The Chocoloate War of Words: Book banned In Monaca?

Larry Sent me the following post for discussion on my forum at Woody's World, I
wanted to share it in my Blog:

Monaca high school may ban “The Chocolate War” because a small group of parents set on getting their way think the book’s language is inappropriate, it depicts Catholicism in a bad light, and the sexually suggestive parts, especially about masturbation, aren’t appropriate for 14 or 15 year olds. Hello! 14 and 15 year olds swear and masturbate. As do many older folks, possibly the ones challenging this book and or writing on this forum. I wasn’t going to admit that, but what the hell. I dare disturb the universe – which is really the main theme of the book and the quote on the poster in Jerry’s locker (Jerry being the protagonist and the quote being from my favorite poem) It tells me instead of caving into the pressure of a small group of self proclaimed leaders, I should go against the grain. And that’s what the book is about. Anyway, as a Catholic, a swearer and a masturbator, I am not offended by Robert Cormier’s depictions of any of them. And reading the book did not make me swear more, masturbate more or go to church less. (I already do the third in appropriate proportion to balance the first two.)If you want to ban a book, go after that one with the prostitutes, the swearing, the violence, the graphic depictions of torture, the incest, the rape, and the end of the world. That’s right … ban the Bible. Whoops. It’s already banned in schools. Not because of anything on the above list, but instead it breaks that all mighty societal taboo … mentioning God!Ah, the public school system, bullied by small groups of individuals set on getting their way since Huck ran away with Nigger Jim. No wonder they don’t want this book to be read. Can you smell fear?Can you smell irony? Can you smell a book burning? PeaceLarry

Here was my response to Larry's Post:

It was a pleasure to burn," started Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. And, Larry might be right, that could be where we are headed.

There's an increasing library of dangerously free-thinking books that too closely resemble a reality that so many are trying to re-write to deny it ever existed.

The fact that people use the N-word, masturbate, engage in sexual relations or have a religious belief should not be documented for fear that some teenager, that has been so well programmed by our media, might find out that it was once OK to wish somebody a "Merry Christmas."

Whether you are from the left or the right, this type of thought management should be a frightening proposition. This specific case, with The Chocolate War, is somewhat unique in that it contains elements that would offend both the right and the left. The right could take issue with the lewd substance dealing with sex, masturbation and offensive depiction of religion. Then on the left, you could take issue with the fact that the book even deals with religion--not to mention putting the ideas of sex into the minds of 13-14 year olds--isn't that what MTV is for?

But the funniest part of this issue is that this is a book that has been on the shelves of Monaca Library for 26 years! Suddenly, it is a threat. This sudden, striking danger was there when I went to school at Monaca. Yet, somehow, I graduated without swearing any more--I dare say even less--than others. And, I can't begin to discuss the lack of impact or ability it had to incite my love life without profoundly embarassing myself.

Has Robert Cromier added new, dangerous chapters to this book that I don't know about? Has he multiplied or modified the 171 swear words in the book to catch up with the modern potty mouth? Nah! Just like with most things, it seems Monaca is grossly behind the times and misguided.

I, like 99.9 percent of the Monaca school district used the library to get out of study hall and read magazines. Those that were intelligent enough to actually go to the library to recreationally read books, were likely intelligent enough to not be swayed into masturbating because of a book that mentioned a scene about masturbation. The rest of us just checked out books we needed to do reports, or if you needed a cheap thrill, check out National Geographic for a set of tribal boobies or something. Even beyond that, any time you actually needed a book of any quality, you knew you would have to go to Penn State Beaver because Monaca rarely had it.

So, I find this effort by Monaca absolutely misguided on a number of levels. Maybe the true evil of The Chocolate War is that the school district is afraid that the book might insight somebody to refuse to participate in one of the district's weekly fundraising activities. Now there's a real danger!!!

Transcending: Is Everything A Baited Hook?

Just back from Vacation to Ocean City. I should be well rested and ready to roll, but rather, I am recovering from food posioning. Blech!

So, in my last post, I indicated that I planned on using this blog as a repository for things that fascinate me, including lyrics. Have you ever noticed when people rattle off their favorite quote or saying, it's more like a novel? Maybe it's because I have a very short attention span, but I get lost when people bury me with a story rather than a quote.

It wasn't until later in life that I learned the power of words--the unsaid said. I read Kurt Vonnegut's short story Harrison Burgeron. In seven short pages he draws a gloomy picture of a day when everybody is happy because we are finally all equal. I really about fell out of my chair.

Similarly, with lyrics, there are often words or phrases that transcend the song or album. For example, Incubus' Southern Girl starts off with the line, "Is everything a baited hook?" Think about it, how often do you have to wonder what's the catch? Rarely, if ever, are things done without personal gain. What are you giving up to gain? Are you really gaining? Is everything a baited hook?

The Marijuana Debate: Legalize it?

Marijuana advocates across our nation took a major hit today. No, it's not the kind of hit they are accustomed to. The first step in their plan to legalize weed went up in a puff of smoke when the Supreme Court ruled that federal authorities may arrest and prosecute people whose doctors prescribe marijuana to ease pain, concluding that state laws don't protect users from a federal ban on the drug. Does this get you out of joint? Or do you feel the high court just blazed another bad seed? Go ahead, be blunt, fire off your cannon.

