Davis admits book should not have been on TISD list

" Why don't we just have a book burning in the stadium? "

" Oh I see. It's a campaign move. Anyone can see through this. Reed just lost my vote. "

" 6/22/1964 - On this day in 1964 the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that found Henry Miller's Tropic of Cancer to be obscene. The Supreme Court is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is closed Saturdays, Sundays, and the federal legal holidays listed in 5 U. S. C. §6103. Unless the Court or the Chief Justice orders otherwise, the Clerk’s Office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on those holidays. If you have a problem with the decision, take it to the Supreme Court. "

" Nice that Mrs. Smith can join the conversation.....OK I am kidding. I think for a High School what would be considered obsene may be different than what the SC sees as obsene. Has anyone read part of this book? I did, only parts though, not only is it obsene, its gross.... Campaign move, maybe, but I think the voters are smart enought to figure that out. I am not in his district BTW. "

" To wrote at 10:27 nobody is calling for a book burning, but my question to you have you read any of the book. Would you allow your child to read it. Do some reasearch on Henery Miller, most critics consider his work to be pure pornographic. "

" The classic one parent enlists 4 or 5 "other parents" who objects to certain books. Therefore if a student wishes to read it and their parent doesn't mind, they are denied. Funny comment on the Supreme Court, they actually could not define what is considerd obscene in many cases brought before it. Parents can,decide if they don't want their child to read certain publications.Just simply tell their child no,but DO NOT tell the community or school they can't have it. NOW BEFORE the comments fly from those with a narrow scope of opinion, NO I AM NOT ADVOCATING PORNOGRAPHY,CHILD PORNOGRAPHY,ETC. FOR ANYONE. A few years back Colleyville-Grapevine ISD tried to ban " The Adventires of Tom Sawyer,"Huckleberry finn" and believe it or not dr.seuss 'green eggs and ham" ,someone actually objected saying it promotes eating spoiled food. Ridiculous? You bet it was. Schools are not parents. You are the parent. You decide FOR YOUR CHILD not someone elses child. If Mr. Green doesn't want his child to do an assigned reading of a book, that is his right,BUT IT IS NOT IN HIS RIGHT TO DECIDE FOR ALL CHILDREN AT THAT SCHOOL. Plain and simple. "

" Once again instead of standing up for EDUCATION, Walt Davis bows down to a parent who refuses to allow his or her children to braoaden their future through education. WAY TO GO TERRELL. You have a real winner there. "

" I dont have a problem for you looking out for your kid but I bet you they have seen worse on the internet and my space then you can imagine. Maybe whats in the book offends you but somebody else it doesnt. If you are using this as a campaign move, I promise you that you need to worry about retaining all the teachers that are about to leave and students going somewhere else. There are bigger problems. "

" It appears that Mr. Davis did what any superintendent would have done, which is call for a review of the books on the list. But after sending three kids through the TISD system, I thought the research paper was on authors, not the actual books. And did the girl get the book at the school library? I understand it came from the public library. I don't advocate reading pornography at any age. But I find it hard to believe "Tropic of Cancer" was the only Henry Miller book on the list. And that the list of available authors/books was that slim. I don't blame Mr. Reed for questioning the selection, but it seems odd that it was made so public unless he is using this as a campaign move. He lost my vote too. "

" This has nothing to do with the teacher(as the article states, the list that she/he provided had already been checked out)or Mr. Davis, nor was he at the school or the library (the last time I checked his office was not in the THS library). This has to do with a Librarian recommending a book that he/she evidently did not have any idea about. That is the person who should be "re-educated" and confronted! What Mr.Davis did was the right thing! He took care of the problem. Just as parents take care of problems at home. We don't lock our t.v.'s or computers preventing them of accidently seeing something or hearing something, but yet we address/handle a problem for our kids when it arises. Now,I am not a Walt Davis fan because of issues that he directly caused - but come on people! The librarian is the one who caused this! But, as I recall - the ones who work in the library are aids who need a job (like all of us) and are paid very small wages so what do we expect! That is the world that we live in!!!! "

" I do not agree with your hostility. I too feel this a very poor showing of yourself and is a very good idea of how you would conduct yourself as a School Board Member. Join Tracey Smith on the sidelines and listen, watch and learn with your mouth shut! "

