26 FEB 09: It Ain't Dead Yet
A mother finds a school library book embedded with profanities, and a school district committee rules it can stay. So much for the Muscogee County School Board engaging in spring cleaning....
The decision to reject a parent's appeal and keep a grade school library book came Wednesday from the "Media Committee" of Muscogee County schools. How long have they had this committee? And why isn't it explaining to reporters how nice the new administration building will be?
Wednesday's discussion started when Shirley Waller's nine-year-old daughter brought a book home from the Reese Road Elementary School library. It was a novel set in the Revolutionary War called "My Brother Sam is Dead." These days, grade schoolers might face a computer version of this - "My Brother Sim is Dead."
It wasn't the dead brother in the book which stunned Shirley Waller. She says she found at least 19 profanities in the text - and apparently none of them were scribbled inside by smart-aleck sixth-graders.
On the surface, Shirley Waller's argument seems logical. She says profane words are not allowed in Muscogee County schools, so they shouldn't be allowed in school library books. While we're at it, school cafeterias probably need to put some radio stations on a six-second tape delay during lunch....
But members of the Media Committee were unimpressed. They noted "My Brother Sam is Dead" is a well-written novel, which has won awards. So? They once gave the Academy Award for Best Picture to an X-rated movie.
The Media Committee added it's never banned a single book from Muscogee County schools. That may be true. But some of us remember when Guy Sims was Superintendent, and he ordered a small "touch-up" of textbooks showing the classic portrait of "Washington Crossing the Delaware." It's still the only time I've ever heard George Washington and "cover-up" used in the same sentence.
The evening news dared to show parts of the novel which Shirley Waller considered objectionable. They're certainly words I would never use. But I have some news which may stun Waller again - those words also are in the King James Bible, which is probably in school libraries as well.
Some familiar arguments come up, when a parent complains about this sort of book. Critics say profanity is everywhere, including television and the movies. It's the "everybody's doing it" argument - yet parents are supposed to teach their children to reject that argument when it comes to illegal drugs.
Others say families can set their own language rules - but those rules about morality should be kept in the home, not imposed on others. Those people must not have lost their homes in the last six months, to greedy loan companies making false promises.
I admittedly haven't read "My Brother Sam is Dead" - but I would ask if those 19 profane words are absolutely necessary to tell the story. If they're not, what's the point of including them? Are some schools daring to add them to spelling bees as well?
This debate actually marked the first time I'd heard of "My Brother Sam is Dead." Yet it ranked among the most challenged library books of the last decade, not far below the Harry Potter books. When ARE they planning to make the movie version of "Heather Has Two Mommies," anyway?
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BLOG UPDATE: We received some old-fashioned "snail mail" the other day, from an anonymous writer who doesn't think much of that new Phenix City partnership with Troy University....
Economic development pursuits began in in earnest with Phenix 2000 over 15 to 20 years ago (city subsidized), with little or no success
We are currently signed on with economic development efforts with the Phenix-Russell Chamber of Commerce. With regardss to this the Mayor takes extravagant trips with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, in what has amounted to "no results".
We are currently under contractual agreement with the Valley Partnership in an effort to secure industry.
Our previous council contracted with a firm to identify areas (commercial, retail), that we need to cultivate in the name of economic development. We have paid for this.
We have, by contract, engaged the services of numerous firms (some excellent) with no positive results.
The most recent agreement with Jack Hawkins of the "worldwide" Troy University campus further confuses me. We have subsidized Troy to the tune of 2 million dollars for the purpose of purchasing property which will be non-revenue producing sources for the city of Phenix City, Alabama.
Our August mayor makes reference to this as a global economic development partnership. We currently cannot even compete in a state development competition.
Furthermore we are providing Hawkins with city office space to the tune of $35,000. to$100,000. per year
Furthermore, we will be provided the services of one Judson Edwards of Hawkins staff. Please accept my apologies if I am wrong, but could this be the same indivual who previously served as Director of Economic Development for the City of Phenix City with absolutely no positive results.
Coulters, comments "this partnership pools our talents and resources to attract retail, commercial and industrial development to our city and community. We anticipate this partnership will become a model for cities throughout our great state to follow.This statement I find to be "truly shocking" when we remember that this is the same "little mayor" who endorsed and promoted the multi million dollar purchase of a industrial park with soils determined to be sub-standard or conducive for development.
Summarily, it appears that the poor people of Phenix City will continue to be the victims of "misdirected or incapable leadership." It appears that the destiny and future of the people of Phenix City is in the hands of three people, George Jones, Jack Hawkins and Sonny Coulter. Maybe Sonny can get a job out of this, he has never been able to hold a "real job.
At least Phenix City officials are trying to diversify. They'll keep cutting deals until they find one which really works.
But I'd stop short of concluding nothing positive has come from all the development partnerships. What about that chicken processing plant which opened in Phenix City a couple of years ago? If it wasn't for that, KFC might not have started a value menu the other day.
Our writer appears to be right about Dr. Judson Edwards. He left Phenix City economic development five years ago, to lead a Master's degree program at the University of Southern Mississippi. Edwards then went to Troy, where he's teaching a course in microeconomics this semester. So maybe micro-growth is all you should expect in the months to come.
Mayor Sonny Coulter may have been off-base in the location of the Phenix Industrial Park - but remember something here. Soil problems also have delayed the Streetscape project on Broad Street, and a different mayor promoted that one. Plenty of politicians seem to be brilliant, until you get below skin deep.
Isn't it stunning to know George Jones helps to control the future of Phenix City? He must have been handed that great responsibility from fellow country singer Freddy Hart....
Now as George Jones might sing, "The Race is On" to finish blogging. Here's what else made news Wednesday:
+ WLTZ interviewed Columbus NAACP President Bill Madison about the national organization's 100th anniversary. Madison probably surprised all the viewers by NOT issuing a new complaint against anybody.
+ Richard Hyatt's web site reported Muscogee County Superintendent Susan Andrews has decided NOT to hire an assistant. This proves the Republicans were right after all - because federal stimulus money will NOT save that job.
+ Opelika High School teacher Betty Love was acquitted in municipal court of choking a student. That old phrase is proven true again - Love conquers all.
(In fact, Love's attorney claims the accusing student led to Love being injured by pinning her hand against a desk. You can try all you want to avoid a spanking, but it simply won't work.)
+ WRBL revealed Smiths Station High School has called off classes today, so students can watch the girls' basketball team play in the state semifinals at Birmingham. So why isn't Phenix City Central doing this for the boys team? Central High isn't THAT much closer to Peachtree Mall.
+ Roundball Night in Dixieland (tm) featured the Auburn men mystifying Mississippi 77-64. The Tigers are now 18-10, and dreaming of possible post-season play. But it has to be difficult for the players to dream of being like the Auburn women's team.
+ Instant Message to Lee McCard: What do you mean, WBOJ-FM "103.7 The Truth" is "the station everyone can agree on?" Not if you work with a bunch of atheists....
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