A Sneak Peek at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, U.S. Library Edition

Sports Illustrated made the surprising admission this week that it censored itself by not shipping its annual swimsuit issue to libraries or schools. A spokesman for the magazine said it was done to appease critics who felt the issue had become too risque.

But until Thursday, SI had lied about the reason for not sending out the issue.

Librarians calling the magazine to ask why they hadn't received the issue heard many explanations, including that someone from their institution had specifically requested not to receive it or that the magazine had run out of copies, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, deputy director of the American Library Assn.'s Office for Intellectual Freedom.

Caldwell-Stone said that denying the issue to all public libraries set a dangerous precedent."It doesn't take much to complain that something else is inappropriate for another reason, whether it be politics, morality or another viewpoint," she said. "This is an intellectual freedom issue when we have a corporation deciding what people can read."

Please, Mizzzz Caldwell-Stone, get a grip. Sports Illustrated is just trying to protect our values and our innocent children. It is critical that they never, ever have access to such smut.

No, Sports Illustrated is simply trying to right a wrong for the decent people of America.

And to make it clear just how sorry they are, they're publishing a tasteful and thoughtful new swimsuit spread. It displays women in a way that says, "Yes, we respect you, now make us some non-bacon products and eggs."

We at Foul Balls were lucky enough to get our hands on a few snaps of the new SI swimsuit layout and we're excited to bring it to you today. Get out your Kleenex and hand cream, boys, but don't forget to apologize to God afterwards!

• Model: Veronique
• Location: Yemen
• Photographer: Sheik Yobootah
• Swimsuit: By the Grace of Allah

• Models: Bambi, Sookie and Jasmine
• Location: Virginia Beach
• Photographer: Jerry Falwell
• Swimsuits: True Religion

• Model: Christie Brinkley
• Location: East Hampton
• Photographer: Patrick Demarchelier
• Swimsuit: Burkini