Sarah Palin's Hit List - 91 Books She Doesn't Want Us To Read

Sharon I have read many of them. She wants to ban Chaucer?? Lady has a lot of nerve telling me what I can read.

Are you sure?

No Anne Rice? Ann is gonna be so pi$$ed !!!!

The McCarthy era is almost back. Woot, then.

I'll just start calling her "McCarthy Palin", then. I'm appalled (again).

(and those who merely want Roe VS Wade overturned really don't care about much else - "She's one of us.")

But what about this ??? !!!

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_palin.html

Where did the list come from?

Oh for the love of Pete!! This rumor has been debunked, repeatedly. Try factcheck.org or snopes.com

Please, people, do your research before you post this stuff.

Lori - I don't like people telling me what I can and cannot read either. My parents never did that so why would I listen to a stranger whose ideas are far different from mine? And I don't see the problem with any of the books. I have heard that some people believe that Huck Finn is supposed to have some homosexual tendencies. That comes from one line where Jim was rescuing Huck after he fell into the river and said something like, "Hold onto my hand, Huck honey."

I just don't get it.

I would like a reporter to ask Sarah Palin which books she had in mind to ban, but I think this list is an internet rumor.

C A the list was fowarded to me from a woman named Teresa Hommel. She headed up the battle against unverifiable computer voting in New York state. I have no reason to doubt her accuracy.

Palin has been trying to ban books for a while. I knew this but didn't know which books she wanted gone. Many people want many of the books on the list banned, why wouldn't you think Palin is one of them? Do you actually think she would want her children to read Harry Potter? I doubt it.

"Oh for the love of Pete!! This rumor has been debunked, repeatedly. Try factcheck.org or snopes.com"

You DO love me !!!

Peter, I'm sure Anne Rice is angry that she isn't on the list. :)

C A - I looked at fact check and why would I believe their words? I could write anything I want, put it in an article and people would be calling that factual too.

I won't say that the books I listed are "facts" but the names of the books are consistant with the list of others who promote book banning.

No one has to believe the list if they don't want to. You have free choice about that and I would never try to take away the right of others to choose.

OK I checked Snopes and this list is bogus Sharon. What you have here is a list of books that are usually mentioned when someone wants to start banning books.

But that doesnt negate the fact that she inquired into banning books. We will just never know which ones she found objectionable and for what FU reason.

And Palin isnt going to come forward with a list...she know claims it was some arbitrary loyalty test she NEVER intended to ban books...ya right:(

But that doesnt negate the fact that she inquired into banning books. We will just never know which ones she found objectionable and for what FU reason.
Lori F., Sep 17, 2008, 10:16am EDT

My sentiments, exactly, Lori. It doesn't matter WHAT books, just that she had the dumbass thought to ban ANY book.

I wonder why people choose to believe one set of "facts" and not another? This question is not only asked to you but to myself too. The answer is simple, we choose to believe what we want to believe and will find the "facts" that prove our point. Happens all the time.

Like C.A. said, "Get your facts straight"........

This is not true. Please check your facts.

Did you see the picture of Laura Bush holding up the Harry Potter book.

This has all been proved a false Internet hoax some time ago.

It really doesn't matter whether or not this is the actual list of books Ms. Palin wanted to ban. The mere fact that she wanted to ban books--ANY books, ever, at all!--is utterly appalling.

"It really doesn't matter whether or not this is the actual list of books Ms. Palin wanted to ban........"

Nice liberal cop-out...........

Not a Book Burner


One accusation claims then-Mayor Palin threatened to fire Wasilla’s librarian for refusing to ban books from the town library. Some versions of the rumor come complete with a list of the books that Palin allegedly attempted to ban. Actually, Palin never asked that books be banned; no books were actually banned; and many of the books on the list that Palin supposedly wanted to censor weren't even in print at the time, proving that the list is a fabrication. The librarian was fired, but was told only that Palin felt she didn’t support her. She was re-hired the next day. The librarian never claimed that Palin threatened outright to fire her for refusing to ban books.

It’s true that Palin did raise the issue with Mary Ellen Emmons, Wasilla’s librarian, on at least two occasions, three in some versions. Emmons flatly stated her opposition each time. But, as the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman (Wasilla’s local paper) reported at the time, Palin asked general questions about what Emmons would say if Palin requested that a book be banned. According to Emmons, Palin "was asking me how I would deal with her saying a book can't be in the library." Emmons reported that Palin pressed the issue, asking whether Emmons' position would change if residents were picketing the library. Wasilla resident Anne Kilkenny, who was at the meeting, corroborates Emmons' story, telling the Chicago Tribune that "Sarah said to Mary Ellen, 'What would your response be if I asked you to remove some books from the collection?' "

Palin characterized the exchange differently, initially volunteering the episode as an example of discussions with city employees about following her administration's agenda. Palin described her questions to Emmons as “rhetorical,” noting that her questions "were asked in the context of professionalism regarding the library policy that is in place in our city." Actually, true rhetorical questions have implied answers (e.g., “Who do you think you are?”), so Palin probably meant to describe her questions as hypothetical or theoretical. We can't read minds, so it is impossible for us to know whether or not Palin may actually have wanted to ban books from the library or whether she simply wanted to know how her new employees would respond to an instruction from their boss. It is worth noting that, in an update, the Frontiersman points out that no book was ever banned from the library’s shelves.

