TOW #16: Removal of Bibles

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/01/24/bibles-removed-from-university-lodge/
  
    In his article, Todd Starnes uses direct quotes and a sarcastic tone to satirize the fact that Bibles were removed from a lodge owned by the University of Wisconsin due to some people's aversion to the mere presence of them.
      The quotes that Starnes chooses to include make the speakers sound either ignorant or simply ridiculous. Added to that, Starnes follows up many of the quotes with a comment of his won that further mocks what the speaker of the quote is saying, or the point the speaker is making. One quote he includes is about the fact that Bibles are claimed to alienate "non-Christian guests whose religious beliefs are inconsistent with the message being promoted by the Bibles.'" Starnes then follows up this quote with a rhetorical question that mocks the point the speaker of the quote is making. He says, "So does that mean the university’s diner should stop making cheeseburgers, lest they offend vegans?" The answer to that is obviously a no, and, when compared to the quote, mocks it. He also includes the quote, "As you may know, the mission of the Gideons is to ‘win the lost for Christ,’” the FFRF's attorney wrote in a letter to the university. “The Gideon’s [sic] efforts to proselytize have frequently brought about conflict with non-religious persons and persons from minority faiths.” This quote by itself could be considered a valid point, if not for the cutting remark that Starnes follows up with, as follows..."I checked Google, and to the best of their search engine, there have been no religious wars fought in the name of Gideons International." The sarcasm in his response is almost tangible; his tone obviously one of mockery. 
       The final sentence of Starnes' article is perhaps the most sarcastic of them all, and there are quite a few in his article. He says that, "...the books were hidden behind the hotel’s registration counter. The books are made available only upon request. Much like how a convenience store sells nudie magazines – behind the counter, wrapped in brown paper, lest someone be offended." By comparing the Bibles to "nudie," he is pointing out the ridiculousness of the entire situation. Obvously, Bibles could in no way be compared with adult magazines, and yet, people are treating the two as one in the same. This statement brings home Starnes' point that any of the people who requested the removal of the Bibles on the grounds mentioned, are ignorant and almost humorously ridiculous. 
      I believe that Starnes accomplished his goal of satirizing this situation very well. His tone is obviously sarcastic and mocking, and his cutting remarks do their job well.