Uncle Bobby under fire again

by Roger Sinasohn (Subscribe to Roger Sinasohn's posts) Aug 23rd 2008 6:00PM

Categories: Kids 5-7, 2Moms2Dads, That's Entertainment, Religion & Spirituality

Colorado librarian James LaRue has gotten another challenge to Uncle Bobby's Wedding, the book about a little girl guinea pig's concerns that her uncle won't play with her after he gets married. The idea is simple enough -- Young Chloe loves her uncle but worries that after he gets married, he won't have time to play with her any more. None of that is why parents are getting up set about the book.

The "problem" with the book is that it just so happens that Uncle Bobby is marrying his boyfriend Jamie. It's not really relevant to the plot, nor, as I understand it, is it gone into in detail, it's just sort of a part of the background of the story. Big deal. Apparently, to some, it is a big deal and that is cause to want the book removed from the library shelves. After the first challenge, LaRue wrote an intelligent, sensitive response that explained why, in spite of (or even perhaps because of) the reasons for the challenge, the book would remain on the shelves.

Well now a second challenge has come along, this time asking that the book be removed because gay marriage is illegal in Colorado. Once again, LaRue responds in an intelligent, polite manner -- something I'm not sure I would have been able to do. He points out that it is not specified where the story takes place, whether it is in Colorado, in Massachusetts (where the author hails from), or even "in a wholly fictitious universe with its own laws." Yeah, like one where guinea pigs talk and wear clothes and get married? Ya think?

Of course, if we were to follow that line of reasoning -- removing books that depicted illegal acts -- we'd have to get rid of the mysteries, the adventures, the newspapers and news magazines... heck, most of the library would be empty. We'd even have to pull the bible off the shelf because, last time I checked, murder and incest are still illegal most places.

Via Mombian

Comments (118)

Reader Comments (Page 3 of 6)

buckshot 8-23-2008 @ 7:09PM

The writer of this article clearly has an agenda, you can barely read it because it is so chocked full of illogical argumentation, straw man arguments, and downright childish thinking. The fact of the matter is our nation is a nation of laws, laws that were founded on Gods truth. This country needs a revival, not 2nd grade logic packed behind a homosexual agenda. Badly done sir, badly done indeed.

Uly 8-23-2008 @ 11:14PM

"The fact of the matter is our nation is a nation of laws, laws that were founded on Gods truth. "

Oh? Which gods would that be, then?

buckshot 8-24-2008 @ 1:19AM

The God of the bible, the book that our nation was founded on and the ten commandments that are written on the walls of the supreme court.

Uncle Roger 8-25-2008 @ 8:31PM

I'm not sure what straw man you're referring to... unless you mean my extension of the challenger's argument to include other works, including the bible? If so, how is that a straw man? The person who presented this challenge did so on the basis of the book depicting an illegal act. So, since I'm quite sure no Christian would want to be a hypocrite, I have to assume that the person intends to expand their challenge to include all books that depict an illegal act.

Okay, so what books include crimes? Well, mysteries come to mind first. All those murders, break-ins, etc. They're right out. The newspapers regularly feature stories about crimes, local, national, and international. And what about that famous book, the Bible? There's Lot and his daughters (incest), Ammon and his sister (incest and rape), and all those first born sons (minus Moses) getting murdered. And I would imagine that crucifixion would be considered cruel and unusual punishment.

But maybe we don't have to completely ban the bible... we could just put it away behind the librarian's desk where kids can't get at it and adults have to sign their name to look at it? Fair compromise?

buckshot 8-25-2008 @ 11:44PM

You sir are falling prey to yet another common logical fallacy, this time the "slippery slope" theory. You take one small issue and add all the possible "what ifs" that could possibly come from it, but i'll try to wade through all that to get to whatever solid ground you may have stumbled on. The fact of the matter is that if a children's book was written about a couple that was involved in incest or molestation there would be an outcry, obviously. why? because it is illegal and not appropriate for young readers. Do i have a problem with murders or homosexuality in adult literature? absolutely not. you bring up such instances in the bible, but if you look at the children's bibles that are on the bookshelf at the library they focus on themes of the bible that are understandable for children, the full text is available in the adult sections. However this book was a direct attempt to push the homosexual agenda into a target audience it was not appropriate for. like it or not gay marriage is illegal in 99% of this country and is under court battles where it is. To throw a book for children that contains an illegal, immoral act into a library that is funded by taxpayers is not only unwise, but unethical.

