The 10 Worst Books

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

awwww.......I would have given you another chance! Because you always learn from your mistakes!

That's what I thought

I also went to catholic school for a few years. But we won't get into that.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

That's what I thought

I also went to catholic school for a few years. But we won't get into that.

Me too...and it was WAY before you. And you are right. We will most definitely NOT get into that!

[mjh215]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I thought that American state schools weren't allowed to do anything "religious". Isn't there a legally-enforced separation between church and state in the US?

I think it then goes down to the difference between a white-list and a black-list... Parents feeling that the school is forcing a religious viewpoint on their child, whether it is the Ten Commandments or Harry Potter (No, I don't believe it is religious in nature, but I can't dismiss their viewpoints), have a say in the matter. Banning a book from a schools library would be wrong. Having a majority of parents having a text removed from a required reading list -for religious reasons- that they don't want their children to read isn't. Regardless of my views on the text or how I would raise my children.

-MJ

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Heh... I originally lurked in here to see if any of my books were turning up...

But now that I'm here: I'm surprised at a few mentions of A.C. Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama in here. Understanding that it's the reader's opinion, I'll just say that I loved the book, and part of the reason was because when I read it, there were no sequels, nor plans to write any. Taken by itself, Rama is a superior book. But I agree, the series itself is pretty sad. Clarke, overall, is an author people have to be into... his style is very distinctive, and not everyone is good with it.

I can't contribute much to this thread, because there are very few bad books that I've ever read (I'm careful about the books I touch)... and most of them have been blocked out by my subconscious by now. One in particular that was not blocked out was Michael Crichton's Congo... one of the few books I ever literally threw in the trash immediately upon finishing.

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

BTW I failed to mention that "Rendezvous with Rama" is in preproduction to be filmed next year.

I am appropriately scared.

[CleverClothe]

Originally Posted by bill_mchale

Sigh, you know, while I am sure that there are some who seek power for its own sake, and most of those who have power might well enjoy its use, I think it is very dangerous to believe that those who do wield power wield it arbitrarily.
--
Bill

It is still a power trip, whether they truely believe in what they are doing or not. They are trying to grab power that they should not have.

[CleverClothe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I thought that American state schools weren't allowed to do anything "religious". Isn't there a legally-enforced separation between church and state in the US?

American public schools are not allowed to "officially" endorse or repress a religion. So a school can't say a prayer over the school PA system during an official event. But the school can rent out or offer space to religous groups. Many churches and prayer groups meet at public schools during off hours.

Some Christians in our country claim that there is no prayer in school, which is totally false. Every student is within their right to pray, even in groups. Although, the school does have the power to enforce order.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by CleverClothe

American public schools are not allowed to "officially" endorse or repress a religion. So a school can't say a prayer over the school PA system during an official event. But the school can rent out or offer space to religous groups. Many churches and prayer groups meet at public schools during off hours.

Some Christians in our country claim that there is no prayer in school, which is totally false. Every student is within their right to pray, even in groups. Although, the school does have the power to enforce order.

And you can believe EVERY student prays before and after exams!

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

And you can believe EVERY student prays before and after exams!

I pray at football games.

And I'm an athiest

I usually tell God I'll do something good in the world if He just helps PSU win this game.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

I pray at football games.

And I'm an athiest

I usually tell God I'll do something good in the world if He just helps PSU win this game.

and........whats their record?

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

and........whats their record?

This season? 11-1. They ruined it for me though by losing to Iowa. IOWA! I mean, we beat Ohio State, Michigan (first time in 11 years), and we can't beat IOWA?? Seriously, I almost puked.

Plus we'll lose at the Rose Bowl (vs USC).

I wish I weren't so emotionally invested in Penn State football

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

This season? 11-1. They ruined it for me though by losing to Iowa. IOWA! I mean, we beat Ohio State, Michigan (first time in 11 years), and we can't beat IOWA?? Seriously, I almost puked.

Hey, the Gators lost one this year to Ole Miss. We can't always have a perfect season. (Except the Lions, were a perfect 0-16 this season.)

BOb

[pshrynk]

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

This season? 11-1. They ruined it for me though by losing to Iowa. IOWA! I mean, we beat Ohio State, Michigan (first time in 11 years), and we can't beat IOWA?? Seriously, I almost puked.

Plus we'll lose at the Rose Bowl (vs USC).

I wish I weren't so emotionally invested in Penn State football

***Ahem***

Being an Iowa native, I would just like to say, in all sincerity and in the spirit of productive interaction:

Bite me.

[bill_mchale]

Originally Posted by CleverClothe

It is still a power trip, whether they truely believe in what they are doing or not. They are trying to grab power that they should not have.

Who should and should not have power is one of the more interesting questions in political philosophy. In the modern context, it is based on the idea that we all have rights, some of which are ceded, wholely or in part, to the state in order to protect other rights.

The problem is, that the rights that remain always must be balanced against each other. My right to free speech can legitimately be curtailed when that speech can be seen to be do harm to others. Hence, I can't yell fire in a movie house, nor can I create or use child pornography and I generally can't provide pornography to minors. In other words, the state has a legitimate case to restrict access to those materials that might be deemed harmful to minors. The problem develops when there is a disagreement over what is and is not harmful to minors.

Like the rest of you, I don't think Harry Potter should be considered harmful, but to certain Christian groups do. When there tax dollars are being spent to provide copies of the work to public libraries or school libraries, I think they have a legitimate right to complain (though not necessarily win). And I wonder how many people would criticize a group if they tried to keep Mein Kampf out of the public schools?

I also disagree that they are on a power trip (which is exercising power purely to exercise power). I honestly think that they are fighting for what they believe in. Whether they should have such power or not, does not make the exercise of the power a power trip, only the motivation for the exercise of that power.

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by pshrynk

***Ahem***

Being an Iowa native, I would just like to say, in all sincerity and in the spirit of productive interaction:

Bite me.

Don't listen to me, I'm just bitter..

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by pshrynk

***Ahem***

Being an Iowa native, I would just like to say, in all sincerity and in the spirit of productive interaction:

Bite me.

You are so articulate!