UANAL, and... you're wrong.
There ARE federal laws against stolen property including the receipt of it (18 USC sections 2311 to 2322) as well as kidnapping (18 USC sections 1201-1204), and murder and other homicides (18 USC sections 1111 to 1122.) While it is one distinction, state/federal jurisdiction is not reserved only for the crossing of state or federal lines.
But in this case, a California guy sold it to someone in South Carolina; it crossed state lines, it's federal.
I am a credentialed, ALA card-carrying librarian, and I think this is a GREAT idea. To all the "it will never work!" people, I'll be blunt: you don't know what the fuck you're talking about. There are numerous types of user accounts, this is a welcome addition and a great solution.
Think it's unfair that it requires actual MONEY to secure materials? Tough shit, folks. It cost us money, and if we're public, that money came from property taxes, bond measures, or other public resources. It's not like we're trying to keep the poor folks down. Much as I'd love to have an endless supply of books free for the taking (honest, I would) we just can't give away things YOU paid for.
While I am concerned that people get to access information with as little censorship/obstacles as possible (note: sometimes we do laugh at the crap you're into), we do need some way to track our material. The best privacy guarantee would be the "honor system" -- unfortunately, as human nature is not yet perfected, people are not honorable enough in gnereal to keep all the best material from disappearing from our shelves.
We let you take things for free, as long as you return them -- and no, we can't take your word for it that you'll bring it back. So here's a way to keep us from knowing any personal info about you by saving us the trouble of having to send your cheap ass to collections when you disappear with the Kung-Pao Soccer DVD or the latest Mark Minasi book -- you'll just be out the money that it cost us. It's fair, so SHHHHH!!!
My department was aware of this breach a few months back, before it broke. Our concern definately wasn't the SS #s -- it was the home addresses.
Problem was that a number of state and federal officials, judges, DAs, and other folks with long lists of people who may harbor grudges against them for performing their jobs, suddenly had their contact information wiidely available.
The breach happened before courtroom security issues took such a dramatic front-page turn, but recent events highlight the additional danger these folks have always faced when dealing with criminal prosecutions.
Slashdot Mirror
UANAL, and... you're wrong. There ARE federal laws against stolen property including the receipt of it (18 USC sections 2311 to 2322) as well as kidnapping (18 USC sections 1201-1204), and murder and other homicides (18 USC sections 1111 to 1122.) While it is one distinction, state/federal jurisdiction is not reserved only for the crossing of state or federal lines. But in this case, a California guy sold it to someone in South Carolina; it crossed state lines, it's federal.
I am a credentialed, ALA card-carrying librarian, and I think this is a GREAT idea. To all the "it will never work!" people, I'll be blunt: you don't know what the fuck you're talking about. There are numerous types of user accounts, this is a welcome addition and a great solution.
Think it's unfair that it requires actual MONEY to secure materials? Tough shit, folks. It cost us money, and if we're public, that money came from property taxes, bond measures, or other public resources. It's not like we're trying to keep the poor folks down. Much as I'd love to have an endless supply of books free for the taking (honest, I would) we just can't give away things YOU paid for.
While I am concerned that people get to access information with as little censorship/obstacles as possible (note: sometimes we do laugh at the crap you're into), we do need some way to track our material. The best privacy guarantee would be the "honor system" -- unfortunately, as human nature is not yet perfected, people are not honorable enough in gnereal to keep all the best material from disappearing from our shelves.
We let you take things for free, as long as you return them -- and no, we can't take your word for it that you'll bring it back. So here's a way to keep us from knowing any personal info about you by saving us the trouble of having to send your cheap ass to collections when you disappear with the Kung-Pao Soccer DVD or the latest Mark Minasi book -- you'll just be out the money that it cost us. It's fair, so SHHHHH!!!
My department was aware of this breach a few months back, before it broke. Our concern definately wasn't the SS #s -- it was the home addresses. Problem was that a number of state and federal officials, judges, DAs, and other folks with long lists of people who may harbor grudges against them for performing their jobs, suddenly had their contact information wiidely available. The breach happened before courtroom security issues took such a dramatic front-page turn, but recent events highlight the additional danger these folks have always faced when dealing with criminal prosecutions.
[i]"120 G per square inch"[/I] Shouldn't that should be per [U]cubic[/U] inch?