Free speech under siege at library

Dangers to free speech are alive and well in Aurora.

The library board president, Mr. Savage, and the mayor, Mr. Irvin should be ashamed of themselves. No principle is more foolish or dangerous than the rapidly rising notion than hurtful words are a form of violence. To put it simply, we do not have a right not to be offended. These notions lead to a stifling of criticism and ultimately to the criminalization of opposing views.

Mr. Savage said his "heart ached" when he read the words in the display. By that standard, one wonders how many of the volumes under his care can legitimately remain on the shelves. Does his heart ache from the words of Hitler's Mein Kampf, or the ramblings of other 20th century brutes like Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, and Saddam Hussein? Should we remove those too?

The mayor, not to be outdone in his zealous pursuit of political correctness, said, "the words of this display should never have seen the light of day." Oh really? Who says? You, Mr. Mayor? Who empowered you to make that decision? What other words and sentiments should not see the light of day? Is that what you are supposed to do?

In a free society, ideas compete for merit based on their cogency, evidence and ability to withstand critical thinking. I am sure Professor Miller would expect as much. Indeed if his ideas are as awful as these two modern-day Gauleiters say, then expose them to the bright light of inquiry. What are you so afraid of? There is no better way to squash bad ideas than have free people see them for what they are!

Finally, this is a public library. That means the authorities are bound by the requirements of the First Amendment. Do you know what that is, Mr. Mayor? If not you might look it up.

James McGough

Mount Prospect