ENDORSEMENT: Vote for Bauman

I would like to state my strong support for Victoria Bauman for the Board of Trustees for the Post Falls Public Library on the May ballot. Victoria supports current board efforts to conform library policies to state law prohibiting the availability of sexually explicit content in the children’s section of public libraries. Such material will be relocated to a section of the library which would require adult oversight.

I support this action which has been supported by over 70% of Idaho constituents. Although highly qualified and experienced, Victoria’s opponent would not support these current policies and indeed advocates that sexually explicit materials remain available to children maintaining that children have a right to these materials and that to deny access is a violation of children’s rights.

This opponent’s position does not represent the Idaho voting public who placed in office representatives who have instituted legislation to protect kids from what amounts to pornography. I believe the emotional and psychological crisis facing our young people today and our failing public education system is the result of too many highly educated and experienced “experts;” experts who have abandoned common sense, valid science and values that enable children to grow into knowledgeable, mature adults confident in their own self-worth and capabilities. Adults have a responsibility to protect children from damaging trauma, and yes exposure to pornography is traumatic for children. So let's keep our public libraries safe for kids, vote for Victoria Bauman as a trustee for the Post Falls Library.

KAREN JOHNSTON

Post Falls