Speaking of cool, regular readers know that I don't think censorship is. Needless to say, I was upset to read this New York Times account supposedly documenting attempted censorship in the local library by Sarah Palin when she was newly elected Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.

Shortly after becoming mayor, former city officials and Wasilla residents said, Ms. Palin approached the town librarian about the possibility of banning some books, though she never followed through and it was unclear which books or passages were in question.

Ann Kilkenny, a Democrat who said she attended every City Council meeting in Ms. Palin's first year in office, said Ms. Palin brought up the idea of banning some books at one meeting. "They were somehow morally or socially objectionable to her," Ms. Kilkenny said.

The librarian, Mary Ellen Emmons, pledged to "resist all efforts at censorship," Ms. Kilkenny recalled. Ms. Palin fired Ms. Emmons shortly after taking office but changed course after residents made a strong show of support. Ms. Emmons, who left her job and Wasilla a couple of years later, declined to comment for this article.

In 1996, Ms. Palin suggested to the local paper, The Frontiersman, that the conversations about banning books were "rhetorical."

I'm puzzled over the fact that in this 1997 news account, there is no mention of library "censorship." Rather the issue at the base of the quarrel seems to have involved merging the library and the museum:

City librarian Mary Ellen Emmons will stay, but Police Chief Irl Stambaugh is on his own, Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin announced Friday. The decision came one day after letters signed by Palin were dropped on Stambaugh's and Emmon's desks, telling them their jobs were over as of Feb. 13.

The mayor told them she appreciated their service but felt it was time for a change. ''I do not feel I have your full support in my efforts to govern the city of Wasilla. Therefore I intend to terminate your employment ...'' the letter said.
Palin said Friday she now feels Emmons supports her but does not feel the same about Stambaugh. As to what prompted the change, Palin said she now has Emmons' assurance that she is behind her. She refused to give details about how Stambaugh has not supported her, saying only that ''You know in your heart when someone is supportive of you.''

The three met briefly at Wasilla City Hall Friday afternoon, and Palin called them twice at Stambaugh's home before making the decision.

Palin said she asked Emmons if she would support efforts to merge the library and museum operations. Emmons said she would, according to Palin.
The actions have caused a stir in Wasilla, a town of about 4,600. City Councilman Nick Carney, who has been an outspoken critic of Palin, said he received several calls at his home Thursday night and Friday from outraged citizens.

The sudden personnel shift is part of bigger problem of mismanagement in the city, he said, and may prompt a recall petition.

And why isn't Emmons available for comment? Before I put any trust in the story I'd like to hear something from Emmons, and not hearsay from a third party who hasn't been verified but who's described in an email as having attended meetings.

From the looks of this news account, it's quite possible that the "censorship" claim involved a theoretical discussion which never was the basis for firing anyone, was never implemented, and was exaggerated.

* Palin Asked City Librarian About Censoring Books, Insisted It Was 'Rhetorical.' In 1996, according to the Frontiersman, Wasilla's library director Mary Ellen Emmons said Palin asked her outright if she could live with censorship of library books. Emmons said, "This is different than a normal book-selection procedure or a book-challenge policy. ... She was asking me how I would deal with her saying a book can't be in the library." Palin said in response, "Many issues were discussed, both rhetorical and realistic in nature." [Frontiersman, 12/18/96]

I don't like censorship of any sort, and I'm very quick to condemn it. (Hence this post.) But as even the Times admits, this does not involve censorship, but a discussion over the possibility of censorship. An elaborate insinuation based on a discussion, supplemented by an unverified quote apparently taken from a viral email. Surely the Times can come up with a better hit piece than that.

This does not mean that the possibility of censorship does not concern me. In fact, there's a lot more going on than the mere possibility. There's the reality.

Seriously.

What about the fact politicians and parents all over the country are constantly and routinely censoring the Internet, and few complain?

"Electronic book burning" is what it's being called. Nothing theoretical or rhetorical about it. Personally, I consider it an abomination that 95% of public libraries use such technology.

But hey, at least it's not 100%... I do want to be fair to everyone.

My suggestion is that we let all those whose children's libraries have never installed electronic book burning Internet filters cast the first stone at Sarah Palin.