Demagogue

Or perhaps the title of my favorite pulp novel, The Gods Hate Kansas, is just coming true. Whatever the case, I feel sorry for the innocents of the state because they'll be right in the middle of the culture war this year.

First off, the creationists have formally taken back power at the state Board of Education. Let the media circus...I mean public hearings begin! I'm sure that they can beat back challenges from the wanna-bes in those little counties in Pennsylvania and Georgia, to become the icons of scientific ignorance once again.

Secondly, the Blue Valley School District near Kansas City is seriously considering banning 14 books. The challenge was nurtured by the local Concerned Women for America and has resulted in a local group devoted to monitoring the dirty words in books.

In the spirit of finding entertainment in a depressing situation, I'd like to share a few tidbits from the website. In case you have forgotten how often dirty words appeared in Catcher in the Rye, you can find that and many other naughty bits here: http://www.classkc.org/badwords.php And the comments section is not to be missed either. A few excerpts:

I cannot believe the kids are being asked to read books that contain the f-word!! Five years ago in Oklahoma, we never had to read anything like that, but when I was a senior I did have to read Lord of the Flies. I was also told it was important to read this novel before going to college. I found it very far-fetched and depressing. Since then, I've earned my undergraduate liberal arts degree from KU and am now in graduate school there. So far, the book hasn't come up yet.

Any teacher who even suggests that minor students should read The Bluest Eye should be fired!

When you read the f-word, it just gets stuck in your head. (Blue Valley student)

This is all very retro. I half expect to see the Meese commission to start up again.