Much of the rest of the country made fun of our state. But worse, companies thinking of adding operations in Kansas questioned Kansas committment to quality education. Imagine, one ridiculous act by the state school board lead much of the rest of the country to question our schools-- at a time when most state-by-state rankings showed Kansas in at least the top 20 of all states for education.

That's why the act of one citizen board can have disasterous consequences far beyond our borders.

I bring this up because on Monday, February 19th, the Topeka-Shawnee County Library board will decide if it should gain a national reputation for censoring books. A well-meaning citizen has asked the books she doesn't like be put behind a counter. If she gets her way, if the board votes for censorship, you will find the story of how Topeka and Shawnee County censors books popping up on national news and the internet. And worse than the censorship story will be that all those media outlets will remind people about when Kansas also tried to remove science from its teachings.

If you want to stop this from happening, then you need to speak out. Make a point to attend the 4pm Monday, February 19th meeting where the library board will discuss the issue. That meeting will be held at the library.

We need to hear your voice. Leave work early to speak out against an act that will paint Kansas at backward.

Now agree or disagree, I want to know what you think. Write me here at the station, 631 SW Commerce Pl., Topeka, KS 66615; send me an email; or leave us a comment.