Edited by author 03-28-2003 01:43 PM
"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. [...] unlike you I see the bad guys as the threat, not the US Government."

Jeebus! Power corrupts. Not everyone, but some people. By what great virtue is the US Government protected from corruption? Maybe you don't care if the FBI knows that you read "Great expectations" at 3h00pm on the 15th of march, but what if a company won't hire you because they learn that you read a book on "how to be a good French citizen" two years ago? Its a small possibility, but it could happen. Ah! "But it can save lives! Won't you please think of the children!".

Here is an hypothetical situation : Let's say that the terrorists never hear about the Patriot act. They commonly use library computers to make school buses explode. FBI promptly arrests said terrorists. After 8-10 arrests, they suspect that the FBI is snooping around on the library computers and they stop using these computers to make school buses explode. They instead go to McDonalds. FBI still has to snoop on the library computers just to be safe. It does not save lives anymore but it can still be used by corrupted officials. Net gain : 10 arrests, 250 children avenged but the corruption continues.

Btw, are the librarians breaking any law? Do they have to keep logs of everything? Should they? Do you keep a log of all the keystrokes of your computer? Why should they? I feel I should keep a video log of my computer room 24/7 in case a burglar comes in my house and blows up school buses with my computer :)

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Btw, I'm a french Canadian and I have nothing against the french or the US citizen. I also never read "how to be a good French citizen". :)
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