Earlier this week, the Oklahoma House advanced HB 4014 to the Oklahoma Senate.
Dubbed the "Entitling Nosey and Controlling Parents Act," it will give parents the power to request and obtain the school library records of their offspring. It's being pushed by right-wing folks, Evangelicals, and other controlling parent groups who want to know if their kids are reading unapproved literature that may free their minds from parental indoctrination.
Naturally, one of the big proponents of the bill is book-banning State Rep. Sherrie Conley. She's the Newcastle Karen who griped and complained that a rainbow-colored fluid appeared in a kid's comic book about a grumpy unicorn was a sign that the gay agenda is targeting our youth.
As the State House debated the bill, State Rep. Merleyn Bell of Norman asked a series of questions that basically boiled down to "Why are we doing this?" Her point was that outside of one isolated incident in Stillwater, this doesn't appear to be a major problem that requires a privacy-invading solution.
In response to the question, Sherrie proudly and boldly said "You may only see one cockroach in your kitchen, but it doesn't mean there's only one there."
The comment amused and bemused the lawmakers, lobbyists, and other capitol spectators in attendance, generating a mix of laughs, groans and chatter.