Alright, it's back to the dictionary.
Ban: 1. "To prohibit" [which in turn, has a secondary meaning of "to prevent; hinder"]. How are these two NOT trying to "hinder" the sales of Coulter's books? How can these two clearly say that is precisely what they are trying to do, and then you come along and say, "Well, they're not exactly trying to hinder or prevent sales"?
Secondly, under that same definition of ban my Webster's adds, "especially officially." This goes back to my last post. Are these government reps acting officially according to their government offices, or are they acting as private citizens? In this case, they are using their governmental platforms to initiate an official campaign.
Thirdly, my Webster's has a "fourth" meaning to the word, "ban": "strong public condemnation." Now, tell me, how can these Jersey pols give a "strong public condemnation" of Coulter's book, and then you come along and tell me, "No, they're not giving a strong public condemnation" of Coulter. (You know something about this word that Webster doesn't?)
Finally, "ban" and "banish" are European-derived words ("ban" from the Old English word bannan and banish from the Old French word banir). In other words, these words are old relatives even if they are not direct descendents. To "banish" means "to exile; to drive away." These Jersey pols are indeed seeking "to exile" Coulter's book to another state, "driving away" sales in the process.
insane dictionary placemarker