Remind me again why we live in California?

Menifee School District in southern California has decided to yank Merriam Webster’s 10th edition from all library shelves after a fifth grader’s mom complained that it contained the term “oral sex.” From the Press Enterprise:

School officials will review the dictionary to decide if it should be permanently banned because of the “sexually graphic” entry, said district spokeswoman Betti Cadmus. The dictionaries were initially purchased a few years ago for fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms districtwide, according to a memo to the superintendent.

“It’s just not age appropriate,” said Cadmus, adding that this is the first time a book has been removed from classrooms throughout the district.

“It’s hard to sit and read the dictionary, but we’ll be looking to find other things of a graphic nature,” Cadmus said. She explained that other dictionary entries defining human anatomy would probably not be cause for alarm.

Wow. Who knew the dictionary was such a treasure trove of filth? I’ll have to remember that the next time I play Scrabble (NSFW).

Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black speaks at the National Equality March rally.