Stupid people scare me.
@DanielMarvoloRiddle (331)
United States
January 30, 2007 3:55pm CST
They really do. The impetus for this rant comes from Laura Mallory's continued attempts to have the Harry Potter books removed from classrooms and libraries. This just astounds me. Of course, she is in Georgia, a state that stickers its Biology text books just as stickers are put on albums with "explicit content."
For a person that has admittedly not read these books, how can she claim, as she does, that reading Harry is leading in some silly way to an influx of wiccans? And how do you make the logical leap from "if we allow Harry Potter in classrooms, we should allow prayer and the Bible back in school."
HUH?
First of all, JKR's books are admittedly fiction. My constant readers will know my stance on that other book. JKR isn't insisting her books be in schools and libraries--their intense popularity makes them a necessity there. Why? Because the books are enticing kids to do this really funny thing...READ!!!
In a day and age where everyone is glued to either a computer screen or a television screen for various and sundry reasons, JK Rowling has written an instantly canonical piece of literature that is bringing joy back to reading for a new generation. The problem with this is...
And excuse me, but how is this story promoting anything at all negative? The main character has overcome the death of his parents, his godfather, his mentor, and lives with smarmy relatives that treat him like absolute garbage--yet through all of this turmoil, he has remained an incredible person.
Can't they see the story for what it is? A story about friendship, trust, perseverance, resourcefulness...
Do they see that? No they see a superficial cover of witchcraft. I'm sure most Wiccans will thank the uninformed to stop comparing what they do and believe to what JKR is writing about--they aren't remotely the same. Ask any Wiccan if they've ever been able to use the Avada Kedavra?
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I mean this lady has taken this to the state's SUPREME COURT!!! Is it really that big a freaking deal? So you don't want YOUR kids to read Harry Potter. Fine, that's your right, but don't presume to play the moral judge for everyone else's kids.
Stupid, stupid, stupid, STUPID!
Here's a thought--READ THE BOOKS!
I promise Jesus won't care.
13 people like this
42 responses
@kerjostalit (196)
• United States
30 Jan 07
I completly agree with you. I was really upset when I heard that she hasn't even read the damn books herself! I can see if she wants to stop her kids from reading them, but trying to get them banned for everyone else is just wrong.
And if you want to talk about fantasy being evil then what about Lord of the Rings or Cronicles of Narnia? This kind of crap is just ridiculous - I'm right with you.
@DanielMarvoloRiddle (331)
• United States
30 Jan 07
I know man, I know. I'm sure there are imbeciles that also try to ban LOTR and CoN, despite their very clear Christian corollaries. It hurts us, precious. It hurts us.
2 people like this
@steerpyke (396)
•
30 Jan 07
There was a movement a few years ago in California to have LOTR and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe removed from school and public libraries. The irony is that TLTWATW contains so many parallels and references to the passion, its just that some powers that be are so concerned with being holier than thou they probably have never had time to actually read and understand these books.
3 people like this
@DanielMarvoloRiddle (331)
• United States
30 Jan 07
*rolls eyes* Why don't I doubt that? Anyone with half a brain should see the connection between Asylan and Christ.
1 person likes this
@kakuemmom (859)
• Canada
31 Jan 07
I know how ridiculous book banning in 2007 oh come on. The books first came out when my oldest was 7 or 8 and it was such a big deal with so many ppl. I thought i won't judge till i read it. There was also a lady at my daughters school that didn't want it in the library. She also told my daughter in grade 2 that there was no Santa Claus so over all she was a nasty woman. Anyway i read the first book and loved it. I ended up reading it for both my kids as there bedtime story a chapter a night. We all waited for the next book to come out. I agree with you about these books have kids reading again because my oldest is now 16 and these books are ones she will read over and over. All of us can't wait for the next book to come out. I don't see what the problem is with them they are clearly fantasy. My daughter wishes there was such a place as Hogwarts though, she says she would go there in a flash. My youngest is only 4 but it won't be long before we are reading Harry Potter for bedtime this also gives me a excuse to read them all again lol. i wonder how Laura Mallory feels about Narnia, it's also fantasy but is based loosely around the bible. With the last stand being about Revelations. Bet those books are OK and lions talk and there is magic in them. HMMMMMMMMMMM
@DanielMarvoloRiddle (331)
• United States
31 Jan 07
I'm willing to bet she doesn't even know about either Lord of the Rings or Narnia
2 people like this
@rosedust82 (2066)
• Philippines
31 Jan 07
Lol. This is a good rant my friend. I understand how you feel. It really is stupid to have FICTION books such as Harry Potter banned for being too "explicit". What the heck is so explicit about it? I'm a major Harry Potter fan and have read all of JKR's books. I don't see what's all the hype about it being "bad". How in the world can it be "bad"??? She hasn't even read the books for crying out loud. Who is she to judge? There are several thousand fantasy books out in the market, why not just ban the whole lot? Why so much attention on one book? Sigh. Stupidity at it's finest.
