To Read Or Not To Read - That Is The Question

There's a contraversy brewing locally over a reading list for an advance course literature class. One of the title is Prince Of Tides. Now, never mind that any student can walk into Blockbusters and rent the film, some parents/community leaders have decided this is material students shouldn't read. They claim it is obscene, that the graphic violence is not suitable for "children". Oh, and did I mention one of the characters is gay?

Graphic violence: Okay. Let's do a reality check then. Shall we also ban all news broadcasts until after "children" go to bed? Should we make newspapers a restrictive item? What about video games that blow body parts off complete with spraying blood?

Have I mentioned yet that these "children" are junior and senior high school students, many who have been recruited already by armed forces representatives?

You can't have it both ways. You can't claim high school students are impressionable "children" who shouldn't be exposed to violence and gay issues because their tender brains haven't developed and THEN turn and claim they're able to realistically understand what war includes and profess they can stand up against the pressures of recruiters.

If they can't read about gays without being influenced to "turn gay", then how can they possibly in any way stand up to the influence of the US Military?

If they can't handle graphic violence how the hell do you justify sending 18 year olds to kill?

And let me be clear: I support our military. This is not a slam to them. But it is a hiddeous job and no one should enter into a contract to perform their duties without being fully informed. Evidently some people in WV can't see the contradictions in their concerns, however.