Comments on: Thoughtful Thursday – Censorship or Sensibleness?

By: Caridad

Caridad — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:32:11 +0000

Yet another comment, from Salman Rushdie who said “I am very disappointed to hear that my publishers, Random House, have canceled another author’s novel, apparently because of their concerns . . . This is censorship by fear, and it sets a very bad precedent indeed.”

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:44:02 +0000

I’m obviously in the minority here, but I don’t agree that an author “has the right to write a work of fiction *and get it published*”. No one has a “right” to be published–it’s a business decision on the part of the publisher. No one is “censoring” this author–she’s free to post her book on the internet if she wishes (she just won’t get paid for it).

I think the real issue is the COURAGE of the publisher. They should have either a) told the author right away that they “weren’t interested” in her book, rather than stringing her along, or b) had the guts to publish it and defend a good work of fiction.

By: Karin

Karin — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:31:45 +0000

I am tired of being politically correct so that I don’t upset anybody. I was raised to be polite and show respect. I try to not hurt someone’s feelings. BUT, I would certainly like to have the same politeness and respect. Maybe then a good book would not have to be pulled becasue it ‘might upset a small group’

By: Caridad

Caridad — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:24:59 +0000

Here’s a response by Professor Spellberg herself at the Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121824366910026293.html

Interesting how she says she feels it was her obligation to “warn the press”.

Seems to me she should have first gone to the publisher to avoid unnecessary coverage if she was that concerned about the reaction. My two cents on it.

By: Caridad

Caridad — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:11:22 +0000

Another article with a little more from the author on the issue.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0736008820080807?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true

By: Caridad

Caridad — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:42:54 +0000

I want to thank you all for your comments. The more I considered it, the more I wondered about the professor’s reaction. My gut would have said, call the publisher and explain your concerns privately. Try to keep things from getting blown out of proportion. It would not have been, call someone with a Muslim listserv to voice my fears.

Makes you wonder.

By: jeanne

jeanne — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:05:50 +0000

I detest any form of censorship. I believe freedom of speech is our dearest freedom. How dare anyone tell another what they can or cannot say or read, Personally, I think they are the insecure ones. They think everyone has to think the same because they don’t have the confidence in their own beliefs.

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:32:47 +0000

I agree with you Caridad it makes me sad as well for all the same reasons, but I also understand Random House’s position. The likelyhood that people could get hurt or even killed. Who needs that kind of aggravation never mind the potential liability? The good news for the author is that if the book ever does reach print, with all this publicity it is likely to sell extremely well. “The Satanic Verses” illustrated that didn’t it? (I don’t really remember what the numbers were like but they must have been huge – nothing like banning a book to get people to want to read it.)

By: Fannie

Fannie — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:32:09 +0000

Score another win for terrorism. When I think about our brave men and women fighting and giving up their lives to try to stop terrorism, I get so angry at people like Ms. Spellman. Ms. Jones has the right to write a work of fiction and have it published. Shame on the publisher for giving in to terrorist. Had it not been for Ms. Spellman, no one would have even paid attention to the book except us readers. We enjoy a book for it’s ability to entertain us, not looking for anything else. We understand that it is FICTION and not intended to be anything else. She brought it national attention. With people like her, we can’t possibly win this war. That makes me sad that supposedly loyal Americans appear to be assisting terrorism within our borders. This is an outrage. She appears to have enough clout to ban any book she chooses, and we let her get away with it. America needs to wake up and realize what is going on. Sorry, I didn’t mean to get out my soapbox but this is something I believe in very strongly. I hope some publisher will stand up and get this book on the market. Ms. Jones deserves better than this. Have a great day and hugs.