I was reading the other threads and yes, I feel that this lady is out to get some popularity for herself. Harry Potter is one of the best fantasy books of our generation. Why deprive children the chance of enjoying something as good as this? Again, stupidity at it's finest.
@DanielMarvoloRiddle (331)
• United States
31 Jan 07
Sweetheart, that nerve gets tortured more or less daily. It refuses to snap just like that painting of Sirius' mother refuses to come off the wall.
And in case I haven't mentioned it...you rule
1 person likes this
@DanielMarvoloRiddle (331)
• United States
31 Jan 07
Thanks--this lady stomps all over my last nerve. Have I mentioned that stupid people scare me?
@rosedust82 (2066)
• Philippines
31 Jan 07
No, my friend... just now. lol. Try to stretch that last nerve out.I don't want you to age prematurely. =P
@babydolphin (536)
• Australia
30 Jan 07
I think Harry Potter is a very good book.. I have read all of them since the beginning.. instead of banning it because of witchcraft.. people should see the story behind it.. the witchcraft thing? that is just fiction.. it is to make the story interesting.. come on use a little imagination. I see instead the strong and good and very much real characters in that story.. see Harry who as you said have overcome many things.. that is just normal life (well not the witchcraft stuff) all of us needs to overcome something in our life.. and how do we go about handling it? Do we handle it with bravery and pureness of heart? or do we get scared and backed up and just give up ? Children can learn a lot from this character.. but I guess parents needs to help them see this point of view... instead of just letting the imagination run.. There is no harm in reading Harry Potter.. It is Im sure not against the bible or anything :)
3 people like this
@Lunerian (493)
• Sweden
30 Jan 07
Yeah that is totally ridiculus, and also this about wiccan that you say, I believe in a wicca-like reigion and I am a little offended here, is wiccan something bad? I don't think so! The days of state-religion are way passed.
Harry Potter is by the way just another fantasy book, and a damned good one too, but still fantasy has been around for quite some time and I hav'nt heard any complaints before.
3 people like this
@DanielMarvoloRiddle (331)
• United States
30 Jan 07
Dude I'm the last person you will hear bash Wicca. Laura Mallory is the one you should be pissed at--she's the one trying to say the Goddess is something evil.
Reread brother, I'm pointing out the magic in Harry Potter is nothing like Wicca.
2 people like this
@mcc371 (918)
• United States
31 Jan 07
I remember when Harry Potter was very popular here. My kids all read the books and when the movies came out they went to see them. JKR is a great fictional writer, These stories are all imagery, Just like the wizard of oz. I am sure all this lady is out to do is receive fame and fortune from her apprearances. If she read these books and didn't understand the storyline...She is STUPID!!!
@starr4all (2863)
•
31 Jan 07
First, I have to admit I'm in a bad mood. We are moving and things are not going as planned! So here goes...WTF? WTF? Ban Harry Potter books from school? So, does she want to ban all sci-fi and fantasy books as well? I'm so sick of these self rightious people trying to push their beliefs on others! This is ridiculous! What, are we going to start acting like the nazi's with their book burnings? I'm just flabbergasted that there are such stupid people in this world! There are more important things to be worrying about than a FICTIONAL BOOK! Thanks for bringing this to our attention!
2 people like this
@DanielMarvoloRiddle (331)
• United States
31 Jan 07
That was quite a rant my friend. Quite a rant indeed. I enjoyed it immensely.
1 person likes this
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
31 Jan 07
You are not the only one. People swear that X-Men is all about Darwinism, but that is not true. A lot of the issues talk about race, religion, sports, you name it. Harry Potter is not all about witchcraft, a lot of it is about a boy who was orphaned because of a bad wizard, and is fighting to overcome those odds. It's an underdog story. Seriously, this is what I hate about religion and Christianity, people take it too damn seriously. Stop it.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
31 Jan 07
I don't understand people like this. What are they so afraid of? I mean, children reading books about things which are clearly imaginary shouldn't harm them, and encouraging people to censor books for reasons like hers is unfair to all the parents who are just trying to encourage their kids to read any kids book.
2 people like this
@DanielMarvoloRiddle (331)
• United States
31 Jan 07
They'll say they are afraid that JKR is going to persuade people from their Christianity. No, really. That's what they'll say. Ludicrous. You'd think a person's faith would be strong enough not to be threatened by a boy wizard and his adventures.
