But at least in class, a book is not read in a vacuum. It’s read where the Adult themes can be discussed, and the broader meaning can be explored as to what’s good, what’s bad, and to better understand life and it’s choices.
Except that the issue isn’t that THE KIDS want to read Fahrenheit 451… it’s that LES wants them to read it. (And, let’s face it, if there’s anything that will make them NOT want to read it, it’s to make it assigned reading.)
But, as with everything else in the Batiukverse, it’s all about what Best Actress Academy Award Winner Les Moore wants, everyone else gets to fall in line or suffer the consequences. (Where the consequences are having to look at that smug jerk’s face.)
Fahrenheit 451 is mild when compared to some of the transgender material getting placed in some elementary schools. Parents need to be aware of what their kids are seeing.
This is just a sad sack of virtue signaling. There’s a reason Winkerbean got cancelled and it’ll be the same reason Crankshaft is getting cancelled. No one wants to read this boring crap.
Notice what we are seeing: characters talking about stuff that might or might not happen, repeating things they ought to know by now.
Notice what we are not seeing: how Les teaches F451, what the students learn from his teaching, how they react to Bradbury’s complex critique of media succession, what (if anything) they learn and apply to their lives.
If you’re not sure about a book, read it first. Then try to figure out what you’re protecting the children from – is it knowledge? Or will it harm them. Is it another point of view? Or will it stifle them. Will they learn from it? Or will they run from it. Children need to expand their minds and read more. not less.
I read “Tropic of Cancer” because it was banned when I was in middle school (Age in excess of 75). My home library had multiple “banned” books when my Son was in middle and high school, most of them were so badly written that he refused to read them once he started. I, as you can see, do not support banning books, If more people read “Mein Kamph” by A. Hitler and “The Prince” by N. Machiavelli there would be more understanding of some of the BS being spouted on both sides.
Banned and Burning books is the act of fascism. It’s still another way of someone trying to tell others how they should live, what they should read, how they treat their own body, when they can’t manage their own lives. Censorship should not be a government function. That is a parent’s responsibility. If you don’t want to parent your kids you shouldn’t have had any, rather than getting someone else to do it for you. Mind your own business.
I didn’t read Fahrenheit 451 when I was in high school. It may have been one of the books I ordered from Scholastic Book Club but that they were sold out of. A coworker loaned me the book recently, so now I’m finally reading it.
Ironic that a book on burning books should be on the list of banned books.
(Best Actress Award Winner) Les Moore rudely turns his back on his wife while she is speaking, to present a horrifyingly prodigious and annoying smirk.
When Ed Crankshaft finally returns to the strip, I wonder he’ll get a nameplate to help the readers identify him. Will Dan Davis remember how to draw him?
wooleys2001 17 days ago
Not sure about Fahrenheit 451, but school boards and parents have a responsibility to protect the children.
Bill Thompson 17 days ago
Les, if you have to ask, you’ll never understand. Are you sure you read it?
sbenton7684 16 days ago
Yes… but not from books.
eromlig 16 days ago
Maybe it will teach them how hot to make their next book oven.
Julius Marold Premium Member 16 days ago
Last panel is spot on.
j_m_kuehl 16 days ago
But at least in class, a book is not read in a vacuum. It’s read where the Adult themes can be discussed, and the broader meaning can be explored as to what’s good, what’s bad, and to better understand life and it’s choices.
billsplut 16 days ago
Hey Les, Martin Shkreli wants his facial expression back.
Blu Bunny 16 days ago
The book details how Ed gets his grills hotter than that temperature.
nosirrom 16 days ago
When you have a book that basically says that book burning is bad you have to ban it so children don’t question why you’re burning books.
Gent 16 days ago
If only smug smirking was banned.
French Persons Premium Member 16 days ago
Of course, Batty must make sure that EVERYONE knows that Cayla is MRS. MOORE (got it??)
ksu71 16 days ago
Meanwhile back in Centerville, Kesterman is putting up another mailbox. Ed looks on thinking I’ll get this one tomorrow.
ComicsDad5 16 days ago
So, high school libraries should stock The Story of O if that’s what the kids want?
SquidGamerGal 16 days ago
There shouldn’t even be a need for a active shooter drill in the first place!!
Brian Perler Premium Member 16 days ago
Except that the issue isn’t that THE KIDS want to read Fahrenheit 451… it’s that LES wants them to read it. (And, let’s face it, if there’s anything that will make them NOT want to read it, it’s to make it assigned reading.)
But, as with everything else in the Batiukverse, it’s all about what Best Actress Academy Award Winner Les Moore wants, everyone else gets to fall in line or suffer the consequences. (Where the consequences are having to look at that smug jerk’s face.)
dvdwoods17 16 days ago
Fahrenheit 451 is mild when compared to some of the transgender material getting placed in some elementary schools. Parents need to be aware of what their kids are seeing.
