Thank you, Harry Potter!  You and your satanistic ways have surpassed "homosexual content" as a challenge to library books across the nation. 

According to the American Library Association, the Harry Potter series is at the top of the list (2000-2005) of books targeted to be removed from libraries.  Recognize any of the others?

1. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

2. "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

3. Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

4. "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck

5. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

6. "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers

7. "It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris

8. Scary Stories series by Alvin Schwartz

9. Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey

10. "Forever" by Judy Blume

I've read Hary Potter, Of Mice and Men, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and Forever (good grief - is Judy Blume still controversial b/c of the most innocuous love scene ever written?). 

I surfed over to GoodReads.com (be my friend if you want!) for more information on the other books.  "It's Perfectly Normal" is a children's book about sexuality that discusses homosexual and masturbation in an age-appropriate, healthy way.  The Alice series briefly mentions (and supports) both homosexuality and <gasp> interracial dating. 

The rundown on complaints?

1,607 for "sexually explicit" material

1,427 for "offensive language"

1,256 for material considered "unsuited to age group"

842 for material with an "occult theme or promoting the occult or Satanism"

737 for material considered "violent"

515 for material with a homosexual theme or "promoting homosexuality"

419 for material "promoting a religious viewpoint."

The group lists as other stated reasons: "nudity" (317 challenges), "racism" (267 challenges), "sex education" (224 challenges) and "anti-family" (202 challenges).

I suppose you could say what a sad world we live in when sexual language and activity is more threatening to parents (and groups) than books with violent or racist themes.  However, like most rational adults, I would prefer to be the one selecting what books are appropriate for my child (and myself), not some wingnut fringe anti-gay, sex-fearing, God-lovin' group of loonies. 

You know what book freaked me out when I was young?  Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton.  That was a seriously psychologically scary book for a 15 year old.  And our dreary old literature instructor, Mr. Ludwig, didn't help matters -- he was the kind of guy who would say "Write a 750 word essay ..." to a bunch of 15 year olds and then yell at us when we counted the words.  Not the best way to teach an appreciation of literature (or critical writing skills). 

For fun, check out the Captain Underpants website. 

So I'm going to add some of the "banned" books to my GoodReads list.  The Chocolate War and Fallen Angels sound particularly interesting. 

Any books freak you out when you were a youngster? 

So, there's this Senator from Idaho.  Maybe you've heard about him?  I've had a ton of email messages asking me when I'll blog about it.  I did a segment on McIntire yesterday.  And I've spoken at length with all the important homos in my life about the whole situation.  Here's my quick summary:

First, hypocrite with a capital HYP.  No question.  Closeted gay man actively oppresses us.  Not cool.

Second, police "sting" = entrapment.  I'm so not okay with arresting people for their thoughts or intentions.  Toe tapping and bag placement do not constitute a violation of the law, regardless of their intent.  My understanding is that the police officer played along, using established signals to communicate his interest. A friend explained to me that it is physically impossible for the scenario to have gone down without the police officer doing some fancy footwork of his own.

Third, the wingnuts are going to eject Craig faster than Mark Foley can compose an email.  He'll resign so a R appointee can take the "incumbent advantage" in the upcoming election.  You heard it here first.

Finally, the hysteria around men having sex in the bathroom is pathetic.  Good grief, people, get a grip.  The predator in the bathroom is not a gay man looking to make a connection with another adult.  My friend explained to me in great detail how much effort the individuals take to have some modicum of privacy and not expose their sexual activities to other people. 

Hey.  This morning, Ledcat and I rolled out of bed early to head up to North Park to celebrate Bark in the Park with Animal Friends.  Mona was ecstatic about it, but the boys stayed home. 

When we arrived, we saw that the police had detained two individuals and word in the park was that they were protestors there about the geese massacre.  We were unable to confirm that fact, so I thought I'd throw the incident out to see if anyone knows exactly what went down and why?  I have my suspicions, but I'm waiting for details before I share them with the world.

The event was nice.  Saw some old and new friends and we met a dog named Sushi that could be Mona's older sister.  In fact, someone else mistook Mona for Sushi.  Mona didn't care -- there was petting involved.  Mona also made a paw print painting for the fridge. 

Mona participated in the tennis ball activity where she was supposed to "choose" one either by sniffing it or picking it up in her mouth.  She opted to claim them all by laying  down on top of the entire pile.  When it came time to claim her prize, she stuck her head in the box and came up empty.  So I picked out a cute little plaid purse that squeaked.  She approved and brought it home where Xander promptly claimed it as his "man bag" and has had it with him at all times ever since.  Deus tried to take it, but Xander stood his ground.  It coordinates better with his ensemble anyway.

Anyway, I hope someone can clue me in on the police activity....

Got plans on September 7? You might want to catch the latest film from the Pgh Lesbian & Gay Film Society  -- Tick Tock Lullaby -- at the Southside Works. 

Here's the blurb ....Pittsburgh Lesbian and Gay Film Society is pleased to present Tick
Tock Lullaby on Sept 7th at the SouthSide Works Theater.  Show time
is 9:30 PM with a party afterwards.   And don't forget to join us as
a friend on MySpace.  We got a lot going on so join us!
 
Tick Tock Lullaby
Bursting with smart, tender observations on the travails of
prospective parenthood, Tick Tock Lullaby is a sharply observed three-
part exploration of sexuality and the search for sperm in hip thirty-
something London. Spot-on dialogue, dynamic cinematography and
perfect performances are the highlights of this gently unfolding
intimate portrait of one lesbian couple's struggle with whether (and
how) to have a baby.

Butch-y artist Sasha (writer/director Lisa Gornick) and her attorney
girlfriend Maya's (Brit TV phenom Raquel Cassidy) heterosexual
procreation envy are contrasted with a pair of other baby-making
stories: A single female photographer who wants a child (but not a
relationship) sleeps around with a series of young clueless guys
while her coupled sister and her boyfriend entertain doubts (and sex
and intimacy issues) as they try to make a baby the old-fashioned way.

Sasha's intimate confessions and endearing neuroses touch a lovely,
vulnerable nerve as do her tremendously thoughtful reflections on
love, sex and intimacy in this bracingly honest, beautifully made
British feature from the director of sexy rom-com Do I Love You? --
JENNI OLSON

I have to admit I'm not at my best so this will be very short (I have bronchitis). 

There's a new Lutheran Bishop in town..  And he is neither friend nor foe to the homosexual community, so he says.

Bishop-elect Kurt Kusserow of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America plans to honor a request from the denomination's national assembly to refrain from removing gay ministers who have partners, at least until the church issues a new policy on sexual ethics in 2009.

"I think that already reflects the hearts of most of our bishops," said Bishop-elect Kusserow, who attended part of last week's assembly in Chicago.

"There are pastors and members of our churches who are involved across the board in all sorts of things that are questionable in terms of church practice. What it means to be a pastor is to work with people in their difficulties. ... It is not a wise pastor who goes looking for other people's faults to weed them out."

Essentially, they are in a holding pattern until 2009 which does allow the church to continue to dialogue without current pastors living under the fear of being evicted.

Well, it is nice to see a religious leader acknowledge that there are worse things a Lutheran could do, than go with a boy or two, even if the parish-hood, thinks their trashy and no good ... but there are worse things they could do!