The controversy over whether it was more just to expose children to smut or to exercise censorship continues to rage in Watauga County. The subject dominated a joint meeting of the county commissioners and the school board, which was convened to discuss budget issues.
[Commissioner David Blust] argued that
The House of the Spirits offered no life lessons. “Honestly, what normal family is like this book? The Manson family, maybe, Ted Bundy? I think this is just so wrong.”[Chair Nathan Miller] said, “I don’t understand why an X-rated message is being taught to somebody who can’t go see the movie.”
[Commissioner Perry Yates] said he felt society’s priorities had been warped and needed to get back on track. . . . “This book is despicable.”
