Ah. Alunan nada nostalgia terdengar di sudut kamar puspa. Cemari yang tak muni lagi itu memanggil masa kecil yang dirindukannya.Ah. Hampir 15 tahun, hari-hari puspa dijejali rutinitas hariannya sebagai pegawai bank. Begitu banyak hari libur yang dikorbankannya untuk lembur.Hai Minggu ini terasa berbeda. Saat kotak musiknya berhenti mengalun, sayup-sayup suara riuh menyusup ke sela telinga puspa. Lekaslah Puspa beranjak berjalan menuju jendela.lalu membuka tirai yang penuh debu itu. Seorang gadis kecil sedan ...

Core Argument - Books are dangerous because they contain non-conforming ideas, provide diverse viewpoints, and expose readers to unfamiliar worlds [3] - Libraries are essential for a functioning democracy as they provide access to information and combat tyranny, oppression, and ignorance [4] - Freedom to access information and freedom of expression are interconnected, enabling informed decision-making [6] Censorship and Book Banning - Book banning and censorship are increasing, leading to the removal of books based on author's name or perceived non-compliance with legislation [16][17] - Historically, books have been banned due to their content, such as depicting interracial relationships or same-sex families [12][14] - Limiting access to information hinders the ability to form a complete understanding and make informed decisions [9][10] The Importance of Libraries and Librarians - Libraries should offer a marketplace of ideas, representing a multiplicity of stories and viewpoints [5] - Fully funded libraries and trained librarians are crucial for guiding individuals to quality and age-appropriate information sources [18] - Librarians are trained in collection development, ensuring a broad spectrum of topics and genres are available [19] Freedom of Access - Free people read freely, emphasizing the importance of the First Amendment and the freedom to access information [18][19] - Inhibiting access to information stifles critical thought and undermines liberty and justice [20]

RT Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent)Today, @USTreasury is sanctioning Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has used his position to authorize arbitrary pre-trial detentions and suppress freedom of expression.Alexandre de Moraes is responsible for an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions that violate human rights, and politicized prosecutions—including against former President Jair Bolsonaro.Treasury will continue to hold accountable those who t ...

General Opinion - Artists have the right to express their opinions [1] Commentary - Expressing views is not always virtuous or intelligent [1]

Freedom of Expression Concerns - A Norwegian tourist was detained and denied entry to the US, allegedly due to a meme of Vice President JD Vance found on his phone [1][4][5] - US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) denies the meme was the reason, citing the tourist's admitted drug use as the cause for denial of entry [2][5] - The incident has raised concerns about freedom of expression and potential censorship at US borders [4] - The spread of the meme has increased, potentially due to the alleged censorship attempt [3] Incident Details - The tourist, Mads Mickelson, was questioned about the contents of his phone, including a meme of Vice President JD Vance and a private photo [1] - Mickelson admitted to smoking marijuana twice in his life, once in Germany and once in New Mexico [2] - The tourist was detained for 5 hours and then deported back to Oslo [5] Political Reactions - Democratic Senator Ron Weiden shared the meme on social media [3] - The meme was even discussed in Irish Parliament [3]