So last night I am in the mood for coffee, and subsequently find myself in a Barn&Noble sipping a Venti Mocha at 10:30pm. While paroosing the store and thinking about why X book would be a good choice even though I hardly have time to read, I proceed to head towards the childrens section. Aprox 3 min later I exit the childrens section, approch the customer service window and demand to speak to a manager.

Now I understand that some parents are nutjobs and insist in maintaining a political atmosphere throughout there home, but IMO, there should be a line drawn in the sand when it pushes boundry of liberal brainwashing.

2 books.

2 books that sat in places of honor in the 4-8yr old section. 2 books that would make there way to the bed time story shelves of hapless children who were unfortunet enough to be born under a liberal star. I almost lost it

http://www.amazon.com/Hillary-Clinton-American-Journey-Reading/dp/0448447878

http://www.amazon.com/Barack-Obama-American-Aboard-Read.../ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b

I guess things like this should be expected in the Democratic States of Liberalmarica. Or at the very least, I should have expected to see such things here in the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia.

You'd ban biographies of presidential candidates written for children?

Or just the liberal ones. Like the ones you found while paroosing?

Sorry - I'm with Jack on this one.

I would expect to also see a McCain bio as well - maybe it's there, but you didn't notice because you were fuming over those d@mned liberals?

A) There were only liberal ones
B) Yes I would ban them, expecially for that particular age group. A 4 year old really isnt picking out his/her books, so much as there parents. And political books shouldnt make it into the selection.

Apparently we live in a different time, as not too long ago, some governments would take extreme measures against writters if political messages were found in childrens books. But today we just add them to the same catagory as Cliffard the Big Red Dog, Curious George, and Dr. Suez.

Damn the Constitution, full speed ahead!

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Yes I would ban them, expecially for that particular age group.

Okay, interesting. Under what statute might that be allowed? And at what age would you allow kids to have access to political material?

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Apparently we live in a different time, as not too long ago, some governments would take extreme measures against writters if political messages were found in childrens books.

And you would advocate for our government doing that? To writters of books for children?

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Originally posted by Jack White:

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Yes I would ban them, expecially for that particular age group.

Okay, interesting. Under what statute might that be allowed? And at what age would you allow kids to have access to political material?

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Apparently we live in a different time, as not too long ago, some governments would take extreme measures against writters if political messages were found in childrens books.

And you would advocate for our government doing that? To writters?

First off, I stated that this was in my opinion, so please dont begin to start into the constitution and first amendment rights. And no, I do NOT advocate the governments involvemnent in the litariture produced for the young. That statement was to illistrate that it has not always been common practice to sobvert the young with the political mindset of the author.

The heart of this topic is "IMO" the poor taste to even create these books. Expecially for that age group. But let me ask you this: Would you be accepting of your child going to kindergardan, only to find out that the teacher has been spouting her political agenda to the children?

I'll weigh in here as someone who is about as far right as imaginable and say that I have no problem with biographical books about proposed liberals or conservatives being in the children's section. That said, I would never purchase one of these two books but I also would not purchase one on McCain or Bush at this point. I have a 9 month old daughter and someday when she can understand them, i will encourage her to read biographies on ALL influential figures in American and World History. That said, at this point, neither Hillary, Barack, McCain or any other SENATOR or congressperson has done enough in my opinion to play a large enough role in World or American history to warrant anyone below the high school or college level to read their biography.

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Originally posted by Rogers72:
I'll weigh in here as someone who is about as far right as imaginable and say that I have no problem with biographical books about proposed liberals or conservatives being in the children's section. That said, I would never purchase one of these two books but I also would not purchase one on McCain or Bush at this point. I have a 9 month old daughter and someday when she can understand them, i will encourage her to read biographies on ALL influential figures in American and World History. That said, at this point, neither Hillary, Barack, McCain or any other SENATOR or congressperson has done enough in my opinion to play a large enough role in World or American history to warrant anyone below the high school or college level to read their biography.

I can agree with that - I don't have any problems with the books being there; I rely on the parents to make reasoned and informed choices.

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That said, at this point, neither Hillary, Barack, McCain or any other SENATOR or congressperson has done enough in my opinion to play a large enough role in World or American history to warrant anyone below the high school or college level to read their biography.

I don't think a person has to have been a former President or great world leader to warrant a biography of interest for young readers, who we should hope to be inspiring. The stories of John McCain, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, for instance, are compelling ones, regardless of their political ideology; it's perfectly appropriate for kids to learn about and hopefully be inspired by the backgrounds they came from, how they succeeded in overcoming disadvantages, the influences in their lives, the experiences they had in school, and so forth.

I've been in Barnes & Noble a few times with my brothers and found the biography sections for kids to be rather well stocked and diverse. And while I've seen a fair share of books concerning liberals, they also stocked books about Ronald Reagan, Sandra Day O'Connor, and others. Perhaps the store you were visiting was particularly understocked?

Moreover, as a conservative, I'd have a real hard time accepting that a bookstore should pick and choose what books we can have access to. I'd be equally upset if the government told private retailers what they may and may not sell or make available for purchase.

There have been examples in our history of equality and balance being mandated. Without changing the subject of this thread, I don't think that is a history we want to repeat.

