Just to confirm … in the UK and most of Europe, the political spectrum goes left to right – communist, socialist, social democrat, liberal, conservative (sometimes including a more centrist ‘one nation conservative’), fascist. Liberal and conservative pretty much meet the usual dictionary definitions here.
Also from the Catholic Bishops’ review:
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It goes on to say
You know, I read many movie reviews by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as part of a massive research project I did. I was always impressed by them. The Harry Potter review has further convinced me that they are one of the few reliable sources for judging “family” entertainment. When I have to make movie decisions for the future Beansprouts, I will look at their reviews. And I’m no Catholic. I’m a Deist Pagan Jew.
Umm… posting spoilers much?
pout
TRUTH SEEKER
Your kidding right??
Your not serious are you??
I did notice your wink at the end of your post, so I am hoping for the best, i.e. Your kidding.
Have you even read Harry Potter? If your serious I’ll assume you haven’t. If not never mind.
OH yeah one more thing-> I LOVED RUDOLPHS CHRISTMAS!!!
LaurAnge Sorry for the spoilers . You’ll still love the book.
When they are Nazis of course! :rolleyes:Or
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OK, this is the Pit and now you’re going to make me get all analytical. First, yes, I’ve read Harry Potter. Second, I think the smilie and the link to an SDMB thread make it pretty clear where I’m coming from.
Having said that, I think there are colorable reasons why some reasonable parents could be less-than-thrilled by Pottermania. There are some questionable themes in the books e.g. a lack of respect for authority and rules. My “assisted suicide” theme is, obviously, being played for comic effect, here. However, it is in the book and I can see how it could be potentially troubling to some parents.
This gets into the whole discussion of “censorship” of children’s books which I think should be far more nuanced than it is ever presented. When you think about it, everyone is in favor of “censoring” children’s books because children’s books should have age-appropriate content and themes. For example, do you want your nine-year-old to read an illustrated children’s version of “A Modest Proposal”? The problem is, there is less and less of a consensus on what is appropriate. “Truths” that you or I may see as self-evident may actually be quite controversial in some quarters. Therefore, whenever I hear about an attempt to “ban” a children’s book, I cringe because there is usually plenty of paranoia on both sides. But that’s GD question, I guess.
In that case, read that thread I posted before you watch it this year. It’s one of the funniest things to every appear on the SDMB. On second thought, maybe you shouldn’t. If you do, you’ll never be able to look at that show the same way again!
truth seeker
OK…Thanx for the clarification. I agree I just get alittle jumpy when books are banned for children. Of course there are books I would not want my kids reading “A Clock Work Orange” “Lolita” and all of Danielle Steele. 
Good. I’m glad we got that cleared up. Now where were we, . . . Ah, yes, In addition to pushing for assisted suicide, don’t you think that Rowling’s portrayal of the Dursleys undermines the authority of step-parents in blended families?