Perhaps it is the recent attacks on the Constitution by the Republicans in the Congress or perhaps it is a result of the continued pandering to the religious right that has emboldened our homegrown fascists. Whatever the inspiration the burn the book folks are off and running with a new bill in Alabama. As usual they don't call it censorship, it is "protecting" the children. Of course, they probably know the Supreme Court would strike it down, if it passed. But for them that is a win-win a bouquet of flowers for the religious right, and something else to complain about the Supreme Court.
Alabama Bill Targets Gay Authors
[...]Republican Alabama lawmaker Gerald Allen says homosexuality is an unacceptable lifestyle. As CBS News Correspondent Mark Strassmann reports, under his bill, public school libraries could no longer buy new copies of plays or books by gay authors, or about gay characters.
"I don't look at it as censorship," says State Representative Gerald Allen. "I look at it as protecting the hearts and souls and minds of our children."
Books by any gay author would have to go: Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote and Gore Vidal. Alice Walker's novel "The Color Purple" has lesbian characters. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/26/eveningnews/main691106.shtml