Palin initially requested Emmons’ resignation, along with those of Wasilla’s other department heads, in October 1996. Palin described the requests as a loyalty test and allowed all of them (except one, whose department she was eliminating) to retain their positions. But in January 1997, Palin fired Emmons, along with the police chief. According to the Chicago Tribune, Palin did not list censorship as a reason for Emmons’ firing, but said she didn’t feel she had Emmons’ support. The decision caused “a stir” in the small town, according to a newspaper account at the time. According to a widely circulated e-mail from Kilkenny, “city residents rallied to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin’s attempt at out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew her termination letter.”

As we’ve noted, Palin did not attempt to ban any library books. We don’t know if Emmons’ resistance to Palin’s questions about possible censorship had anything to do with Emmons’ firing. And we have no idea if the protests had any impact on Palin at all. There simply isn’t any evidence that we can find either way. Palin did re-hire Emmons the following day, saying that she now felt she had the librarian’s backing. Emmons continued to serve as librarian until August 1999, when the Chicago Tribune reports that she resigned.

So what about that list of books targeted for banning, which according to one widely e-mailed version was taken “from the official minutes of the Wasilla Library Board”? If it was, the library board should take up fortune telling. The list includes the first four Harry Potter books, none of which had been published at the time of the Palin-Emmons conversations. The first wasn't published until 1998. In fact, the list is a simple cut-and-paste job, snatched (complete with typos and the occasional incorrect title) from the Florida Institute of Technology library Web page, which presents the list as “Books banned at one time or another in the United States.”

Update, Sept. 9: We have revised this section dealing with accusations that Palin wanted to ban books from Wasilla's library to include more detail about what transpired at the time.
This is what is posted on fact check.org. She did infact ask these people for their resignations as a loyalty test. What the heck kind of test is that??? Are we going to be asked do diassociate ourselves from America as a test to our loyalty??? Granted the list is bogus but why in heavens name would she even ask that question in the first place?? Why would you ever need to ban books from a library???

I don't think looking aside the list being bogus and being upset about her asking about banning books is a cop out at all. We on this site are not responsible for what people are posting on the Internet unless we are the originators. I agree know for certain before you fling mud but now that it has been established that the list is bogus I think we are less entitled to be upset about her asking. Nothing leftist or cop out in my opinion.

I don't think we are less entitled. See what happens when you get too excited boys and girls.

If this list came from the minutes of the Library Board, why are people disputing it?

"I don't think looking aside the list being bogus and being upset about her asking about banning books is a cop out at all"

If the list is bogus, then the actual accusation can be just as bogus........

Normally that could be true. However, Berf, the very site that you were using for your opposition of the list clearly states, as you can see in my post above, that the question was asked. Supposedly as a rhetoric or hypothetical, but truly why ask if you don't have the intentions?

Hi again Berf. News flash I did read and it still states she asked the question and asked for their resignations.

So, any further discussion about Palin "banning books" is mute.....

The real question must be "Why did she ask for Mary Ellen Emmons' resigniation?"

Sharon, I believe there's a village looking for you.

How could she "ban" the Harry Potter books when they hadn't even been published in 1996, Free-Thinking Person???

For arguments sake let's just say that the list is wrong. Do you mean to tell me that no one else has heard that Palin wants to ban certain books? Because I have heard that for a while. But when it became public knowledge that Palin wanted to ban books all of a sudden she and her supporters came out and said it wasn't true. Some of you believe it and others, like myself, believe that Palin would like to ban some books. We can all find links to support our beliefs.

Forget the list for a second and answer this: Do you want a stranger telling you what you can and cannot read? It's the same thing with her abortion stance. Do you want a stranger forcing you to have a child when you know what is best for you and your circumstance?

No one should dictate to others that they cannot do something be it read a book or choose to have an abortion.

Apples and Oranges, Sharon........

As others have said, several fact check organizations have found that no list of banned or potentially banned books exists. She never actually followed through on her queries. It really hurts credibility when we don't make an effort to check rumors before publishing them. And it certainly gives them a reason to wave their hands in the air and say "see, see, they lie too."

Having said that, she did query the librarian on several occasions about the possibility of banning books from the library. Now ask yourself, why would a mayor ask the librarian several times if it was possible to ban books? There seems no logical reason to make multiple queries "just out of curiosity." It doesn't appear as if there were massive protests in the streets from the populace (all 5000 of them) trying to get books banned and the mayor was just making sure they couldn't be successful. In fact, after the librarian was fired by Palin (hmmm) the townspeople rallied behind her and got her reinstated.

So there really is only one logical conclusion that can be drawn from the facts. Palin wanted to remove "inappropriate" books but knew it would be censorship, which generally doesn't go over well in thinking societies. She repeatedly asked the librarian just to make sure the librarian couldn't be swayed. Then she fired the librarian but was unable to get anyone more amenable into the position because the townspeople revolt forced her to rehire the original librarian.

