So, they're theoretically pronounced M-air-ee (Mary), M-eh-ree (Merry), and M-aah-ree (Marry)?

Yes.

One of my cousins lived in Western Massachusetts until he was 6, and then his family moved to California. His school put him into speech therapy because they thought he couldn't pronounce the letter R.

So, they're theoretically pronounced M-air-ee (Mary), M-eh-ree (Merry), and M-aah-ree (Marry)?

I can make the distinction if I really, really try, but it's more trouble than it's worth.

I had a camp counselor once named Merry, and we used to spend hours sitting around the cabin going "Mary....Merry....Mary....Merry...Mary..." to see if anyone could hear the difference. What we found out was that we all thought we were pronouncing them differently, but in reality, nobody else could hear it.

Kiddleeiveytoowooodenchew?

My old tag line!

So, I click on the challenged books link to get some new reading material and find this:

"Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson, for offensive language and occult/satanism.

WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?!? Now, it's been a while since I read the book, but I think there's one "damn".

From the article:

"I was flabbergasted," Hartsell said. "My child is not old enough to understand something like that, especially when it is not in our beliefs."

I really hate this stance. A while ago in Australia there was a kerfuffle on talk back radio about a renovation show that featured a male gay couple. People were calling up and saying things like "It's on at 6pm when my kids are watching, why should I have to explain homosexuality to them?". Well, it's a part of our reality as human beings and your job is to teach them about reality, even the bits you don't agree with. That's a). And b), at least have the courtesy to treat your kid like a human being and explain to them why this lifestyle choice is against your beliefs rather than simply pretending it doesn't exist.

Please note, I'm not a parent so I may be being extremely naive here.

The Hartsells said they are keeping the book until they get assurances it won't be circulated.

The arrogance of this just floors me.

From the Challenged list:

"It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris, for homosexuality, nudity, sexual content and sex education. (italics mine)

Wouldn't want that, would we!

ETA: I'm really surprised that The Amber Spyglass isn't on that list. Also, I second the WTF? on Bridge to Terabithia.

The arrogance of this just floors me.

I'm tempted to invite myself to their home to review their literature, to make sure none of it offends my beliefs.

Not that I'd do it, but I can only assume from their statements that they woudn't object if I did. Equal treatment for all, and all that.

Not that I'd do it, but I can only assume from their statements that they woudn't object if I did.

Oh, I think it's a pretty sure bet they'd object, very likely with a gun.

On a different note, from this morning's Toronto Star: Chick lit invades Ireland.

This is probably going to raise some hackles, and that isn't what I'm trying for here, but as a writer who doesn't write chick lit, that "Hyperion pays $1M for US rights" really depressed me. I know, it's market, bottom line, it ought to sell and earn out, yada yada, but for fuck's sake, how much money should popcorn be worth? This particular books sounds, not only like popcorn, but like lite popcorn, with artificial caramel flavouring. And she's completely untried, nothing to base that number on in the US market yet.

I'm just going to hope it earns out, so that Hyperion can buy more books from other writers. Le sigh.

I'm really surprised that The Amber Spyglass isn't on that list.

I think most of those list-compilers don't actually read the "offensive" books. I think they go through them looking for certain key words or something.

People were calling up and saying things like "It's on at 6pm when my kids are watching, why should I have to explain homosexuality to them?"

This is an issue where I'm a bit divided. See, I believe that parents should have the right to raise their children according to their religious beliefs. At the same time, I think it's really, really stupid to try to shelter a child from everything that has the parent might see as confusing, frightening, offensive, different, etc.

I also think the parents have the right to tell their child thay they are not allowed to read a certain book or watch a certain program. At the same time, what they don't have is the right to forbid other peoples' children from reading or watching the offensive material.

Tricky stuff.

I'm with you Anne. And I think parents do have a responsibility to explain how things in the world fit into their moral framework. I would disagree with people who use a book about gay people to explain to their kids that homosexuality is a sin and gay people will rot in hell, but I wouldn't disagree with their right to do just that. But you can't "protect" your kids from the world.