Hephaestion 8-23-2008 @ 7:12PM

Actually it is incorrect to say gay marriages are illegal in Colorado. Gay couples marry in Colorado every day and there is no legal obstacle to doing so. What the author should have said is that gay marriages do not have LEGAL RECOGNITION which would provide all the benefits of legally recognized marriages.

A'sMOM 8-24-2008 @ 9:41AM

I am going to go out and buy several copies of this book as gifts. It sounds like a wonderful way to entertain children and help them not only understand that changes in like (ie a beloved uncle's marriage) are normal, and do not change the love which is represented by the play time; but will also continue their education. They will learn that every body is not the same, but that all are equal, and should be accepted and respected.

Gays are a part of God's plan, and have existed not only in the human population, but in all other animal spieces as well since the beginning of time. It is not a choice, not immoral, not unnatural, and NOT WRONG. It just is, and as soon as everyone becomes aware and accepting it will seem that way to all adults and our lucky children.

My thanks to the author and the librarian, and to each person who makes the life of a GLBT person better by their acceptance!

ARWENNOV68 8-23-2008 @ 7:16PM

ENNIE... get help, dude. I hope your post was a joke. If not then you are obsessive compulsive and probably a hermit besides. Get yourself into intense counseling at your church, or mental health facility. You are dealing with post traumatic stress disorder, which can lead to obsessive compulsive tendencies.
GET HELP IMMEDIATELY!

babybounce28 8-23-2008 @ 7:29PM

This is crazy. I am a whole-hearted Christian and God is my all. But for his sake, people I personally don't support it, but I don't discriminate. And to JETCHARTER1, abnormal? Give me a break. Discrimination against homosexuals is just like discrimination against african americans- which I happen to be, hispanics, jews, asians, etc.- its still discrimination. On another note- what child is going to automatically assume that 2 male cartoon guinea pigs cannot be together? If anyone against this book being on the shelves listens to Katy Perry's I Kissed a Girl, you should have a problem with that song as well. May praise go to anyone who's not afraid to stand up and acknowledge being different.

ANDRE 8-23-2008 @ 7:17PM

AGANDA AGAIN! THGE TIME HAS COME TO GET THE WORD "GAY" BACK TO MEANING HAPPY NOT HOMOSEXUAL! I'AM TIRED OF THE GET THE KIDS IN CHILDHOOD PLOYS OF THE "GAY ACTIVISTS" BY HAVING THESE BOOKS!

LaceButterfly 8-23-2008 @ 7:18PM

Amen to steven marks. It's nice how the liberal agenda is considered A-OK by the media and by certain people posting on here...but anything conservative or, God forbid, Christian is immediately boycotted and complained about. There can't be double standards. No one should be imposing their beliefs on others...and little kids are no exception.
Not everyone believes that homosexuality is ok. That agenda should not be force fed to kids who are looking to read an innocent story book about guinea pigs. :P Let's keep our political opinions to ourselves and not poison kid's books and minds with this obscene, perverted GARBAGE.

Messed Up Mama 8-23-2008 @ 7:48PM

LaceButterfly, No one is forcing anyone to read this book. The librarian is only trying to prevent anyone from forcing someone to NOT read the book. If you don't want to read it don't, if you don't want your children to read it, then keep track of them and don't let them read it. If you have children, it's your responsibility to make sure they read only what you want them to read not the library's. Their responsibility is to offer as wide a variety of books as possible, so that we all have a choice in what we read.

There are plenty of books that promote the Heterosexual-Christian life style, there are plenty of books that promote the radical Christian belief system, and I'm sure that library has them available to any who wish to read them.

