http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/909268-196/second-book-challenged-and-removed-in-bedford.htm

See the link above for further information.

As I understand it, two months ago Bedford Resident Dennis Taylor and his wife went public with their insistence that the Book, "Nickeled and Dimed" be banned from the Bedford NH School System, as they found the language and references to Jesus offensive. After the book was pulled from the curriculum (the Superintendent told Mr. Taylor he felt a better book choice could be used to meet the curriculum needs of the class)- Mr. Taylor joined forces with Ann Marie Banfield, who is affiliated with Cornerstone Policy Research in NH. The two of them went to NATIONAL FOX news, bringing forth National attention to this issue (again- after the book had already been removed). Members of our community were chastised, by name, Nationally for using this book in our schools.

Last Thursday, Mr. Taylor demanded that the book "Water for Elephants" be banned. This book is being used in a three day ELECTIVE workshop.. Students were to purchase the book with their own money. A permission slip was sent home notifying parents that the book contained mature themes, including alcoholism, language, and sexual content. Mr. Taylor, at last Monday's televised school board meeting announced that his 15 year old son wanted to sign up for the class, and Mr. Taylor signed the permission slip without so much as a google search on the specifics of the graphic content!

The teachers had already pulled the workshop and book by Monday night's school board meeting! Why? I am sure it was because they did not want to be intimidated by national news media, the Taylor Family, and the political group that is supporting his cause. They did not want to receive hateful e-mails and phone calls.

Mr. Taylor has every right to chose what his teenagers read. Our school district has a policy in place. If a parent or student is uncomfortable with a book, they simply need to say so, and an alternative text will be offered.

Mr. Taylor should not demand that every student in the school district have to follow the same rules he applies to his family. Students reading choices should not be filtered through Mr. Taylor's political or religious filters. All parents have a right to believe in and trust their school district, and they have a right to choose if their teenager can read this book.

If you do not wish to have Mr. Taylor making choices for our school district as he states he will continue to do in the article above ("“I intend to fight every similar book that crosses my path,” Taylor said. “We need to change the false notion that a bit of garbage in a book may be overlooked if the rest of the book is fine.”) then PLEASE sign this petition. The results will be forwarded to the Bedford School Board, the Principal of the High School, and the Superintendent of Schools.

If they don't hear from us, we can expect more books will be banned, and soon. What's next? Huck Finn? Night? Scarlett Letter? Color Purple? I know why the caged bird sings? Where will it end?