[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 143 (Wednesday, September 10, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H7988-H7989]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         BURN THE BOOKS PART II

  (Mr. POE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, our country takes pride in the first amendment 
right of free speech and free press, but it seems that philosophy is no 
longer applicable when it comes to criticizing certain religions.
  Random House Publishing has decided not to print the novel ``The 
Jewel of Medina'' because Islamic radicals are a bit upset. Apparently, 
American author Sherry Jones hurt some feelings by writing a fiction 
book about Muhammad's child bride Aisha. Now Random House has been 
intimidated into not publishing the book because a small radical group 
of Islamic individuals object. Random House has given in to the threats 
of the religious speech and press police.
  Author Salman Rushdie, who was threatened by these same type of 
individuals years ago because of his book, ``The Satanic Verses,'' said 
that, ``This is censorship by fear.''

[[Page H7989]]

  These Islamic radicals go throughout the world and denounce free 
speech and free press if the content is critical of Islam. Further, 
they demand censorship of the offensive material. Radicals cannot 
control and suppress the first amendment because they don't agree with 
what people say or print. Too bad book publishers have given up their 
right to a free press because now a novel offends some religious group.
  And that's just the way it is.

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