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Save the Librarians

October 25, 2004 | Category:



Tonight, a warm autumn full moon overhead, the three of us went for a walk around our Pleasantville block.

"Did you know about the Libraries and the Patriot Act?" CD asked me.

"The Federal Government can pull records of Internet usage and stuff without a compelling reason why...

"Now the Homeland Security people want to pass an act that will send Librarians to jail if they even reveal the FBI has been there. Sending LIBRARIANS to jail."

And CD, he loves Librarians. He loves books and Libraries and Librarians. "Jail. Not for saying WHAT was raided or anything. Just for saying the library was raided. 'Oh hun, you wouldn't believe my day - the FBI had me running around for hours...' This they would make ILLEGAL. Conversation. In America. By LIBRARIANS."

"I guess it's that old saying... what if it was your kid that was in danger.." I mused.

"No. No. This isn't about safety. How is safety served in gagging Librarians? In curtailing Free Speech? Can there be justice in secrecy? No, this is about power. This about control."

"What can we do about it?"

"The Librarians are erasing the records of the computers every night. An act of rebellion."

"Librarians?"

"Yeah."

"To protect free speech?"

"Yeah."

"Wow."

"Yeah."

And I thought back to the world, before.

This is the world, after.

And I don't have anything more to say.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note: This entry was previously prefaced by an anecdote of how easy it was, being an American in the world, prior to 9/11. How I ended up accidentally in Turkey one time and was penalized for traveling (without passport, papers, or even a full set of clothing) with 2 cups of Nescafe and a free ferry ticket. Because I said the magic words "I am American." But I thought about it, and realized - I just want to talk about the Librarians. Because really, I'm not so brave. And I think they are. In a world where it feels a little more McCarthian every day, I want to say - I admire these Librarians. And thank them, for their conviction.


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Tagged: Corporate, Mommy, Life



Comments


as far as i am concerned the patriot act is illegal

Posted by: wylie on November 23, 2004 01:34 PM


Two things. Yes, the librarians are brave. I work with them every day and I think it's awful that they have to deal with the Patriot Act at all. It's just crazy.

Second. I'm adding you to my links, so maybe that will make up for at least one of the 9 that you lost. Glad to find you.

Posted by: Laura on October 27, 2004 10:05 PM


that damn John Ashcroft is behind this...I know he is

Posted by: kalisah on October 26, 2004 04:12 PM


I liked the story about Turkey in the original...

I stopped by the library today on the way to work. It still is one of my favorite places and hope the kids grow to love it, too. I also hope that "Our Leaders" don't Patriot Act and under fund them into extinction.

Posted by: pebbleserv on October 26, 2004 02:57 PM


A friend of mine travelled to Qatar last summer. He said because they were Americans all the customs / plane changes were a dream.

Which is something, because he looks middle-eastern and has a name to match.

Posted by: ben on October 26, 2004 02:08 PM


Civil disobedience at its best.

Posted by: Beth on October 26, 2004 10:40 AM


I weep for the librarians. And I swear, if any of them ever is arrested, I swear I am starting a Defense Fund, will go on a hunger strike, and will do anything I can to try to highlight my support of them, in their desire to protect our rights.

Kim would weep, had he known so many of our rights were gone.

Posted by: Helen on October 26, 2004 08:40 AM


Thanks for this post.

--a librarian

Posted by: elswhere on October 26, 2004 12:12 AM


When I used to travel through Europe by train, I was amazed at my "magic blue passport." Everyone else on the train was carefully scrutinized, their papers and passports inspected at each border, but mine wasn't even opened on most occassions. One glance at me, one glance at the passport and on to the next passenger.

Posted by: Philip on October 25, 2004 10:37 PM