" That should be his platform: Raising money to educate our librarians, teachers aids, school bus drivers, cafeteria workers and the janitors. They all interface with our kids everyday and are under Mr. Davis - the one who evidently caused this! NOT!!!! Mr. Reed is just another "drama queen" wanting a position AND who will probably do nothing just like Paul Smith, Lisa Smith, and Thomas Mosley!! "

" My little ones hear worse things on the school bus. "

" Just vote for Mrs. Mann she will make a good candidsate for our schools she has a good frame of mind and will listen to the people that count not the ones that just want to be heard like the Smith's and Reed's. I wish that they would just move since they are so unhappy here in Terrell. Maybe we can gather some money for a U-haul so that they can get it all at once and don't have to make several trips. "

" MTV is worse than this book. Maybe Reed should go listen to the way the kids talk to each other in the halls of the high school. "

" I have not read Tropic of Cancer but it is on my list. When I was in school (Almost 8 years ago) It was the parents choice on how we were raised, what we read, what we wear, and it seems that the school system now has more control over what our child learns then we do. If a parent does not approve of the book, then it's their choice. Not a school board. I met a mother the other day that had to shell out almost 100 dollars for school uniforms. If the school thinks uniforms are whats best then they need to pay for them. When did we the parents lose control over what's best for our children. Next they will band the book Tarzan due to the graphic way he kills his foes or Bambi because the mother dies. I WILL DECIDE WHAT MY CHILD READS! If we shelter our children to much they will rebel because I did the same thing. Of Mice and Men, very graphic but a wonderful book. We are losing OUR RIGHTS as PARENTS! I see worse on TV, Myspace, or just in a store. Wow, 1984, George Orwell knew his stuff! Shame on us for letting someone decide for us. And for the ones that don't I applaud you! "

" One more thing, I would much rather see my son with a vulgar book then a rock in his hand or a gun for that matter. I understand the matter at hand which is, is this book proper for school. Answer me this would you rather your son or daughter be at home reading this or out with friends doing what the book is about! Because if they are reading they are not out getting into trouble! The more books we ban the less likely our children will see the importance of reading. "

" When I was in high school "Where the Cagebird Sings" was required reading. It is about molestation. "

" When I was in school our district was so poor we could only afford 20 of the 26 letters in the alphabet. "

" LOL "

" Ms Burr is over the readind at the school so why did the staff take the fall and be kick out for a time NOT MS BURR Stuff roll down hill "

" As a parent, I am embarrassed by the way the whole situation has been handled. Have you looked at the list of books that have been labeled as controversial? The list is endless. Anything that offends anyone is on there. Have you looked at where the list came from? None of the people in the school that have been slapped in the face actually recommended the list originally. It came from previous administrations and teachers. I would imagine they received it from a national list of authors. Be very careful how you start censoring and laying blame. It is a very slippery slope. Another person commented on the fact that the paper is over the author, not the book. Isn't that correct? This looks blatantly political. I must admit I am embarraseed at the way the administration threw their people under the bus. What has this accomplished for the good of TISD? More controversy, more mud slinging, more adults creating discord among the students in the halls. Why not quietly go to the people and correct a mistake, not drag good people into the mud. A review of the list is in order. However, it seems very suspicious to me that out of more than 350 authors, this child chose this one author. The Bible (another controversial book-yes it is on the list) tells us to go to that person who has offended us and try to make it right before dragging in more people. Was this problem adressed to the teacher in question and the librarian? Or did we go straight to the public and cause a stir that makes TISD look bad and try to discredit people who are trying to prepare children for future success? Have a little faith! Do you honestly beleive that our teachers are deliberately recommending controversial material. A mistake was made in that list, but the greater wrong was committed by the parent for using it as a political platform and for the school district for not backing their staff. No wonder Terrell has such huge turnover every year...no one wants to work for a school that doesn't back its people. If you have never volunteered or substitute taught, you have no idea how hard it is to maintain discipline of students. Stop furthering "your political cause-your election" and look at the big picture of what you have shown our children. This isn't about an inappropriate book, it's about furthering a power hungry cause at any price. "

" To appalled I contacted Mr. Davis on this issue on Thursday I did not ask him to ban the book. Check out the Dallas Morning News Sunday Edition Metro section 13b. Davis threw another TISD employee under the bus, when he had a press release issued. The facts were not all correct. My daughter is 16 not 17, and she did not check the book out at the public library. This was not a political move. The big picture is we need more community involvment. The buck stops at the top. "