Cabbage Jack 16 days ago
This is just a sad sack of virtue signaling. There’s a reason Winkerbean got cancelled and it’ll be the same reason Crankshaft is getting cancelled. No one wants to read this boring crap.
eced52 16 days ago
Amen
puddleglum1066 16 days ago
Just for everybody’s information, the response to a google query about whether F451 is banned in Ohio schools:
As of January 2024, no books have been outright banned in Ohio, though book challenges have been increasing.
So… did Les, CauCayla and the gang join retired Flunky down in Florida? Or what?
puddleglum1066 16 days ago
Notice what we are seeing: characters talking about stuff that might or might not happen, repeating things they ought to know by now.
Notice what we are not seeing: how Les teaches F451, what the students learn from his teaching, how they react to Bradbury’s complex critique of media succession, what (if anything) they learn and apply to their lives.
Yep, peak Batiuk all right.
WilliamVollmer 16 days ago
Ms. Moore’s thought does seem to be logical. But try selling it to the DeSantis crowd.
hudie48 16 days ago
This seems to me more a “political” comic than a “comic” comic. Where oh where is Crank the Man?
Lynnjav 16 days ago
If you’re not sure about a book, read it first. Then try to figure out what you’re protecting the children from – is it knowledge? Or will it harm them. Is it another point of view? Or will it stifle them. Will they learn from it? Or will they run from it. Children need to expand their minds and read more. not less.
MICHAEL GREEN Premium Member 16 days ago
Perhaps the Trial should be mandatory reading- that would be Kafkaesque
lemonbaskt 16 days ago
the comic free range did a banned book joke today and im sure hes not gonna do them for a month straight like batiuk intends to do
MuddyUSA Premium Member 16 days ago
I wonder where Crankshaft is………….
ed111db 16 days ago
I read “Tropic of Cancer” because it was banned when I was in middle school (Age in excess of 75). My home library had multiple “banned” books when my Son was in middle and high school, most of them were so badly written that he refused to read them once he started. I, as you can see, do not support banning books, If more people read “Mein Kamph” by A. Hitler and “The Prince” by N. Machiavelli there would be more understanding of some of the BS being spouted on both sides.
stoogeswoman Premium Member 16 days ago
Will this strip ever ban Les??
ncorgbl 16 days ago
Banned and Burning books is the act of fascism. It’s still another way of someone trying to tell others how they should live, what they should read, how they treat their own body, when they can’t manage their own lives. Censorship should not be a government function. That is a parent’s responsibility. If you don’t want to parent your kids you shouldn’t have had any, rather than getting someone else to do it for you. Mind your own business.
tcayer 16 days ago
Aaannndd…. Crankshaft has now become Funky Winkerbean full time.
Mopman 16 days ago
You know a character made a potential Pulitzer Prize winning observation that nobody else has ever made, when the other person gives the famous smirk.
[Unnamed Reader - 14b4ce] 16 days ago
“What do you mean by reading a book? Suppose you learn something?”
“Hailstone The Dictator”—YOU NATZY SPY—1940
[Unnamed Reader - 14b4ce] 16 days ago
In 1959, a kiddie book was banned in Alabama becasue it showed a White Rabbit and a Black rabbit being friends….
James Lindley Premium Member 16 days ago
I didn’t read Fahrenheit 451 when I was in high school. It may have been one of the books I ordered from Scholastic Book Club but that they were sold out of. A coworker loaned me the book recently, so now I’m finally reading it.
Ironic that a book on burning books should be on the list of banned books.
Surly Squirrel Premium Member 16 days ago
I wish I had Les’s job. He shows up at the school whenever he has free time away from his passion projects.
Student #1: “Say, is that Mr. Moore?”
Student #2: “Why yes it is. That’s rare. He must not be working on a book or movie about his dead wife.”
Teto85 Premium Member 16 days ago
Excellent point.
Stephen M Dallas 16 days ago
Give it up, Tom. Mary Worth will win a Pulitzer for “Dogs are great” before you will.
be ware of eve hill 16 days ago
(Best Actress Award Winner) Les Moore rudely turns his back on his wife while she is speaking, to present a horrifyingly prodigious and annoying smirk.
Classic (Best Actress Award Winner) Les Moore!
be ware of eve hill 16 days ago
When Ed Crankshaft finally returns to the strip, I wonder he’ll get a nameplate to help the readers identify him. Will Dan Davis remember how to draw him?
Ragnar Premium Member 16 days ago
We don’t have active shooter drills in our schools; we don’t need them. The School Board declared schools to be gun-free zones.
metagalaxy1970 16 days ago
I read that back in high school. It’s a VERY good book to read. And no, it wasn’t on the banned book list in the 80’s.
KenDHoward1 16 days ago
Out of the mouth’s of wise young people …
oakie817 16 days ago
amen
pamela welch Premium Member 16 days ago
Good point Mrs. Moore ♥
Strawberry King 16 days ago
If it weren’t for the Columbine shooting, schools probably wouldn’t have active shooter drills.