Rodriguez supports suing our libraries

I attended a forum for the library board between Stacy Rodriguez and Susan Shea. Here are some of Ms. Rodriguez’s positions.

Ms. Rodriguez is in full agreement with House Bill 314, which would allow libraries to be sued if anyone finds something they deem inappropriate for minors, even in the adult section. She stated the law was very specific. But actually, the law is so broad that it covers all nudity, even in classical art and sexual descriptions in romance novels. The law allows obscenity to be “judged by the average person, applying contemporary community standards.” In other words, whoever is the loudest, and most conservative.

Ms. Rodriguez said that obscenity wasn’t allowed in libraries before now. I was in high school in North Idaho in the 1970s when the law she wants overturned was enacted by Republicans. That law was passed to keep frivolous lawsuits from paralyzing our schools and libraries. So now she is supporting a poorly written law that encourages lawsuits. Conservatives tried to ban books in Idaho when I was a student, again when my children were young, and now. This is nothing new.

Ms. Rodriguez wants to implement a California “sue the library” solution to Idaho. I support Susan Shea because I don’t want my library to be crushed by House Bill 314, which Ms. Rodriguez supports and is eager to implement.

MARY HALEY

Sandpoint