" The "big picture" is that I decide what is good for my kids. You messed up. Now you won't be on the school board. There are so many other issues that if tackled would get a more positive response from the community. How about tackling bullying? Read this forum for awhile and you will find that our kids have horrible grammar and writing. You should be thankful your daughter can read. "

" I think it is a campaign move, also. He does not have my vote either, Oh, I don't live in Terrell... What is the latest on the ?missing? girls? DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA.... I agree, be thankful your daughter can read, it could be worse.... Make it a great day! I am just passing through! "

" I happen to agree with Mr. Reed. If it were my child I wouldn't want him to have access to this type of literature in school. I DO think that the School District should be held responsible. I don't see it as a censoring issue. These are kids we are talking about...NOT ADULTS. When my children grow up and are capable of standing on their own two feet...and capable of making their own way in this world then there will be nothing I can do about it if they happen to choose to read something that I do not agree with but until then I feel that it's not only my responsibility to protect them but also the School they attend. We as parents are held responsible for our child(ren) actions but they are not with us 24/7. They also attend school....where they learn...all sorts of lil goodies. Bullying is allowed, fowl language is allowed and now this. So, Mr. Reed....I'm in favor of you stepping up and speaking your mind when it comes to your children. I don't see this as a political tactic. Mr. Reed is just doing what he feels is right for his child. If some of you out there feel that it's ok for your children to be subjected to that kind of material then allow them to read it at home under your discretion however, I do not want my children to have access to it!!! Sure, I know my kids see and hear many things on T.V. and the internet...and maybe even I say and do things I shouldn't do BUT I am there mother...I'm not part of this School District who is always blaming the parents when things go wrong. Maybe the School District is to blame as well...maybe the Distict needs to be held accountable at times...and I think that's all Mr. Reed is trying to do. The librarian might not have know what the book was about...and then again maybe she did...who knows...but who is responsible for placing her there??? Who hired her??? Who is in charge??? It's time Walt Davis takes some responsibility instead of always trying to pass the buck!!! "

" As a librarian with former ties to TISD (not as a librarian)I wonder if there are proper selection and challenge procedures in place? In my state, school libraries are required to have a challenge procedure in place that must be completed before a book can be removed. Does TISD have a written policy on challenges? Was it followed? Did the challenger read the entire book? Did a committee review the book as well and consider the challenge? If such a policy IS in place, it should be followed. If such a policy is NOT in place, it should be written and presented to the board for approval. Selecting books for young readers is a tremendous challenge. Librarians rely on professional reviews, award lists, and personal recommendations. What meets one reader's needs will not meet every reader's needs. Removing a book from the shelves is a serious step and requires serious thought. I hope TISD has given this matter the consideration it requires. "

" I dont think TISD had the book on the shelf. The student was to write about the author not that specific book. The school libarian printed out a list of titles and recommended the book in question to the student. The student checked the book out of the Public Libary. At least thats one of the stories going around. I am glad I dont have to vote for a school board spot this time. "

" If a high school student finds a book obscene and is not comfortable reading it, then they should select another one. What happens when this student goes on to college? Will she refuse to read a book her professor assigns because she finds it offensive? Yes, Henry Miller's book has sexual content but so do many other great literary works. Do we ban those as well? Should students be denied wonderful books because they may contain some subject matter that not everyone may be comfortable reading? Reading is about expanding your horizons, not launching moral crusades. "

" As a side note, when I was student at Terrell High School, I wrote a paper on another Henry Miller book. If there was a problem with "Tropic of Cancer", he has written many other fine works. "

" So, was the book part of school libary? Has the book been banned as so many are saying? Has the writer been removed from the list of who students can write about? Is the writer still able to be the subject of a report but just not that book? I still think this has been brought up because of the election. "

" The College student makes an excellent point. What if that child goes to College,and they find a book that is disturbing in the library? Better yet go to the Library of Congress,all printed publications comic books etc. are there. Its up to the individual and their children what to read, its NOT for them to decide another individuals reading material. They pay taxes as well, so that arguement is moot. Sex,wars,mayhem,"damn","hell" are all written and described in detail in the Bible,but you will never see anyone calling for it to be banned or removed in a School District or public library. The student wasn't forced to read the book as an assignmnt and then you should have asked for another selection. If this parent is running for the school board,expect the education level to be minimized,decreased,and lower taks scores. They obviously don't have much of an education themselves. "

