Category Archives: Freedom of Speech

Resistance Is Not Futile

Posted on September 17, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

In response to my post last week on the 10th anniversary of the American publication of Hans Fallada’s heartbreaking novel Every Man Dies Alone, TBTP reader Lincoln S. reminded me about the real life story of brother and sister Hans and Sophie … Continue reading →

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Word on the Street: San Diego

Posted on May 5, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

h/t Thomas Paine  

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A Very Timely Reminder

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

The American Library Association recently released its annual Top Ten List of Frequently Challenged Books, included in the ALA’s State of America’s Libraries Report 2019, an annual summary of library trends “that outlines statistics and issues affecting all types of libraries. Never … Continue reading →

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Perpetually Awaiting A Rebirth of Wonder

Posted on March 24, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Today is the 100th birthday of America’s most loved living poet. If you spend any time at TBTP, you have by now likely noticed my fondness for Lawrence Ferlinghetti. In fact, the first poetry books that I bought were his A … Continue reading →

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Take A Stand

Posted on February 23, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Today is the birthday anniversary of African American sociologist, historian, writer, educator, poet, scholar, and civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois. Born February 23, 1868, Du Bois was the first black man to earn a doctorate degree from Harvard University … Continue reading →

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Still Alarming

Posted on January 29, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I first discovered the science fiction novels by Ray Bradbury when I was 10 or 11 years old. In retrospect I’m certain that many of the themes of his books went way over my head. But when I read Fahrenheit 451 I … Continue reading →

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Paris Remembers

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Four years ago  this week, Paris was shocked by the terror attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. French street artist Christian Guémy, aka C215,  has paid tribute to the eleven victims of the horrific attack with a mural . At the … Continue reading →

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Yes! We Have No Bananas

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Unlike most civilized nations the United States does not deem a work to be in the public domain according to who created it (i.e. established by the death date of its creator), but rather when it was published. As you may know, in … Continue reading →

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Stand Up To Censorship

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The annual Banned Books Week this year has a new theme: Banning books silences voices. But as always, BBW focuses on raising awareness about the constant threat of censorship.

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There was only one catch

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

California-based, award-winning photographer David Fokos has an ongoing exhibition at San Diego International Airport called The Book Pages Project. This terrific show is an appreciation of “real” books in their actual physical form—paper pages, fonts, ink, layout—and the powerful contribution books have … Continue reading →

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