<= Previous | September Issues Index | Next =>
Your Quotes for 13 September 2005 - Censorship

On this day in 1943, US Postmaster General Frank Walker ordered Esquire magazine to show cause why its second-class mailing privileges should not be revoked, culminating a three year campaign by the political appointee to amend the moral tone of America's magazines. Like most attempts at Censorship, this one made the its sponsors look silly and foolish, right up to the unanimous Supreme Court ruling in Esquire's favor three years later.

Censor: a self-appointed snoophound who sticks his nose in other people's business.
     - Bennett Alfred Cerf, 1898 - 1971

Censorship, like charity, should begin at home, but unlike charity, it should end there.
     - Clare Boothe Luce, 1902 - 1987

We live in oppressive times. We have, as a nation, become our own thought police; but instead of calling the process by which we limit our expression of dissent and wonder censorship, we call it concern for commercial viability.
     - James Russell Lowell, 1819 - 1891

I'm going to introduce a resolution to have the postmaster general stop reading dirty books and deliver the mail.
     - Gale W. McGee, 1915-1992, Senator from Wyoming

If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries. These libraries should be open to all - except the censor. We must know all the facts and hear all the alternatives and listen to all the criticisms. Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty.
     - John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 1917 - 1963

They can't censor the gleam in my eye.
     - Charles Laughton

Would you like to see quotes like these in your mail tomorrow morning? Our 10,000 loyal subscribers hate to miss a day, perhaps you should sign up now! No cost or obligation, just be open to the enlightenment waiting for you among our 22,500+ quotes.