Book banning?

***this is an essay based on a fictional book. I wrote this for a class I had. The deal is, a hate crime was carried out, and the perpetrators tried to blame this fictional book, saying they got their ideas from this particular piece of work. The list at the top is not important, that was just something we had to do.. list 10 arguments for each side of the case. Also, the question marks all over the place.. that happened when I cut/copied/pasted, and I don't know why, and just haven't felt like going back and fixing it.. sorry...***


SPC 4930-901
March 26, 2002
Case Study #2

Arguments against banning:
1. This book was originally published in 1978; therefore it has been available to anyone who wished to read it prior to Barricade Books re-printing a paperback edition.
2. The public should not be ?kept in the dark? as to the ?extent of the menace? posed by such hate groups. This would only make it easier for such groups to commit violent acts.
3. A fictional account of a criminal act is not the same thing as an instructional manual, and should not be treated as such.
4. Restricting the publication of a novel containing potentially ?dangerous? information could lead to the suppression of other works of fiction as well, and would set a bad precedent.
5. While the Turner Diaries may pose some threats, anyone who wished to discover how to blow up a building or commit an act of violence could find the information elsewhere, such as on the Internet, if he/she was so inclined.
6. Despite the fact that this book contains information that is likely disturbing to the general public, we must not overlook the importance of learning and educating ourselves about this sort of activity. Education is crucial when it comes to making decisions, acting accordingly, and being informed of what really goes on, could go on, or will go on.
7. Racist and anti-Semitic opinions such as those expressed in the book are not in themselves subject to governmental regulation.
8. The book was already popular amongst those who share the opinions and sentiments expressed within the publication. Banning the publication of the book is only going to make it more popular and more viewed as a ?bible? to such groups of people.
9. As Americans, we have the right to choose to read this book, or not read this book. The government should not make that decision for us.
10. Barricade Books is not responsible for any action or interpretation which may result from the reading of this novel.

Arguments for banning:
1. Mainstream publication makes it easier for children to locate this book and read it.
2. Not only does the book suggest that there should be violence against the US government and certain minority groups, but it provides detailed instructions on how to obtain this goal.
3. The Turner Diaries poses a threat to national security.
4. The book goes beyond the rights of citizens to hold offensive beliefs and borders dangerously on flat-out racist propaganda.
5. Tim McVeigh used this book to execute the Oklahoma City Bombing.
6. The book poses a threat to the safety of the general public.
7. Keeping the book out of mainstream publication means that a lot of people won?t ever come across the book, thus succeeding in ?keeping the peace?.
8. The public, especially in this day and age, should not be placed in any more fear by viewing this book, even though it is entirely fictional.
9. By selling this book, it could be perceived as supporting Terrorist actions and beliefs.
10. The dangers to our collective rights and freedoms posed by banning this book are far outweighed by the possible devastation this book could potentially cause.

Essay
Upon reviewing both sides of this case, it is my decision that ?The Turner Diaries? should not be banned from public circulation. Barricade Books is not responsible for the potential outcomes of this publication, nor is it responsible for any positive or negative interpretations of the novel. As Americans, we have been granted the liberty of making decisions for ourselves and taking responsibility for our own actions. Our behavior is not to be determined by the reading of one fictional publication, nor is said publication to be faulted should we decide to execute a violent act of terror.
I will grant that the US Government has made some valid arguments. For one, ?The Turner Diaries? is an all-inclusive novel. Not only does it provide ammunition and emotional support for those groups of people who wish to commit violent acts against minority groups, but it also provides detailed, step-by-step instructions on how one can carry out their hateful goals. An example of this would be the Oklahoma City Bombing, executed by the well-known Timothy McVeigh. While McVeigh may have claimed to be ?inspired? by this book, he was not forced to commit his crimes upon reading this book. His hateful opinions and inclination towards crime no doubt existed long before he happened upon this publication. If McVeigh had not had access to ?The Turner Diaries?, perhaps his crime would have been different. However, I do not believe that any American would claim that a crime would not have occurred at all had McVeigh not read this book. Furthermore, in examining the claims of the US Government, the safety of national security and the general public could be potentially harmed if this book fell in to the wrong hands. I must point out that this book, originally published in 1978, was already popular with the underground groups of people who share the sentiments expressed in this piece of fiction. Mainstream publication of this book is doubtfully going to have any effect on the potential dangers which could be caused by it. While the possibility does exist, so does the possibility for someone to publish an on-line version, or for someone to start vocally advocating the ?wonderful? qualities of this book, thus increasing its popularity with hate groups. Possibilities are boundless, and it is not up to the US Government to step in and ban a piece of work simply because there are possibilities associated with it. There are ?dangerous possibilities? associated with nearly every aspect of American life and culture. If I were to rule that ?The Turner Diaries? should continue to be pulled from the shelves of mainstream bookstores, I would have to re-examine every publication which has ever been before me in this court. I would be setting a precedent against the rights and liberties of Americans to have freedom of speech and expression. While I do grant that this book is highly disturbing, I do not feel that anything could be disturbing enough to overthrow the basic rights given to us within the United States Constitution. It is, after all, just a book. Pieces of paper with words printed on them. Simply put, if you don?t wish to read it, you do not have to. That is what being in America is all about ? the freedom to do what you wish, as long as you do not physically harm another person. The simple act of flipping though pages of a highly offensive novel is not going to hurt someone else. If you choose to take the ideas you were given in a particular piece of work and act on them, you are acting at your own risk. The US government, or a mainstream publishing company, are not responsible for the paths you choose to take in your life. If I were to ban this book, I would be suppressing the voices of people who wish to express their opinions and beliefs. We don?t have to agree with their voices, but they have a right to make their voices heard. The Bible, for example, advocates that being gay will condemn you to a life of misery in hell, and also offers an alternative suggestion as to the origination of the universe. It goes against everything which is taught in every introductory Anthropology classroom, and turns gay people away from the concept of Christianity. In fact, the bible contains many passages that can be considered gruesomely offensive if taken out of context. I give you an example:
"Come let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. And they made their father drink wine that night; and the firstborn went in and lay with her father, and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father, let us make him drink wine this night also, and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. And they made their father drink wine that night also, and the younger arose, and lay with him, and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father." (Genesis 19:31,36)
This passage seemingly advocates incest in conjunction with alcohol abuse. The possibility exists that a Christian, church-going man could read this passage and decide that it is acceptable for him to get drunk and have sex with his own daughter. Then, when brought to face his charges in front of a court of law, could claim that the ?bible made him do it?. This example is given merely to demonstrate that there are boundless possibilities for something to be misconstrued or acted upon unwisely from any single publication. Americans are solely responsible for their own actions, and what outlets they choose to use to inspire their ideas is their right to decide.
It is not my opinion that ?The Turner Diaries? poses a threat to anyone. I rule in favor of Barricade Books, and permit the re-admittance of this novel in to mainstream circulation and publication.
(1036 words; 892 words without the quoted passage)