MyResponse:
Throughout my life, I've heard some interesting perspectives both for and against the legalization of marijuana. Like most, I've never smoked marijuana and never really had a desire to. I put it in the same category as drinking or cigarette smoking-- it's always seemed like a personal choice. In some ways, I see it as a little more harmless than alcohol because I don't recall many potheads that smoked one too many joints getting hostile in a bar. But, I guess the issue here is the use of marijuana as medicine.

Physicians regularly prescribe medicines like oxycotton, perkodan and other narcotic-type drugs for pain management and other ailments. Physicians are cleared by our government to prescribe drugs like vioxx, celebrex or chemo therapy that have brutal side effects, even death. The government continues to permit the sales of tobacco products despite the demonstrated impact it has on the health of smokers.

So, where's that line being drawn for the decision on marijuana? It seems that many of the people that are prescribed marijuana have a lot more going on in their lives than concern about where the government draws that line. Somebody said to me that the reason that marijuana is not legalized is because it doesn't have the lobby groups that big tobacco and the pharmacy industry has. Well, that's not completely true, NORML and MPP. But, I'm sure that they don't have the deep pockets and make the contributions that the other large lobbies do. I went to college and served in Penn State student government with Rob Kampia. He brought a lot of attention to his issue.In short, if marijuana has proven effective in treating conditions, and its benefits outweigh its side effects, I can not understand any reason to prevent its use other than the fact that the government hasn't found a way to benefit from it yet. So, surprisingly enough to me, I've got to say, legalize it.

"Deep Throat" Monumental Hero or Media Leaker?

There's a Robin Hood-like glamour that is given to all those that somehow stick it to the government. Somehow it is seen as noble to "screw the man." I'll grant you that there are some shady dealings that go on at the government level. And, who knows, if you blow the whistle within the channels, you might become the unfortunate victim of a convincing suicide setup.

So, it is good that there are other ways to bring corruption to light. But, what deepthroat really is is the most famous and high profile media snitch in history. Now, every story has an anonymous government source. The government even adeptly uses these types of "secret" leaks to test the water for issues and information. It's become so transparent and there's so many disgruntled whistleblowers that it's become common practice. Anonymous government sources are now an accepted "source" of information for printing articles.

The real news story here is that members of the media could actually keep a secret this long as to who Deep Throat was. That's the only issue I see as amazing out of this all!

Nine Inch Nails and Free Speech (Transferred from My Forum on WoodysWorld)

An Associated Press article on this issue follows with the details for this issue. In short, MTV (who is a non-stop advocate for Freedom of Speech, Gay Rights, Diversity Advocacy, and frequently waves the partisan banner of liberalism) has butted heads with Nine Inch Nails over their intent to have a backdrop that is apparently critical of President Bush and the war in Iraq. MTV said that it was uncomfortable with such a partisan political statement. Nine Inch Nails has withdrawn from the Awards rather than remove the banner. What are your thoughts on this issue?

************************ASSOCIATED PRESS ARTICLE****************
Nine Inch Nails Clashes With MTV Tuesday, May 31, 2005NEW YORK — Nine Inch Nails dropped out of the MTV Movie Awards after clashing with the network over an image of President Bush the band planned as a performance backdrop. The Bush image was to accompany the song "The Hand That Feeds," which obliquely criticizes the Iraq war. It includes the lyrics: "What if this whole crusade's a charade / And behind it all there's a price to be paid / For the blood on which we dine / Justified in the name of the holy and the divine."MTV said in a statement to its news division that the network was disappointed the industrial rock band would not perform but had been "uncomfortable with their performance being built around a partisan political statement."said in a statement posted on the band's Web site Thursday that the image of the president would have been unaltered and "straightforward.""Apparently, the image of our president is as offensive to MTV as it is to me," he said.  

My Response:
I kind of have to laugh about this topic. MTV has always been about pushing a liberal agenda. MTV is habitually guilty of portraying a eutopian liberal world where diversity, gay men and women and corporate sponsorship live hand in hand. They've been subversively critical of the Bush administration and the war on Iraq. And, they've rallied legions of youth voters in an attempt to forward their eutopian society. So, to say that they do not want partisan politics as part of this event is just plain funny to me. Weren't there scads of anti-war statements in previous award events?

But, by the same token, I'm a HUGE NIN fan, but I can't help but to say, let it go Trent! Damn dude, the election is past. It's not like your banner is going to march Bush out of office. It's ok to have an opinion, really it is. But, we're here for the music--on the rare event that MTV actually plays music. We're in a post-narrative age here. We are in an age where everybody thinks they're right. I don't know one person that has changed their political views following a debate, discussion or even song or backdrop. I really would've thought that both Hollywood and the music industry would have gotten the message that "Hey, you're an artist, not an expert! It's cool to have your opinion and, sure, you can express your opinion. Just don't ram it down my throat. All you're doing is compromising your integrity!"