Please answer this Squirrel: On May 14 you spoke out about government regulation of smoking. May 14 Thread Can you explain to me how it would be any different for a book store to have a mandated balance in their biography section than it would for government to say smoking is not allowed in private homes, apartments, condominiums, &c.?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lawstudent10,

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Originally posted by Squirrel502:
Apparently we live in a different time, as not too long ago, some governments would take extreme measures against writters if political messages were found in childrens books.

The USSR (when it existed)? China? Sounds like you'd be happy there...

Yeah, line those writers up against the wall...

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Originally posted by lawstudent10:
I've been in Barnes & Noble a few times with my brothers and found the biography sections for kids to be rather well stocked and diverse. And while I've seen a fair share of books concerning liberals, they also stocked books about Ronald Reagan, Sandra Day O'Connor, and others. Perhaps the store you were visiting was particularly understocked?

Moreover, as a conservative, I'd have a real hard time accepting that a bookstore should pick and choose what books we can have access to. I'd be equally upset if the government told private retailers what they may and may not sell or make available for purchase.

There have been examples in our history of equality and balance being mandated. Without changing the subject of this thread, I don't think that is a history we want to repeat.

Please answer this Squirrel: On May 14 you spoke out about government regulation of smoking. May 14 Thread Can you explain to me how it would be any different for a book store to have a mandated balance in their biography section than it would for government to say smoking is not allowed in private homes, apartments, condominiums, &c.?

First off, I am not stating that any bookstore would be mandated by the government to stock a specific range of books, more so the simple desire of consumer supply and demand. Hence my comments regarding living in a liberal state. Concerning the various comments about biographies, I am not opposed to them. In this same B&N there were several bio's of a political nature. One can not expecet any less during a political year. HOWEVER, you are missing my point. It is not a topic concerning the validity of the books, more so as to there target audiance. Additionally, we are not talking about historic leaders, we are talking about *current* political hopefulls. So yes, I do NOT feel that it is right to have these books targeted at the extreme youth. If nothing else, I would say the 9-12 age bracket. Additionally, if you were to view the link that I posted, you would find that the only books of this nature published for children of this particular age group are for the 2 democratic hopefulls only.

As a former retail store manager, it is likely that the display choices were paid for by the publishing companies, as most large retail chains sell the display units to publishers.

Wouldn't you think that the marketing is not for a 4-8 year old but for the parent that might be shopping with the child?

Many innocent situations get blown out of proportion by someone with their own agenda, in my experience.

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First off, I am not stating that any bookstore would be mandated by the government to stock a specific range of books, more so the simple desire of consumer supply and demand.

If you read my post carefully, you'll note that I didn't suggest government was the only means by which a balance could be mandated. I think it would be equally destructive if a corporate decision to that effect was made.

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Hence my comments regarding living in a liberal state.

I'm not sure if I follow your logic here. If you believe market forces should be the factor that determines what is in stock and what is excluded, what is wrong with your discovery in the 4-8 year old section? You note that you come from California. If the liberalism is so pervasive as you make it sound, wouldn't the demand be in favor of books concerning the candidates for office. Don't you think the liberal parents of the state would want their little ones reading about the man some liberals are calling the next JFK?

And again, what is wrong with putting these books into the stream of commerce? I highly doubt 4-8 year olds are going to go to the local B&N, pony up the 5 or 6 dollars they'd otherwise spend on ice cream, and then read about Hillary Clinton or Obama. The only way a 4-8 year old is getting this book is if the parents decide they want their child to read that material. I see nothing wrong with that at all.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lawstudent10,

What's the big deal with politician's biographies for children??
If the ones there are only for liberals politicians, it's not their fault, it's the conservatives fault.

I guess they should stop selling biographies for Ben Franklin, George Washington and Ab Lincoln as well?

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Originally posted by Squirrel502:
A) There were only liberal ones

Not surprising. Surveys have shown that on average, conservative supporters tend to be relatively undereducated compared to liberal supporters, and as such it is likely that they have a corresponding higher rate of illiteracy. Thus, conservative president bios would likely have been lost on them.

Honestly I don’t know what to think regarding the comments made by some of you.

During this entire topic, the only reply that I have received is regarding civil liberties and the protection under the first amendment.

At the same time I am "trying" to illustrate the inappropriate use of political propaganda currently targeting our youth. I guess by your measure I should be happy to see this in a book store and be thankful for our first amendment rights. I will remember that same line of thinking when Big Tobacco opts to publish a line of pro-smoking books targeted for the same demographic range. Both are protected, both share the same level of poor taste.

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Originally posted by MeanWillieGreen:
As a former retail store manager, it is likely that the display choices were paid for by the publishing companies, as most large retail chains sell the display units to publishers.

Wouldn't you think that the marketing is not for a 4-8 year old but for the parent that might be shopping with the child?

Many innocent situations get blown out of proportion by someone with their own agenda, in my experience.

+1

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I guess by your measure I should be happy to see this in a book store and be thankful for our first amendment rights. I will remember that same line of thinking when Big Tobacco opts to publish a line of pro-smoking books targeted for the same demographic range. Both are protected, both share the same level of poor taste.

That's right, Squirrel. They're exactly the same. A biography of presidential candidates written for young people, and a pro-smoking book written for children by the tobacco industry. No difference at all.