MAGA laws against libraries under fire

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Several large book publishers, a tiny public library and others are suing Idaho officials over a law that forces libraries to keep some books in an adults-only section if community members believe they are “harmful to minors.”
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/20 ... estrictin/

Book banning efforts have soared recent years, according to the American Library Association. Public and school-based libraries have been flooded with complaints about allegedly inappropriate books, and the efforts often organized by conservative groups such as Moms for Liberty.

In some Republican-led states, lawmakers have responded by passing laws creating new punishments - including lawsuits, fines and even imprisonment - for libraries or individuals that distribute books deemed unsuitable. Some Democratic-led states including Washington and Illinois have responded by banning book bans.

Idaho’s law took effect last year, requiring schools and public libraries to move material deemed “harmful to minors” to an adults-only section or face lawsuits. If a community member complains that a book is harmful to minors, the library has 60 days to address it or children or their parents can sue for $250 in damages. The law relies on Idaho’s legal definition of obscene materials, which includes “any act of homosexuality.”

Two students also joined in the lawsuit, including a 17-year-old from Lewiston who noted that even though he is taking college-level courses through his school’s dual-credit program, he is restricted from accessing books that he feels he needs to foster his learning. An 18-year-old student from Meridian said in the lawsuit that even though she is now old enough to check out the restricted books from her school library, it’s unclear how she can gain that access.

In these red states, this is what you get when you put uneducated narcissists power.

I am amazed in 2025 you can be jailed for simply having a public library with published books that have deemed to be banned by right wing mothers??

I've wondered how far this will go myself. I've learned very quickly that we are in a new era in The United States, and I am a little more careful about saying certain things in public or writing things online. Some of it is my own paranoia but let's just say I don't want trouble or getting taken in for questioning.

As of late, I have been reading about dictatorships and how things tend to work in one. Such as the former east Germany, Chile under Pinochet, and a couple others. In a nutshell watch your back and follow the rules.

Seems to be an ever changing landscape from the last MAGA presidency. Musk/trump seem to be promoting various medieval punishments for anyone daring to advocate civil rights through the education system. Or so it appears.

@KingKat1: People can't follow the rules if they want change. They have to rise up and fight. Strength in numbers.

Why couldn't the GOP stick with its Bush-era platform? Why their fixation on populism?

Even conservatives can see through the GOP's old platform, so pivoting from neo-conservatism to a paleo-conservative and populist platform is an attempt to respond to their concerns without addressing the root issue that causes those concerns.