Librarian Stands up to the Feds

Anonymous Coward writes "A librarian at Brandeis University forced the FBI to obtain a warrant to seize computers used to send threats. From the article: 'Federal Bureau of Investigation agents tried to seize 30 of the library's computers without a warrant, saying someone had used the library's Internet connection to send the threat to Brandeis. But the library director, Kathy Glick-Weil, told the agents they could not take the machines unless they got a warrant first. Newton's mayor, David Cohen, backed Ms. Glick-Weil up. After a brief standoff, FBI officials relented and sought a warrant from a judge.'"

Comments

Re:Time to vote NO, but in what election?

[Stradenko]

I would say[1] that if one is not "well off enough" to be a decent parent for one's children, one oughtn't have a child. I would say that's an effective solution to the kidnapping problem.[2]

[1] While I consider myself libertarian (I check the Libertarian box on my voter registration form), my views may not accurately represent the views of the Libertarian party.

[2] I realize that kids can get out of hand and that parents may have extenuating circumstances (so take my comment as a moderate eggageration, if it makes you feel better). The GP seemed to've been justifying lax parenting with poverty, and that doesn't fly with me.

Re:Time to vote NO, but in what election?

[mrchaotica]

On one hand, it's the government and command structure that's setting the policy, so it's unfair to hate the grunts for "just following orders." On the other hand, though, those grunts chose to swear an oath to uphold that same policy, so it's hard to argue that they don't agree with it themselves. Besides, if they really did disagree, they could always get themselves a dishonorable discharge (although I realize that's a hard choice to make).

I guess the proper position is ambivalance -- don't call the troops "monsters with guns," but don't be so gung-ho with patriotism that you support the policies they're enforcing, either.

Incidentally, those people who say "if you don't support the troosps [and the policies they enforce] you must hate America!!!" are themselves the most un-American, intolerant fascists possible, because opposing tyranny and promoting the free exchange of ideas are the core of what it means to be American.