Word: mel
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...back in 1961, young Jim Gabler came home from high school in Hawkins, Texas, and told his parents that he was bothered by his history textbook. When his father, Mel, read the book, Our Nation's Story, he was more than bothered; he was outraged. In a chapter on the U.S. Constitution, the book puffed up the powers of the Federal Government but minimized states' rights. Recalls Gabler: "It was teaching that Washington has complete dictatorial power...
Though neither Mel, 64, nor his wife Norma, 56, was a college graduate (Mel worked as a clerk for Exxon, Norma as wife and mother), they began that day to pursue new careers-part-time at first, then full-time-as readers and harsh critics of textbooks. Says Norma: "I believe that this is what God would want...
...with firm moral guidance. The nine-room house the Gablers built in 1965 in Longview, Texas, is crammed with shelves of textbooks and copies of line-by-line listings of their objections and those lodged by other volunteers. They have become a clearinghouse ("The nation's largest," says Mel) for critiques written by almost anyone of textbooks, dictionaries and library books. They mail copies on request and receive contributions in return that total some $60,000 per year...
...censors," argues Mel, adding, "only people with authority can censor." The Gablers simply make their views available to school board members and concerned parents, Norma explains. "They could read the books themselves but for us to read them will save hundreds of hours of time. If you don't read them line by line, you miss the most deadly or damaging content...
Kirkland's men's soccer team, paced by goalie Mel Ingalls and offensive wizards Liam Hurley and Tom Sylvester, garnered the crown with a 3-2 double overtime defeat of Lowell...