Cindy's most recent blog drew a reaction from our readers at safelibraries.org. Safelibraries' response set me thinking, as usual. Their comment linked to an article form the Washington Times (a newspaper founded by cult leader Rev. Sung Myung Moon, of "Moonies" fame, but let's leave that for another blog.) In the op-ed piece linked from their comment, writer Thomas Sowell rants about "Banned Book Week" being another skirmish in the culture war, arguing that we librarians, especially school librarians, are either sinister mind washers or idiotic dupes of liberal overlords. Ummmmm....I don't know where this culture war is going on, but it isn't in this library. I am a conservative's worst nightmare, a gay, lefty, government employee. However, our director is a centrist married to a life-long proud Republican. Our Board of Trusties is entirely made up of members appointed by our Republican mayor finishing up his fourth term in office next year. (If you doubt my opinion of Mayor Green, read this blog.) Under these circumstances, how am I to wield the unchecked power to further my "ideological crusade?" This arrangement works well because everyone believes that we are all operating in good faith to advance the needs of the people of Kankakee. Don't you think our patrons prefer that over war?

Stephen Bertrand
Assistant Director