What are the Big Yellow Signs in Riggins About?

School Boards and Libraries seem to be holding on to a misconception that they are exempt from Idaho law §18-1513 re: disseminating obscenity to children. An exception for educators from criminal prosecution in §18-1517 does not amount to a void of the restraints under Idaho law. Further, EXPRESS consent to the actual explicit and harmful materials by parents – rather than a general disclaimer – is not being achieved and despite controversial “book challenge” policies, proper safeguards and restrictions are not occurring. Parents are being fleeced and children are not protected!

Boards currently have the option to draft or amend policy as desired to accommodate such matters. The book challenge policy from the ALA is full of deficiencies too great to number and seeks to allow schools to further partisan agendas with impunity. The ALA is not even a recognized authority, simply a respected resource. Rather than fashion a custom policy that implements safeguards for children that suits their community according to the “contemporary community standards” contemplated in the law, some Boards are attempting to jump on the ALA agenda bandwagon nationwide. Only a handful of schools in Idaho have done the same so far, as many are currently still contemplating the best action for their community. Yet JSD #243 essentially chose to dive right in with the ALA policy with few modifications, despite community push-back. This is the reason for the big yellow signs.

There are many issues at play, not just religious and moral beliefs and opinions – but actual scientific facts and LAW, as well as financial and community impact considerations. Boards need to be protected from litigation by either side, with clear guidance from their communities to utilize the protections of the State by adhering to a foundational authority based in Idaho law. The people need to send a clear message – protect kids and families and just say no to the A.L.A!

There are many issues at play, not just religious and moral beliefs and opinions – but actual scientific facts and LAW, as well as financial and community impact considerations.

Among other statutes, I.C. §18-1513, protects children based on ACTUAL facts that it is harmful to both the child and the community and “are contributing factors to crime and impairing the ethical and moral development of our youth.” If it is illegal to hand or sell these materials to children on the street, it can’t be printed or read in the news, on social media, and is blocked on the server from reaching the Department of Education because of explicit content, it SHOULD NOT be offered to children in schools! Safeguards exist and are accepted in society for a reason and are not deemed a violation of any right.

Allowing a “loophole” to be used to further a nefarious agenda aimed at desensitizing and grooming children, makes kids more susceptible to predators and impacts them and society more than you may realize. Please get outside your comfort zone and take a stand to make it clear that partisan politics and “agendas” are not supported by Idaho law and have no place in public schools or school libraries. Hold Educators accountable for what amounts to educational malpractice and arbitrary and amateur lawmaking!

Many mistakenly believe this is just about freedom of speech, however obscenity for children is not protected under the First Amendment (See the federal “Miller Test” – not just Idaho law). To quote one of the greatest champions of freedom in our country – Martin Luther King, Jr. – “On some positions, cowardice asks the question, is it expedient? And then expedience comes along and asks the question, is it politic? Vanity asks the question, is it popular? Conscience asks the question, is it right? There comes a time when one must take the position that it is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right.” To paraphrase – Do What is Right, Not What is Easy.

Thank you for digging into this delicate and complicated issue to find the truth and not just go on rhetoric and the prevailing narrative. Thank you for being an example to kids that adults are accountable for their own research and showing them how adults use facts to resolve differences. Here is how you can be a part of the solution and stand for kids wherever you are – 1) Share this information; 2) Stand against educational malpractice; and 3) Support legislation without loopholes.

“The time is always right to do the right thing” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

“The Impact of Pornography on Children” – American College of Pediatricians – June 2016, in part, states:

Consumption of pornography is associated with many negative emotional, psychological, and physical health outcomes. These include increased rates of depression, anxiety, acting out and violent behavior, younger age of sexual debut, sexual promiscuity, increased risk of teen pregnancy, and a distorted view of relationships between men and women.

Children under twelve years old who have viewed pornography are statistically more likely to sexually assault their peers. In sum, children exposed to pornographic material are at risk for a broad range of maladaptive behaviors and psychopathology.

https://acpeds.org/position-statements/the-impact-of-pornography-on-children

The Australian Psychological Association has added its voice to rising concern, describing the “impact on young people’s expectations of sex, sexuality and relationships [and] increases in sexual violence amongst children and young people.”

Over the past decade, we have seen a growing trend of younger children engaging in problem sexual and sexually abusive behaviors generally aimed at younger children – in other words, children sexually assaulting children… Pornography is providing too many 10-year-olds with the mechanical knowledge to violate to a*****, o***** and/or v******** penetrate younger siblings, cousins and acquaintances.

https://professionals.childhood.org.au/?s=children+and+porn

LEGALITY DOESN’T EQUATE TO MORALITY – IT IS MORE THAN JUST A VIOLATION OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS FOR SOME!

Something to consider – if we can choose any morality to follow for policy, and there is no collective will, why does what anyone says matter over another? Other principles are considered here – not just religious beliefs and morality – science!! And these principles are backed by law! Don’t be so preoccupied with whether you could, that you don’t stop to think if you should. – Jurassic Park

MORAL STANDARDS AND FREEDOM PRINCIPLES ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE!

MATTHEW 18:6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

ISAIAH 49:25 “But this is what the Lord says: ‘Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.'”

We all know what we are standing against, but it’s equally important to consider what you are standing FOR.