1 person likes this
@prashanth1489 (748)
• India
30 Jan 07
lol
spot on mate
this female laura mallory is shite
lol she says she has read the books
trust me she hasnt
itseems she borrows money rather , many organisations donate to her for this effort
lmao
see it this way
she gets money from these companies
she files a case
for bannin this in the country
will she succeed
?
who cares , i bet even she doesnt care
this is that kinda female who wants popularily and some money
she gets them
thats all
and to talk abt other rumours that harry potter series helps the students learn witchcraft is completely shite too
again , at most wat can happen
a kid may go on holdin a dummy wand shoutin Expelliarmus :))
wats wrng in taht
I seriously hate those ppl who dont give a dam abt the book is
but simply make a news to get popular and earn money cos of jus blabberin somthin
:X
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
31 Jan 07
Sounds like she should become a fireman in Fahrenheit 451. For those of you who don't know it, that is the temperature at which a book will burn and it's the title of a book about a society that burns books which the fireman did.
I can't understand people wanting to ban books. I've seen some that want to ban Judy Blume and many other authors and it just seems bizarre to me. Harry Potter has some excellent morals being taught in it. On top of that kids are reading, which with everything going on is a wonderful thing to see. If she doesn't want to read them that's her choice but leave others the same choice.
Personally I'm getting really tired of people trying to control others. Wanting to ban things because they deem them to be bad for others. Let us make our own choices in life. It's called free will and we need to excercise it. We also need to hold on to it and fight for it otherwise it will be taken away. Ones like her will endeavor to try ban something unless we stand up and stop them. We cannot afford to ignore such as her because otherwise they gather like minded together and while no one is paying attention get things removed.
She can make choices on herself and what she does, let the rest of us have the same right.
1 person likes this
@DanielMarvoloRiddle (331)
• United States
31 Jan 07
Fahrenheit 451 is a fantastic comparison. But she probably wouldnt read that one either because there are firemen in it doing dastardly things--she'd miss the point there tool.
@paogutierrez (465)
• Philippines
31 Jan 07
She is ridiculous! How can she do that? I'm a fan of Harry Potter and i can't understand why she thinks negatively about the book? Am i more stupid than she is?
Wiccan belief and Harry Potter's magic are far different from each other! Maybe she's not familiar with both!
Harry Potter's fans, let's all chant against that lady: AVADA KEDAVRA! lol
1 person likes this
@paogutierrez (465)
• Philippines
3 Feb 07
Wow! Thanks! I know i'm evil but at least i got the best response! lol
@mansha (6298)
• India
31 Jan 07
well well as they say if you look for fools you will find them in thoudsands and even if you are not looking you will surely find one or two. I think only thing positive in this whole story is she is creating negative publicity but publicity for the books and even those who have not read these will be curious to find out what the books are actually aboput,lol. we in India also have our fair share of such stupid people, like those shiv sainiks who don't allow normal public to celebrate Valentine's day and likes of Sushma swaraaj who can find anything or everything offensive. and put a ban on everything on english channels they think has adult content and allow cheap songs from hindi movies to play on all the while. surley there are fools around and so many of them too.
1 person likes this
@Randync (544)
• United States
31 Jan 07
I am just tired of people trying to force their will on everyone else. The wench probabably don't even care about the issue. It's just a way to get some publicity. The sad/dangerous thing is, in todays PC world, people will go along. Some will be so scared of offending, someone that they will go along with it. We can't start banning books. One of the first things the Nazi's did was to destroy books to keep knowledge from the people.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
31 Jan 07
seems like the woman is plum crazy I havent read the books but have seen some of the movies and I think they are great for the imagination and if seeing the movie want to read the books more power to the kids. The kids need to read more than they do now a days. I think JKROWLING is a good autor and hope she keeps it up . I would like that kind of imagination to write books
1 person likes this
@iamiramadnama (421)
• Canada
31 Jan 07
Hahahha... I thought the same thing when I heard about them trying to ban Harry Potter. I also thought the same thing when I heard about them trying to ban Charlotte's Web.. and I don't even know what it's all about.. the argument I mean. Who cares that there's things in the book that could be construed as 'witchcraft' or something.. it's a book.. it's imagination... it helps people learn how to pronounce.. MY GOODNESS people.. lighten up.. I think that woman just needs to get laid.. pardon my french.
1 person likes this
@imsilver (1665)
• Canada
31 Jan 07
wow.. i'm not even sure where to begin with this one... being wiccan I can safely say that what takes place in the harry potter books isn't...
and I agree with you.. the books are fiction and they are fun.. they are getting kids reading and adults to.. lol..
and how can 1 person decide what everyone else can and cannot read? Even if that one person is a judge.. I mean, how can the courts decide that... if you don't want to read the book.. don't and as a parent I guess you have the right to decide what your child can read.. altho.. i really don't care what my kids read as long as they are reading.. i mean.. have you seen a captain underpants book? that's my son's favorite of the moment.. its mental but it gets him sitting down reading and as far as I'm concerned that's fabulous... but even that's not going to last long because i'm sure that every kid out there has at least one friend who has a copy they'll lend...
1 person likes this
