Chilling civics lesson

In case anyone had doubts that the Patriot Act really is a significant threat to our civil rights, check out this story in today's NYT. Notice how the Bush DOJ kept the librarians from making any public statements about the case until the Patriot Act had been reauthorized. Maybe this isn't a perfect fit for sfschools, but this is a civics issue, and these are librarians who are being coerced into spying.

NYT: Four Librarians Finally Break Silence in Records Case:

Four Connecticut librarians who had been barred from revealing that they had received a request for patrons' records from the federal government spoke out yesterday, expressing frustration about the sweeping powers given to law enforcement authorities by the USA Patriot Act.

[...] "I was shocked by the restraints the gag order imposed on me," said Mr. Christian, who said that after receiving the request he was unsure whether he could consult a lawyer or his board of directors.

"The fact that the government can and is eavesdropping on patrons in libraries has a chilling effect, because they really don't know if Big Brother is looking over their shoulder," he added.

Being free to speak now, weeks after the Patriot Act was reauthorized for several more years, was "like being allowed to call the Fire Department after the building has burned down," he said.