this post was submitted on 14 Aug 2025
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I'm sure this will bubble up to SCOTUS and they'll decide that all libraries are illegal or some shit, but still maybe a little good??? For now??

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[–] bizarroland@lemmy.world 50 points 5 months ago (3 children)

I mean, I'm not the most rational person in the world, but I imagine that if you want to ban a book then every person who signs the book ban petition should also submit a five paragraph essay on the book and its contents after having read it and certify, under penalty of perjury, that they have read the book.

[–] jjjalljs@ttrpg.network 23 points 5 months ago (1 children)

One of the problems is the shitty right wing people are organized. They would have think tanks or whatever to write essays for people. (Not even considering chatgpt). Or just repeat their talking points enough that people would be able to regurgitate them.

[–] TrousersMcPants@lemmy.world 6 points 5 months ago (2 children)

They really aren't organized though, they just know how to fall in line well enough to keep up appearances. They constantly bicker and fight amongst themselves but then make sure to all push the same point when whoever is in charge tells them to

[–] IronBird@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago

that's literally what organization is

[–] jjjalljs@ttrpg.network 8 points 5 months ago

It certainly looks organized and is getting them results.

[–] altkey@lemmy.dbzer0.com 14 points 5 months ago

I find that the most comfy part of these bans is that they are also blanket bans. If each book required a scheduled open discussion (where said essay problem would show up) and a decision of a qualified third party as a result, it'd slow down their efforts by a lot.

Like with these recent itch.io and Steam bans, a bunch of concerned nobodies want to glitch through all the usual slow beaurocratic processes we face and just get it.

Maybe they should be given that framework, with next availiable hearing Nov 12 the earliest?

[–] Arthur@literature.cafe 7 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

You want to enact a poll tax???? Just kidding just kidding, I'm suffering from all the times I made this argument and a right wing individual came back with that.

[–] bitjunkie@lemmy.world 7 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I've been saying for decades now that birthright citizens should have to pass the same civics test as naturalized ones before being allowed to vote.

[–] LodeMike@lemmy.today 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Poll tests are something that work great when it's two sentences but have had abhorrent results in practice.

And this would hand over control of elections to the fed which is also a huge no-go.

[–] bitjunkie@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

Maybe the certification is federal but the actual polling places, poll workers, etc., still fall to the states? I didn't say it was perfect but ignorant people voting based on propaganda has completely fucked over the 60-65% of this country that actually support progressive policies when they're not labeled as such.

[–] KindnessIsPunk@lemmy.ca 33 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

I don't know how being on the side banning books and attacking Science wasn't enough to get people out of the increasingly absurd political """center""", there's no middle ground with fascists.

[–] danc4498@lemmy.world 10 points 5 months ago

It seems so obvious it makes me question reality. I think that’s the point, though.

Yay ! A small win for sanity.

[–] marctabyanan@literature.cafe 1 points 5 months ago

Everything these knuckleheads do goes to the SCOTUS. They do have a track record of supporting the far right. As one high school kid said... no one who bans books is ever seen as the good guy.