NY writer on Davis book ban: "Kudos, you dolts"

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

All hail Alexander Nazaryan, for producing one of the most pungent chunks of white-hot sarcasm you're likely to see this week - all aimed at a Utah elementary school's decision to bar access to a children's book.

Nazaryan, who writes the books blog "Pageviews" for the New York Daily News, skewered the decision by the Davis School District to place Patricia Polacco's picture book "In Our Mothers' House" behind the library counter - after parents complained the book advocated homosexuality because it depicts two loving lesbian mothers.

Davis School District officials, according to a report by the Tribune's Melinda Rogers, have asked librarians to name other books in the library shelves with gay and lesbian characters - after what librarians see as a bad precedent of pulling objectionable books.

Calling the Davis County decision "a brave and deeply principled move that will very likely save our culture from extinction," Nazaryan went on a tear:

"Although we have been too frightened to open the book ourselves, we understand it contains deeply frightening themes hostile to the American character. These include (but are not limited to): living harmoniously with others, appreciating those who are different, filial piety, sensitivity and respect. ... Were the children of Utah to learn these lessons, it is no exaggeration to say that our nation's soul would be in danger."