy. If not, they shouldn't get tax dollars.
I think the priorities are to keep your damn LGBTQ to yourselves. Don't flaunt it in my or anyone's fave when it goes against the natural order. Would you want someone who is a pediphile throw that lifestyle in your face if it was legal, or living beastiality, or having a lifestyle with multiple married women or men and flat ti.g it. If that is the type of society you want to live in you're pretty damn sick in the head. I prefer morality and a recognition of the natural order. Not your preconceived WOKE 7dea of a equal sick society where everybody can do whatever they like. So become a cannibal. Sick ####. And you what word can fill that.
I would have preferred backward, hate mongering opinions such as yours not be forced on me either. But guess what? Freedom of speech allows you to spew hate if you choose. Comparing gay lifestyles to those you mentioned proves how many centuries behind us that you and any of your kind are than the rest of us. If you want your right to be a prejudiced, small minded neanderthal, then the rest of the public has the same right to display any of their publications also.