Palin Book Banning Smear Still Circulating On CNN

Vanity | 09/1`2/2008 | Me

[pjsbro]

CNN Transcript, 09/12/2008:

KOCH: Plucky is a compliment but when I say she [Palin] scares the hell out of me, I use one illustration. There are others. Of her allegedly, according to "The New York Times," it's in dispute but "The Times" has not retracted, that she went to the library in the town of which she was mayor and she told the librarian she'd like to have certain books censured.

COSTELLO: I think that has been disputed and we have found it's not true.

KOCH: No. It's been disputed -

COSTELLO: It's not true.

KOCH: But "The New York Times" has not retracted.

COSTELLO: But we have found it's not true.

Commercial Break.

COSTELLO: OK. We want to clarify because it was a spirited conversation that I had with Mayor Ed Koch, he was talking about Governor Sarah Palin asking the librarian to ban some books and it is true that she did ask the librarian to do it but the librarian refused to do that and Governor Palin did not order the librarian to ban any of those books. So I wanted just to clarify so we were all on the same page. We'll be right back.

[pjsbro]

Just unbelievable BS

[Fred]

Alaska Attorney, Branchflower, investigating Palin, Compromised

[FlingWingFlyer]

Obviously, the people at CNN don’t know how to “surf” the net. I can’t believe they want to be one of this country’s sources for news. Those people at CNN are dumb! REALLY dumb!

[Robert A Cook PE]

Still false: Sarah asked the librarian ABOUT what books HAD BEEN BANNED elsewhere (nationwide), and what was the criteria IF any books were to removed from the shelves in Wasilla.

Karen started this false story (deliberately misleading the actual “first story” with HER impressions and faulty memory.)

But, CNN is too stupid to actually research. They are only capable of repeating what other agencies report: See how FERVENTLY Koch used the “NY Times did not retract the story” excuse.

[pjsbro]

The problem is they do surf the net, but all the MSM BS conceals the true facts.

This is an amazing story, because the NYT never actually reported that SP tried to actually ban "some books", but only quoted librarians saying SP asked about the policy of removing books.

So Koch is saying that he believes the NYT reporting something they never reported!!

[waus]

Here’s the link to the Wasilla press release that states no books were banned:

http://www.cityofwasilla.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=516

[waus]

Just in case, here it is:

CITY OF WASILLA
•Office of the Mayor•
290 East Herning Avenue • Wasilla • Alaska • 99654 ·7091
• Telephone 907·373·9055 • Fax 907·373·9096 •
We at the City of Wasilla have received many emails and requests for information about “banned or censored” books at the Wasilla Library while former Mayor Palin was in office. We have no records of any books being “banned or censored” ever.
Below is the policy to request reconsideration of library materials:
Reconsideration Requests of Library Materials
In accordance with the Wasilla Public Library Collection Development Policy, the library, “…strives to achieve a balanced collection of materials in the major information categories, as well as a fiction collection calculated to satisfy the widest possible variety of tastes. All viewpoints and opinions on controversial subjects will be represented whenever possible… Wasilla Public Library recognizes the right of every citizen to read and gather information, and his or her right to freedom from censorship by other persons. Many books are controversial and any given item may offend some persons. However, selections for this library will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the material in relation to the building of the collection and to serving the interests of all readers. This library holds censorship to be a purely individual matter and declares that – while anyone is free to reject for himself books and other materials of which he does not approve – he cannot exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom of others.”
The Library conducts a systematic process whenever a Matanuska-Susitna Library Network cardholder requests the reconsideration of an item in the library collection. The first step in the process is the patron speaking with the library director, who listens to the patron concerns and explains how materials are selected for the library’s collection. It is the policy of Wasilla Public Library that all challenged materials remain in circulation until a final decision is reached and a challenged item may go through the reconsideration process only once within a twelve month period.
Our records indicate the following actions requested by library patrons:
Year of Challenge
Item Challenged
Result
1986
Angel Dust Blues by Todd Strasser
Creation of “Young Adult” section in library and placement of item in section
1986
Bumps in the Night by Harvey Allard
Remained on shelf
1997
Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
Remained on shelf
2005
America (The Book): A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction by Jon Stewart
Remained on shelf
2007
The Abduction by Mette Newth
Remained on shelf
Thank you for your interest in the Wasilla Public Library policy.
Mayor Dianne M. Keller

[Skooz]

B-U-M-P everyone’s accusing me

[singfreedom]

This is just incredible. It was a conversation Mayor Palin had with the librarian. During which the subject of “book banning” came up. The Mayor asked the librarian if she would ever consider removing a book from the collection, to which the librarian replied “No”. With that, the conversation ended. A couple of years later, for unknown reasons, the librarian resigned.

This is the story as reported on FOX. Their source was located in Wasilla. I do not remember the source's name.

[singfreedom]

It sounds as if Mayor Koch was the DUMBEST!

[bpjam]

at least KOCH said that this rumor had been debunked. And yet nobody wants to believe that actual official source in Wasilla. They would rather believe the rumor because it would just be TOO GOOD to check.

Now, if only they could get a decent rumor out there about her having had an abortion while she was in college or killed a puppy.

[piytar]

God, don’t even joke about that (not the killing puppy one). I can already see the NYT using your post as a “reputable conservative source” saying she did. NOT KIDDING.

[bpjam]

I’m waiting for that one to happen actually. Cuz a mistake that obvious could be turned on them big time.

The attacks on Palin are backfiring on them so bad. All those ‘youth voters’ they are counting on don’t like the trash talk and Obama is basically proving that their prior trust in him was misplaced since he is just like everybody else who is willing to smear, lie and spin to win it all.