The right to read and the USA Patriot Act

[Hasty Ent]

Just saw this article and as an American, I find it chilling.
Evidently, libraries and bookstores are now purging their records to protect the privacy of readers.

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Bu...ad030424.html#

The good news, as you'll see towards the end, is that --
Quote: A bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Barry Sanders, I-Vt., last month to exempt libraries and booksellers from the provisions of Section 215 of the Patriot Act. The bill has "about 70 co-sponsors, including a half-dozen Republicans," Sanders' chief of staff, Jeff Weaver said.

Under the bill, called the Freedom to Read Protection Act, bookstore and library records could still be sought by law enforcement, but only with evidence of probable cause. End quote.

Any thoughts?

[Aralyn]

Whoa. That is wierd, for sure. I think they should support the bill.

[IronParrot]

The fact that this issue even exists is probably the best piece of evidence I've seen that the Patriot Act was simply poorly-conceived legislation that was rushed into being without having sorted out the details first.

[Hasty Ent]

I agree, the Freedom to Read Protection Act is an important piece of legislation. However, who defines 'probable cause' and how? Scary stuff.

Here's a link with more information http://bernie.house.gov/documents/re...0306181342.asp

[Elfhelm]

I'd rather repeal the Patriot Act than make a bunch of Freedom to this or that Acts.

Every one of our boys "over there" swore to protect the Constitution. Maybe we should bring them home because this is where their oath is being challenged. I swore to protect it, too, and my discharge doesn't release me from an oath.

p.s. Free Mike!

[jerseydevil]

I agree with IP - it was rushed into after 9/11. There is a lot of stuff in the patriot Act I'm against. It takes too many freedoms away without the protections from abuse by law enforcement to protect innocent people.

Originally posted by Hasty Ent
I agree, the Freedom to Read Protection Act is an important piece of legislation. However, who defines 'probable cause' and how? Scary stuff.

Well most likely with "probable cause" it'll be defined by the same definition that is used in order for law enforcement to get a warrant to search a person's house.

New Jersey has already struck down a lot of things that the Federal Government tries to do as unconstituation under the New Jersey Constitution and has issued lawsuits. This isn't just under the Bush Administration either - but also deals with the federal government requiring libraries to have blocking software which was enacted under Clinton. New Jersey does not force libraries to having blocking software on their computers and most libraries don't here.

Anything not specifically declared as being restricted by the US government in the Constitution is left up to the states to decide. I don't want the US Government becoming big brother - and the Patriot Act contains too many things that put the Federal Government on that path. Now finally legislature will go into place to keep it in check a little - or lawsuits will go to the Supreme Court to control it, or if it's really bad - it can be thrown completely out as being unconstitutional. Many times laws have gone through Congress which have later been brought before the Supreme Court and overturned. But in order for the Supreme Court to do anything - lawsuits first have to be issued challenging the Constitutionality of the law.