I'm with the banned

 This week is Banned Book Week, during which we direct our attention to the important issue of censorship.  As dismaying as it may be to say, in the land of the free, a sizable portion of the population would prefer to prevent others from reading books of their own choice.  Perversely, there are organizations of such people, often members of groups with names that include words like "liberty" or "freedom" which insist on quite the opposite.  Instead of avoiding books they object to, they insist on preventing others from reading books they object to.  There can be nothing more cowardly and despicable than obstructing someone else's choice of reading.  When one is afraid of pure ideas, one is afraid of life. And yet, book banners are among us in this modern age; indeed, they seem to be proliferating.  Some pathetic souls even make it a full-time job to ban books for others. But it is abundantly clear: book banners have never turned out to be the heroes of history.

So this week, we focus on the ancient problem that plagues our modern, enlightened society.  Activities, demonstrations, and awareness events are to be found around the country, culminating in a day of action on October 7th.  It is crucial that we resist the banners, scorn their misguided motives, and preserve the ability of all to explore any ideas they wish.  Let freedom read!