" Get a match, lets burn the book :) "

" Yes, the college student does make a good point,,,,point being the the college student is in college...assuming the college student is an adult now....not in High School. Obviously, Mr. Reed's daughter knew that book was not something her father would want her to read....and she pointed that out to him. I am under the assumption that Mr. Reed's daughter checked out the book from the school library, but heck, I could be wrong. I'm basing my opinion as to children having the book in the school library and the school librarian recommending that specific book. I don't think that the book should be banned from public libraries...just the libraries contained within our schools. Gahlee, people you just don't have a clue now days....here's an example...one of my children, who's in the 5th grade, came home from school the other day and explained to me that one of his classmates is pregnant....FIFTH GRADE PEOPLE!!!! Wake up!!! Do our high school students really need to have a recommendation of reading "Tropic of Cancer"??? I think NOT!!! Like I stated previously, when she's 18 and out on her own...an adult...in college or whatever....then sure, I don't see the problem with her reading the book,,,but for it to be recommended reading at the age of 16....how ridiculous is that??? So say what you want to about me...but I know one thing for certain...I think people need to start worrying about moral issues rather than conforming to society. And society today seems to be morally unacceptable. To even compare "Tropic of Cancer" to "The Holy Bible" is an outrage!!! "

" One more thing,,,to Terrell Reform who thinks that "we" obviously don't have an education....WRONG!!!! Try thinking about this....For the speech about the torture stake is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is God’s power. 19 For it is written: “I will make the wisdom of the wise [men] perish, and the intelligence of the intellectual [men] I will shove aside.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where the scribe? Where the debater of this system of things? Did not God make the wisdom of the world foolish? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not get to know God, God saw good through the foolishness of what is preached to save those believing. 22 For both the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks look for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ impaled, to the Jews a cause for stumbling but to the nations foolishness; 24 however, to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because a foolish thing of God is wiser than men, and a weak thing of God is stronger than men. 26 For YOU behold his calling of YOU, brothers, that not many wise in a fleshly way were called, not many powerful, not many of noble birth; 27 but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put the wise men to shame; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put the strong things to shame; 28 and God chose the ignoble things of the world and the things looked down upon, the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are, 29 in order that no flesh might boast in the sight of God. 30 But it is due to him that YOU are in union with Christ Jesus, who has become to us wisdom from God, also righteousness and sanctification and release by ransom; 31 that it may be just as it is written: “He that boasts, let him boast in Jehovah.” Bible: New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures 1 Corinthians 1:1-31 You may want to continue reading there Terrell Reform....even YOU might learn something!!!! "

" thay should not beable to make kids read it with out parentalconsent "

" I think it would do the readers good to read other stories on the internet about this subject. The book was NOT part of the schools libary. They child was not REQUIRED to read the book. The book is not BANNED at the school since it was never part of the libary collection. It is no longer recommened reading for a high school project. I agree with the action taken. OH, whats the Bible say about slavery? "