I'm certainly open to any other logical conclusions if someone can think of one.

I'm always amazed at how some people feel they know the workings of anothers mind.
I guess they can call it ESP...very reliable

Mick what in Gods name are you babbling about? The accusations are unfounded and the list is bogus.

first people...you need to fact check...I hate caribou barbie fgor the crap she has done...not the fake stuff...believe me...she will tank..but the facts are:
She did not demand that books be banned from the Wasilla library. Some of the books on a widely circulated list were not even in print at the time. The librarian has said Palin asked a "What if?" question, but the librarian continued in her job through most of Palin's first term.
what if is scary...but that is a different subject.....

LB...your statement on LIBERALS...disqualifies..you as the very same thing...you are saying about others...facts..pal facts....you are just as guilty

LB - Palin did want books banned and just because she said "what if" was just a way for her to get off the hook and to get people like you to think that she merely asked a question. Ever have a boss who asked you a question knowing full well that the question wasn't a question at all?

And, just what is my crusade? All I did was post a list of books that Palin wanted to ban. I'm against banning books. Do you think that it's okay to ban books from others? It sounds like you do by the way you're defending Palin.

People do have beliefs and they seek out the "facts" that prove their point of view. Scientists do it all the time. They have a theory and then locate the "facts" that will back them up.

And to all of Palin's supporters - why the anger? I just posted a list of books. Why is it bogus? Simply because you don't agree with it? Even if she wants to ban one book she's wrong.

It seems to me that if people do not agree with your point of view they are wrong, and spread Internet lies, and all sorts of things. Why not allow people to have their beliefs and read the "facts" they way they see them, just like you read your facts, or are all of you for banning freedom of speech which goes hand and hand with the banning of books?

I like the discussion going on here but some of you are very angry just because I posted a list of books. You can disagree with my post and that's fine, but to say that my list is bogus sounds like an excuse to me. Why defend someone who is trying to take a basic freedom away from you? The freedom to read whatever you want to read? But then again, Palin looks like she's trying to take quite a few freedoms away from us.

I think I mis-stated...
lets see...I assume: that reason you post is-1- you want to voice your opinion- whether researched or not 2- you want to sway someone ..or at ;east make them think of something other than freaking paris hilton...
maybe iM wrong here..(it wont be the first or the last)...but I valued your opinion..even if I dont agreee with it ( maybe something lost in translation...english being my second language)...but your post was worth readin..for me at least until ...you made the accusation Liberal ...blah blah blah...for me it lost all its credibility....for me it was like me saying if your an american christian you support abortion clinic bombing....right? generalized statement...maybe some do ..but all I dont think all and when you encompass...a Rush limbaugh talking point in the middle of YOUR arguement...it made me stop at that point ..roll my eyes..and think...WTF? I have read many of your post ( I disagreee with most) but you DO have valid points..at times they make me question an opinion of mine...makes me validate my convictions..which isnt a bad thing...but I have to say my wording isnt always grand...oh who cares..what I think...am I gonna change your mind..on anything..you seem pretty determined to throw out your opinion...but thought maybe you should know Im an avid reader..but not a fan...and will probably read..your post without the same delight I had in the past...you r smart...but failed this time...sorry..its just my 2 cents...

I'm no fan of Governor Palin or Senator McCain, but I'm very disappointed when I see false rumors like this spread by either side. Democrats were quick to call foul when Senator Obama was the victim of false internet rumors.

As an Obama supporter, I am embarassed to see something like this being passed around supposedly in support of my candidate. We can do better than this.

If you read the anchorage daily news this is the story.

Palin asked the librarian on 3 seperate occassions what would happen if she were asked to remove questionable books....on each occasion the librarian stated that she would not remove books the library followed the recommended guidelines on what libraries should have.

Then the librarian was sent a letter by then Mayor Palin stating that she was being terminated.

The librarian took the matter to the city council or something like that and it was dropped.

After all this happened Palin said it was part of a "loyalty test"

Now what you want to read into it is up to you but for what its worth here are my thoughts.

There had to be some motivating factor for a question to be posed on 3 seperate occassions.

If you ask your spouse what would happen if you wanted a divorce after the 3rd time dont you think they would realize something was up? Same principle here.

No books were banned.

No list of books exist to my knowledge that Palin actually asked by name to be banned.

However Palin did put other people through this "loyalty test" and I for one just think it is strange...its like a huge mind fu*k.

I want a real VP not a game player.

Loyalty test? Oh dear gawd.....if she gets in the whitehouse..we will have the equivalent of BRownie..we will have all her pals in key positions..if seeing alaska qualifies you to be VP...imagine who she will put in there..it will be 100 times worse than Bush's picks!

Right on, Lori!

Fact or no fact it's a good book list

hmmmmm

THis is an excellent list of books! I have read inder ten so I have saved this list to start referring back to to begin reading. However, I have to seriously doubt sarah plain did this. Even so, there is a freedom of speech whether its true, slanderous or of wrongful intent anyway, thanks for the list!