LABELS: Assign with caution

In a recent letter to the editor, Community Library Network chair Rachelle Ottosen accused local community members of using Nazi tactics in promoting a “big lie.” (The irony here is deep and I will return to that.) The “big lie” is that Sheriff Norris stole library books. Let’s examine the source of that alleged lie.

In a Sept. 27, 2023, Coeur d’Alene Press article, the Sheriff is pictured holding two CLN library books. The Sheriff is quoted as saying that he had gone to the Post Falls library twice and the Hayden library once. On one of those occasions, he brought a video camera. Norris believes that the two books were inappropriate for minors. When asked if he would be returning the two books, he said “no.” He would buy them before returning them. 

It would appear that the source of the “big lie” is the Sheriff’s own words and actions.

As I said, the irony in Ottosen’s accusation is deep. One of the first groups that actual Nazis began to persecute were homosexuals. The so-called Clean Books for Kids group, which strongly influences the CLN board majority of Rachelle Ottosen, Tom Hanley and Tim Plass, lists 700 books that ought to be removed. Nearly half of the books made the list because of LGBTQ characters or themes. Actual Nazis are infamous for book banning and burning. The CLN board majority is re-writing the Materials Selection Policy and Withdrawal Policy with the clear intention of banning books. Perhaps Ottosen should be more circumspect in assigning labels to community members.

MICHELLE LIPPERT

Post Falls