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DECEMBER 14, 2006 at 11:53 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: Associated Press
In a year long battle to remove the Harry Potter books from the shelves of the Gwinnett Public Schools in Georgia, Laura Mallory, who has not read the books, may appeal the decision after it was announced
this morning that the books will stay on library bookshelves.
Ms. Mallory started her crusade in November 2005 and with constant decisions and appeals her last avenue, in which she will be able to present testimony from experts, will be the Supreme Court. Ms. Mallory believes the books foster:
... murder and greed and violence. Why do they have to read them in school? If parents wanted to get these books, they could get them in bookstores.
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Grillows Girl
Points: 2785
Miss Baltimore Crabs says:
Ha she lost ^_^ I thought that was the stupidest thing ever when I first read about her appeals... looks like HP won :D
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 11:57 AM EST
Witch
Points: 692
FizzingWhizbeez says:
Ms. Mallory needs to get a life and find something else to do with her time.
I love it when people condemn something when they know absolutely nothing about it. I think someone should force her to read the books and then maybe she'll shut up!
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 11:57 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 335
FrederickHPFan says:
This stupid women. It is just like this Christian Priest in my town who wants the books burned. I mean the only people who celebrate Christmas and Easter are Harry Potter and his friends and Christians. I read to my mother who Ron's mom made them easter eggs and they have a big Christmas dinner and now she has no problem with the books. I just wish people would read the books before they comment about them.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 11:58 AM EST
Points: 7828
Rococoed says:
She claims that Harry Potter encourages our children to practice, to quote: "... murder and greed and violence. Why do they have to read them in school? If parents wanted to get these books, they could get them in bookstores. Excuse me, but I thought that the books portrayed all of these practices in a negative light, as detrimental to the pursuit of human harmony? I must have read a different Harry Potter series from the one she has.
I'm grateful that they denied her request and have upheld the Harry Potter books. If anything, these books reinforce basic Christian doctrine such as forgiveness, selflessness, peace, harmony, love, courage, the pursuit of good, and compassion. I have no idea where she derives the idea that these books are offensive, for they are quite possibly some of the most moral material I have encountered in my literary travels.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 12:04 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1090
Octavian Petronius says:
Whatever you may believe about the Potter books they are definitely a huge part of children's literature in the present day. To not have them in a library would make that library deficient in its holdings. I think there are more important things to protect our children from than Harry Potter, a story of morals and friendship.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 12:08 PM EST
Points: 865
superduperpotter says:
How Dare anyone say that about Harry Potter. At least the now know that it takes more than that to take Potter of Bookshelves.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 12:14 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
(Moderator)
Points: 1687
jones_jj says:
This is just pure ignorance. She has not read the books at all, and really doesn't understand the underlying message of the books. Yet I have a feeling Ms. Mallory allows children to see violence on TV when the kids watch the morning news.
This is almost as bad as banning Huck Finn, and Tom Sawyer b/c of the language in the books, and the time period the books were written. Come on people what's next? We are banning literature, are we going to ban free speech? This country is slowly starting to do what the Nazis did in the early 30s by burning books. Yes this is a little harsh, but if people don't stand up to people like Ms. Mallory, that will happen next.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 12:17 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1252
Angelina blu Johnson says:
oh how cool! I would love to go to Gorgia.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 12:30 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2231
Harry's Detour says:
Please please please don't condemn something without first examing it! How can she have not read the books but then make accusations about the content? How does she know? Laura Mallory, your ignorance is showing!
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 12:32 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2076
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
The Harry Potter books will stay on the bookshelves as they should! This woman is totally ignorant when it comes to the Harry Potter stories. She has NOT even READ them. How can she make judgement on something she knows nothing about! If she read these wonderful books, she would see that it does not teach children "murder, greed and violence" it teaches children GOOD AGAINST EVIL!! Ms. Mallory is nothing but a silly fool. Next time you want to crusade for a cause - you better read up on it first.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 12:34 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1432
Vampire Slumber Party says:
The key words being "has not read the books" what an ignorant moron. Since she likes to judge things without knowing them, something tells me she owns a white pointy hood that covers her face and a white robe to go with it.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 12:43 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 385
nish929 says:
Glad she lost, though I'm not surprised.