No one is trying to force you to do anything, however YOU are trying to force people to do what you want them to do. In this case, you are trying to force a librarian to remove a book and you are trying to force all children NOT to be able to read it.

I find it interesting that when people call for equality and tolerance people like you want to whine and complain that you are being discriminated against because your "right" to treat people with intolerance and bigotry is being pushed aside.

Messed Up Mama 8-23-2008 @ 8:06PM

Lacebutterfly, No one is forcing anyone to read this book. The librarian is only trying to prevent anyone from forcing someone to NOT read the book. If you don't want to read it don't, if you don't want your children to read it, then keep track of them and don't let them read it. If you have children, it's your responsibility to make sure they read only what you want them to read not the library's. Their responsibility is to offer as wide a variety of books as possible, so that we all have a choice in what we read.

There are plenty of books that promote the Heterosexual-Christian life style, there are plenty of books that promote the radical Christian belief system, and I'm sure that library has them available to any who wish to read them.

No one is trying to force you to do anything, however you are trying to force people to do what you want them to do. In this case, you are trying to force a librarian to remove a book and you are trying to force all children NOT to be able to read it.

I find it interesting that when people call for equality and tolerance people like you want to whine and complain that you are being discriminated against because your "right" to treat people with intolerance and bigotry is being pushed aside.

Uly 8-23-2008 @ 11:14PM

Forcefed?

Who's reading these books? I know I never check a book out of the library without flipping through it first to make sure it doesn't contain anything I consider objectionable. How stupid do you have to be not even to do that?

Take your oh-so-righteous indignation elsewhere and trade it in for some sense, thanks.

fanny 8-23-2008 @ 7:21PM

Steven Marks: "it promotes unnatural acts, crimes against nature and a crime in the eyes of God!" True as it is, I have to agree with ARWENNOV68 when they bring up judgment and "Yes there are things that are hard to deal with, but God sees ALL sin the same. Including the sin of passing judgment on another. If you believe that being homosexual is so great a sin that they will have to answer to God for it, then you will be standing right beside them, by judging. God judges all in the end." I am a happily married Christian woman with two children of my own. I would prefer they not read this book. I have taught my children that every one is different and that although it is hard, we are not supposed to judge each other. Right on Arwennov68!

kelly roloff 8-23-2008 @ 7:22PM

live and let live

Melissa 8-23-2008 @ 7:31PM

first of all the librarian was a man not a woman. Second it isn't up to you to judge anyone we are all going to be judged when it is our time!! I salute him for sticking to his beliefs because it is all we have and when we go with what we know or believe in then we are doing ourselves good. I would like to have my children read this book I then could explain things to them as they have questions and not wait till they learn some stupid crap from ignorant people!!!!!

CeCe 8-23-2008 @ 7:37PM

If you don't check the book out the child can't read it, can he? A little parental control, which is so sadly lacking in many parents these days, might just control the situation.

Mark 8-23-2008 @ 8:10PM

Costa Piperakis: How do you feel about telling children that there's some supreme being in the sky who condemns you to eternal suffering when you masturbate? Or better yet, indoctrinating children as christians before they can speak? Morality predated christianity. So did homosexuals, get over it.

By the way the article makes a great point about other "illegal" acts in children’s books such as theft, violence, and murder - shouldn't we ban these books as well? Unless I’m mistaken, a few people are murdered in the Harry Potter books, granted by magical spells in a fictitious world. But in this Uncle Bobby book, two males are getting married, granted they're actually guinea pigs in a fictitious world - isn't that different? (satirical tone)

pbhj 8-23-2008 @ 7:40PM

@ ARWENNOV68

>>> "Isn't passing judgment on another person considered a sin?"

It's a common misconception, but "no".

For example, Jesus says that the person who is sinless is free to stone the woman caught in adultery (as was the law under the old covenant, before Christ's sacrifice) - that turns away the people, but then he instructs her to "sin no more".

People say "remove the plank from your own eye", but the Bible actually says to do that first, the implication being that we should be introspective and tackle our own sins and then help those around us caught in sin.

FWIW.

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