Arrogant extremists threatening to cut funding for the Alpena library (shutting it down) over a few books and planned efforts to cut Alpena County school funding for similar reasons will result in significant harm to the community. Is this just a prelude to Nazi-style book burning? It appears that we are going in that direction.

I have reviewed two of the books noted in the newspaper article last weekend. These two are essentially sex education written around that age when they will be learning it in some way. Many topics pertinent to protecting them from exploitation, disease, etc. are addressed. Ignorance is allowing kids to learn sex from easily accessed porn on the internet or from creepy Uncle Ernie. We have way too many children harmed from the likes of Dr. Nasser, Jerry Sandusky, wayward clergy, etc. Ignorance is banning books to control knowledge. Parents need to step up and do their job. If they don’t want them to read these books, then don’t let them.

However, what is “disgusting, shocking and alarming,” are the political profanity displays common around the area. Flags on pickup trucks or in yards, bumper stickers in church parking lots, hats and shirts in public spaces showing profanity in front of our children. Is there any concern about this?

DALE A. FRITZ,

Alpena