There’s been a lot of discussion in a different thread about the decision to pull several Dr. Seuss books from publication.

Much of the chatter seems to regard a book as “art” or “history of a certain time.”

I certainly agree. Books like “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and “Huck Finn” are examples of books that are offensive by today’s standards -- that should never be lost to readers.

What that other discussion seemingly misses – and a point that should never be missed on this site – is that books are chattel.

As chattel, the owner has the right to use them in whatever way they deem will produce the most net income for her.

Dr. Seuss was a liberal Democrat. Some of his books were based on extreme left principles.

My guess is that his books are much more popular with the left than with the right. Anti-war. Eco-friendly. Anti-racist.

Liberals read – and I assume -- buy more books than conservatives.

From a pure economic perspective, it would seem to be publisher-malpractice to NOT pull several books that could damage the left’s views of Dr. Suess.

At any rate – the hypocrisy of the right is exposed by their getting in a tizzy over the owner of a book making a personal decision about how that chattel should be used.

Last summer the mayor of Minneapolis made a decision based on life versus property. The right went crazy about the need to ALWAYS protect property -- as property represents a person’s life’s work.

Or – maybe this whole discussion is the latest bright shiny object meant to distract us from the fact that not one Republican voted for the very much wanted and highly popular covid relief package.

Or – maybe they want to distract you from the cease and desist letter Trump sent to the state Republican party chairs so that he can continue to fleece donors, without competition.

Or – maybe the Republicans need cover for their putrid, race-based voter suppression laws that they’re hurriedly enacting across the country to try to stop brown and black voters from telling the white minority what to do. When I was young, I watched the apartheid in Africa with shock and horror. And – now we have apartheid happening before our eyes in the U.S. Appalling!

Books are property. When I donate my books to Erin they become Doppler Presses property with which to do what they want, within certain ethical guidelines. I trust Erin to make wise decisions and to treat my babies with respect. But – they are her property, in many regards.

That’s how it is.

Should Erin decide to no longer publish a certain title because it might damage the image of Doppler Press -- I think we could all understand and appreciate that position.

Jill