" Slavery was part and parcel of the Holy Bible. There are many verses in the 66 books of the Holy Bible supporting SLAVERY and that was the reasons why, good, loving, caring, Church going Christians kept African Americans as SLAVES for hundreds of years. Slavery was sanctioned by Old Testament of the Holy Bible. Biblical verses such as Genesis 9:25-27, Leviticus 25:46, Exodus 21:1-6; Deut. 15:17; Exodus 21:7-9; support slavery. Moses did not condemn slavery. Jesus did not condemn slavery. In fact Jesus did not even address the issue at all, even though slavery was widespread in Palestine during Jesus' time. Slavery is even mentioned in the New Testament of the Holy Bible... During Civil War, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, said that " Slavery was established by decree of Almighty God...it is sanctioned in the Bible, in both Testaments, from Genesis to Revelation." George Washington, the father of our country, owned slaves. The great Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence owned many slaves. Patrick Henry, who said, "Give me liberty or give me death," was a slave owner. They owned slaves since they felt nothing wrong about it at all. From about 1619 until 1865, people of African descent were legally enslaved within the boundaries of the present United States by whites, American Indians and free blacks. Also, During the 17th century, enslavement of Natives was common. Many of these Native slaves were exported to other colonies, especially the "sugar islands" of the Caribbean. After 1800, the Cherokees and other tribes started buying and using black slaves, a practice they continued after being relocated to Indian Territory in the 1830s. In the American Civil War they sided with the Confederacy; their slaves were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation....Anyone with any knowledge of the Slave trade recongnizes and understands that African Kings sold out their own people to the Spaniards, who then brought the african slaves here to the United States. Since the Middle Ages, the Christian understanding of slavery has seen significant internal conflict and endured dramatic change. Nearly all Christian leaders before the late 17th century recorded slavery, within specific Biblical limitations, as consistent with Christian theology. But today, nearly all modern Christians are united in the condemnation of slavery as wrong and contrary to God's will. I admire Christians and Christianity for eradicating slavery. As Christians We should eradicate caste system, which is nothing but slavery....There ya go....a brief history on Slavery and the Bible. Oh yeah, the Bible also states....Galatians 4:1-7 - But you must realise that so long as an heir is a child, though he is destined to be master of everything, he is, in practice, no different from a servant. He has to obey a guardian or trustee until the time which his father has chosen for him to receive his inheritance. So is it with us: while we were "children" we lived under the authority of basic moral principles. But when the proper time came God sent his son, born of a human mother and born under the jurisdiction of the Law, that he might redeem those who were under the authority of the Law and lead us into becoming, by adoption, true sons of God. It is because you really are his sons that God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts to cry "Father dear Father". You, my brother, are not a servant any longer; you are a son. And, if you are a son, then you are certainly an heir of God through Christ. Amen!!!! "

" So, in 25 words or less, what is your point? "

" Where is the offering plate? did you have a point with merit on this discussion? Here is my offering for you - NO. Where has the mentality of our society led us? I come from the opinion that if you see something you do not like, you either look elsewhere or put yourself in a situation you feel better. It's a great democracy we live in, whine, whine whine or find another book. I suggest another choice if you do not like the one you originally chose. "

" To all of you shallow minded people read the entire article before you get on this site and blog. To Merry Go Round. She did not choose the book it was choose for her. "

" I think this is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard. I do not know of ANY middle school or high school student who is NOT used to anything relating to the topic of sex. I think the daughter had nothing to do with it and some prude for a parent wants to cry about it. Well, might as well pull the National Geographic as well, the tribal women barely worn anything there either. The next thing you know all classes with be taught with 10 second delays, just like live TV. I am sure some prude with figure out a way. "

" a political move? what for all the $$ he would receive for devoting his extra time into what the state is teaching his and your children??? how many people stand up reguardless of the persecution they may receive? tell me, if i made some brownies and mixed just a little poop in the brownie mix and baked them, would you eat them?? or is "just a little poop" a little too much? is it just too much poop for a child, or is it too much poop for even an adult to eat? whether it is a little poop or a lot of poop it will make you sick! lets ponder why the world is the way it is? because parents quit teaching their children right and wrong and how to read the Bible instead of what the college student has been taught by the state are "fine works" "

" hehehe, he said poop! "

" shallow minded people. "

" Let's see, there is sex, violence, vulgar language, pornography and anything else imaginable on the Internet, cable TV, video games, and in movies and music lyrics. No one is complaining about those things here. Why? Because (1)those things keep the kids busy and out of the parents way and (2)the only ones to blame for the kid's exposure to these things are the parents. A book causes all sorts of problems. Why? (1)Because the parents can blame it on the school system and (2)because the kid most likely can't even read anything but the dirty words. And can you believe that earlier commentor said "poop?" LOL "

" if you are an adult read miller; he's a great writer, but definitely not for kids. "

" How about we put this much energy into getting some decent food into these schools? Everyone who has mentioned these kids lousy grammar is right on. Bullying and violence is rampant. My son was sucker kicked in his knee, knocked to the ground and kicked in the face. How about you put this much energy into taking care of my kids safety? His name badge didn't help him. His uniform didn't help him. Making him take his coat off in the classroom didn't help him. The lousy food at the schools is more dangerous than this book. To What Goes around-I didn't know books got 5th graders pregnant. "

" The buses are more dangerous than this book. "