"You can try to heal cancer but cutting it out of the body, or you can find out what the cause of the cancer is, remove it, and not have it happen again."

That would be the first time in the history of human existance where a society existed that wasn't hated, envied or feared by someone else.

Furthermore, it's not an "Either-Or" situation. You must work to solve the root of terrorism WHILE you remain vigilant against it. Either without the other is dangerous.

"Now we can ask one question : why caused them to do such a thing? The fact that they are being silenced. "

Do the police call you whenever they run a check on your licence (like when requested by an Insurance company)? Does the credit bureau tell you every time someone runs a credit check on you? Are you claiming the librarians would suddenly be FOR this idea if the Feds had to call you and tell you they looked at your records?

Computers in libraries are funded with government money. They are offered for free for anyone to use. If you don't like the fact that you aren't 100% anonymous, then don't use it. If enough people are bothered by this, then none of the computers will be used and the government might have to rethink their position. A boycott by the consumers is valid, while civil disobedience by the librarians is not. Furthermore the boycott has a FAR greater chance of changing the law than the librarians actions.

Finally, who do these librarians think they are? They sure aren't speaking for ME, they are doing what they THINK is in the best interest of the public without being held accountable for their actions, UNLIKE the elected public officials.

Ask the public: "Would you be OK with having your name and time logged when using a public computer if it could potentially help law enforcement catch people who use public computers for illegal activities" and let THEM decide.

I like how some of you folks (you being the librarians, not necessarily the blog readers) elect yourselves as the "protectors of freedom" when noone seems to have asked you to do that. The "outcry" over logging usage has been a HUGE minority, yet that minority thinks they are speaking for everyone.

Put it to vote and see what happens. I'd gladly let them know my name and what computer I'm using and when if there's even a SMALL chance that it could help catch someone using that system for illegal purposes, and I know I'm not alone in that either.

Hey, don't get me wrong, thanks for protecting me from our malicious government and all, but unlike you I see the bad guys as the threat, not the US Government.