This has certainly been a thought provoking thread. I, also, am thankful that we have the political and social freedom to have an opportunity for this discussion.

I earn my living as a jail librarian. I work with inmates, both adults and juveniles in detention. I also work with correctional officers. Not only do I work with officers, but I consider some of them my friends. It has been interesting to me to read the variety of opinions on this subject.

I can certainly understand what circumstances influenced the writing of this song, and others like it. I don't condone the lyrics, but I understand the frustration and rage that birthed it. I don't believe that this should have anything to do with the decision to censor it. Unfortunately, in this case I think that's exactly why this song has been targeted for censorship. It's aimed at a population that has traditionally been associated as white, male, middle class. I don't hear about censoring songs that target women as objects of torture, rape and murder. Or gays. These songs, which are no more and no less despicable, are out there, too.

However, I really don't care why a song was written, or why it is selected as a candidate for being censored. As a librarian and as a proponent of intellectual freedom, the proposal that our government "should" silence something written by a member or members of our society scares me.

I would like to hear more from those of you who are proposing this song be censored regarding how that is to be done. Who is the person or persons who will choose what voices to silence? How is that person/group chosen/appointed to do this job? What would be the proposed criteria for judging the material and determining whether it meets with approval or with censorship?

Jon W., I think you are on to something with your earlier statements about the two groups: gangs and cops, and the chasm that lies between. Ironically, however, many times there is a mighty thin line between those that are kept and their keepers.

Rosebrook