I hate it when people say the Potter books promote evil... it's just so irritating. I mean, if they read the books, just once,,then they'd know that the books show evil in a bad light and that bravery, love, and just plain purity are important!
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 12:43 PM EST
Witch
Points: 781
deathlyhallows says:
Well... good. I mean, how stupid is it to claim such terrible and untrue things when you don't know a single thing about what you're talking about because you haven't even read the books!
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 12:47 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 401
Beruthiel says:
Realy, I hate it when people argument about something, they didn't even read. And, where does she get all the money for starting appeals and battle with lawers? And what about the time? Hasn't she got a job to do?
Honestly, I'm glad she lost!!
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 12:48 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1433
Brianna Huckpuck says:
OH NOES, HARRY POTTER MAKES PEOPLE PAGAN.
No, it dosen't. Please shut up.
Read the books, research Paganism, and then try and make your claims.
That way, you'll know you're an idiot that has no idea what your're talking about.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 12:51 PM EST
Witch
Points: 763
Green is Good! says:
What lawyer would be stupid enough to represent this ignorant wench? And how is the ignorant wench able to afford the legal fees?
And would the Supreme Court deign to hear this case? Gad, I hope not!
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 12:58 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 435
FlipperGirl says:
I just don't understand people like this. I ahve an aunt and an uncle the same way. Hoighty-toighty "Christian" folk who immediatly disdain EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING because the church deems it so. I am a church going person and I love these books. And especially to judge soomething she knows nothing about its like condeming chocolate and never have had taken a bite. These people make me fear for the future.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 1:01 PM EST
Hogwarts Psychologist
Points: 4236
Patronus Wiz says:
Greed- I am not sure I understand where greed plays into the stories. But this is a good victory for HP because the books talk a lot more about society and the importance of working together... I think the books foster a lot of positive lessons... Greed??!!
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 1:02 PM EST
Charms Mistress
(Moderator)
Points: 5162
Weesa says:
Since I live in Georgia and have 2 nieces and 3 nephews in school I'm very glad she lost. They all love HP and reading in general I would hate for something like this to make them stop reading due to fear and assumptions made by people who haven't even read the books they are condemning. No one said that her children had to read the books just because they are in the school library. I hope if she actually appeals to the Supreme Court that they inform her that her claims are utter nonsense and that the ruling will be upheld to keep Harry on the library shelves.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 1:03 PM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8934
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
I am really glad to see this. Any type of censorship of books is a very bad thing. If you don't agree with it, just don't read the book. Scary lady - she should be a character in the books.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 1:04 PM EST
Student
Points: 236
JeffHodapp says:
Societies that burn books eventually burn people. Let's end the witch hunts. I hope the ignorant people will learn to listen and accept free speech and tolerance; otherwise, the we will take a step backwards.
It sound like these people have too much time on their hands. I suggest volunteer work or a return to university.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 1:05 PM EST
Witch
Points: 763
Green is Good! says:
The best part about this is Ms. Mallory is totally ignoring her kids while she's waging her holy war, thus showing the world what a hypocrite she is. She's so desparate for attention.
I'm sure she parades around Gwinnett like she's a Martyr for the cause of righteousness.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 1:06 PM EST
Slytherin Took
Points: 3026
BladeAchilles says:
If parents wanted to get these books, they could get them in bookstores.
If people didn't want to read them, they wouldn't have to pick them up off the shelves.
Anyways, way to go Georgia! Another blow at those people who think that Harry Potter makes kids sacrifice bunnies to Satan.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 1:12 PM EST
Witch
Points: 708
Star Simmons says:
muder, greed, and violence? Ok... if parents don'e want their kids to read the books then they just have to tell them not to read them. It's not like the school is requiring them to read the books. Why doesn't Ms. Mallory read SS and then decide if they're bad?
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 1:18 PM EST
Forgetful Werewolf
Points: 14831
Patronus_Potter says:
The books should be left on the shelves.
If kids want to read them, let them.
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 1:19 PM EST
Head, Dept of Mysteries
Points: 3027
beowulf says:
And now ladies and gentlemen, we can get on with something WORTH spending time and tax-payer money on... Ms. Mallory, your 15 minutes of fame is up. Good-night!
Beowulf
Posted Dec 14, 2006 at 1:20 PM EST
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