No, We Don't All Have to be Friends... But It's Okay

Kickin' it a la Fahrenheit 451 style, from today's Memphis news (the Commercial-Appeal aka Comical Appeal).

Seems we're back on banning books-- this time it's Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men."

Apparently, a few parents have issues about the profane language and the theme of the story. Okay, fair enough but here's where my rant begins.

Bob Dole spoke out against music he had never listened to, I hear angry folks calling Howard Stern to let him know how offensive show is; and they know it because their pastor told them so, not because they actually listened to the show. And parents at Fayette-Ware Comprehensive High School are pissed about a book that they claim they've never read; they mere skimmed through it and saw some foul language.

Now, I don't mind folks forming intelligent, well-researched opinions and disagreeing with me, but I do have a problem with folks who get their data out of Reader's Digest then go on a crusade.

We don't know how to research or question any longer. We have a few generations of folks out there who have no clue how to think scientifically or critically and base beliefs on the latest blog they've digested. And the phucked up part is that this type of mentality is completely accepted.

So, hate the book and protest it. That's great. But at least turn the pages and read the thing first.