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The best way to promote a book is to ban it from the library
A Mississippi community's Library Board voted 3 to 1 Tuesday night to make a best-selling book by comedian Jim Norton available to library patrons again upon request. The book -- "Happy Endings: The Tales of a Meaty-Breasted Zilch" -- has been out of circulation since a patron complained in August. (I've put an ad for the book on the right.) (Biloxi Sun-Herald)
September 26, 2007 | Permalink
Comments
The best way to get anyone to want anything is to tell them they can't have it. Its the single universal perversity that makes observing humans such a hoot.
Posted by: NellAgain | Sep 26, 2007 6:23:35 AM
Wow. Thanks Jim. That was, quite possibly, one of the greatest examples of shoddy news-writing I'd ever seen (and I live in Milwaukee and read the Journal-Sentinel, so that's saying a lot).
Clearly, your services are desperately needed in Biloxi.
Posted by: Dan | Sep 26, 2007 6:30:41 AM
"That kind of garbage there, I don't think belongs in the library, " Ogborn said. "You can call it censorship or anything you want to but there's a difference in right and wrong and that's wrong."
Okay, I'll call it censorship. Who the hell is he to determine what's right and wrong? That's up to the taxpayer's who fund the library. If it were up to him he'd probably cover the wang on Michelangelo's David.
Can I file a complaint against the Bible and have it removed from circulation?
Posted by: G-Man | Sep 26, 2007 6:34:33 AM
You know what I think is wrong David Ogborn? That your state full of under-achieving trash gets pick my pocket to balance the budget, and then goes on to insult and degrade that principals I stand for.
Posted by: Sean, Torrington CT | Sep 26, 2007 6:44:42 AM
oops, principles.
Posted by: Sean, Torrington CT | Sep 26, 2007 6:44:51 AM
I'm going to echo what G-Man said - let everyone decide for themselves what is offense and what is not.
I listen to Jim Norton every day on the Opie & Anthony radio show. Personally, I think he's hilarious but I can certainly see why some people might be shocked or offended by his material.
Just about every book in the library could be considered offensive by someone out there. It's really simple, if you don't like it, don't read it, but don't tell everyone else that they can't read it as well!
Posted by: M12 | Sep 26, 2007 6:49:53 AM
That's it. I'm going back to school for a journalism degree. It shouldn't be hard to get a job because I know how to spell. In lieu of that, I know how to hit the "spell-check" button. Plus, I know where to place punctuation. I think my resume will point out those facts. Obviously those qualities are sorely lacking in the journalism world. They'll all want to snatch me up!
Posted by: pirate wench | Sep 26, 2007 7:04:43 AM
These assmasters have no business telling other people what they may or may not read. Don't like a library book? Then don't check it out!
Posted by: Phranqlin | Sep 26, 2007 7:32:06 AM
I'm going to echo what G-Man said - let everyone decide for themselves what is offense and what is not.
I listen to Jim Norton every day on the Opie & Anthony radio show. Personally, I think he's hilarious but I can certainly see why some people might be shocked or offended by his material.
Just about every book in the library could be considered offensive by someone out there. It's really simple, if you don't like it, don't read it, but don't tell everyone else that they can't read it as well!
Posted by: M12 | Sep 26, 2007 7:42:53 AM
Poverty + Obesity = Ignorance??
All imminently curable. A winnable battle within our own borders.
Posted by: thomas | Sep 26, 2007 7:49:26 AM
If its on the radio and you dont want to listen to it....turn the station, if its on TV and you dont want to see it..change the channel. If its a book you think is garbage dont buy it/borrow it/read it. What is so confusing about that people? We have freedom of speech in the USA and we also have the freedom not to listen.
Posted by: cherie | Sep 26, 2007 8:04:26 AM
Well put, cherie. Well put.
Posted by: pirate wench | Sep 26, 2007 8:12:57 AM
Now there is something to take a hard-line stance on, banning a humorous book. Don't worry about two separate wars going on, or the unflux of illegal immigrants, social security or our failing health care, educational and judicial systems.
Ban a book and that will make everything better somehow.
The world, and this country needs more humor, not less.
What we need is a ban on dickheads.
Posted by: JB | Sep 26, 2007 9:35:02 AM
i was reading this filthy book the other day. this guy was fleeing a disaster with his two daughters, apparently the daughters thought then next city was too far away to get some action, so these girls got their dad drunk.. and had sex with him.
filthy stuff. i wonder if this protester knows that book is in his library too.
Posted by: boynamedsue | Sep 26, 2007 9:39:29 AM
nice one, BNS. I've read that one, too. Did you see the part where the dad tried to pimp the girls to the *entire* male half of the city to protect his (male) guests? Wait 'til you get to the sexy poetry!
That would be fun to see, G-Man. If you try it, let us know, so we can watch this column for updates.
Posted by: Dee | Sep 26, 2007 10:08:09 AM
"Assmaster" sounds more like a compliment, don't you think Phranq?
Posted by: jdotglenn | Sep 26, 2007 11:45:04 AM
Actually, I think the "assmaster" is a product you can buy in a certain type of specialty shop, in which case is not a compliment.
About the censorship thing:
There are literally tons of things out there I don't want my kids to see, and that I don't want to see. However, I do not want anyone telling me what I can and can't read/see, now that I'm a registered voter.
The first amendment protects all speech; it's up to me to decide if I want the exposure. These protesters need to go jogging with the lemmings.
Posted by: Soo | Sep 27, 2007 5:55:34 AM
