[Dimensio]

Some analogous questions are in order here: If your public school librarian, who is by the way a government official, told you that he or she had removed certain conservative books from their library and was mounting a campaign for school, public and private libraries to do the same thing elsewhere, would you describe this campaign as an attempt to ban the offerings of this book, or would you label it as "free expression"?

I would describe the campaign as an attempt to ban the book, as evident by her action of removing it from the libraries. Whether her campaign constituted further actions toward a ban would depend upon the method of campaigning: if she were merely requesting that other libraries do the same, I would not see it as campaigning toward a ban; if she were lobbying for an offical policy of removing the book, then I would see it as campaigning for a ban.

The distinction I make is: Is the person using their elected or appointed platform as an 800-pound gorilla, or are they using private resources to do so?

Unfortunately, the article gives no context, so I am unable to make such an evaluation in this scenario. If the legislators in question are using public money to make their statement, then I agree that their actions are reprehensible.

[Colofornian]

If the legislators in question are using public money to make their statement, then I agree that their actions are reprehensible.

Number one, this joint statement is on the Web. It was released by James Sverapa IV, Press Secretary for the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office. Go ahead, call him (609/292-7065) and ask if this was a taxpayer-billed press release (it was). This release clearly is tied to the official capacities in which the following titles and (taxpayer-paid) phone numbers are listed: The press release advises media, etc. to "Contact: Assemblywoman Quigley (201) 217-4614 Assemblywoman Stender (908) 668-1900." What? Do you think Quigley and Stender fund their own offices? Do you think Quigley and Stender pay themselves for being state legislators? They think this is part of their taxpayer job description.

So are you defending them?

BTW, a reference to the pols' joint statement was posted on the front page of the "Assembly Democratic Majority" of New Jersey.