Ashcroft Mocks Librarians and Others Who Oppose Parts of Counterterrorism

[UpInArms]

http://makeashorterlink.com/?K40A259E5

ASHINGTON, Sept. 15 — Attorney General John Ashcroft today accused the country's biggest library association and other critics of fueling "baseless hysteria" about the government's ability to pry into the public's reading habits.

In an unusually pointed attack as part of his latest speech in defense of the Bush administration's counterterrorism initiatives, Mr. Ashcroft mocked and condemned the American Library Association and other Justice Department critics for believing that the F.B.I. wants to know "how far you have gotten on the latest Tom Clancy novel."

The association, which has argued for months that the government's new antiterrorism powers risk encroaching on the privacy of library users, took some satisfaction from the broadside.

"If he's coming after us so specifically, we must be having an impact," said Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the library association's Washington office.

...more...

[aquart]

1. He attacked librarians? Librarians???????????????

Has this man no shame?

[schultzee]

25. No, he had no shame at all, and no morals, no honesty, and he is

not really a Christian as he says so frequently. He is a Nazi.

[roguevalley]

31. Your post is so cool, I think I'm in love.

*

[Bandit]

50. And what does Pickles say about this?

:shrug: Oh that's right she is a Republican woman, she is not allowed a say. It's man business so get back in the kitchen.

[Ediacara]

2. direct link

here

And isn't it bad for the attourny general to be mocking the profession of the first lady?

[Minstrel Boy]

3. Apparently, if you read nothing but Tom Clancy

you have nothing to worry about.

[arcane1]

5. didn't Clancy have a 9/11-like plot line in a book once...?

it was some writer like him, anyway...

perhaps Ashcroft should read MORE!

[Ediacara]

6. IIRC

The United States and Japan were in a war, and after the war, a JAL pilot flew a plane into the Capitol during the State of the Union. Not sure if I am remembering this right, if not, please chime in.

[benfranklin1776]

11. Bingo got it right except speech was regarding resignation of VP ....

.....for scandal. Damn wouldn't that resignation of VP due to scandal part be nice if it came to pass.

[benfranklin1776]

9. Yes he did circa 1995 or so. Debt of Honor was the book and the book ends.

......with an individual piloting a plane filled with fuel directly into the Capital Dome killing everyone inside who was attending a Presidential speech, but Mr. Jack Ryan, who then becomes President. Sort of punctures that myth propelled by Condi that "no one ever thought that terrorists would use planes as weapons." Hell if Clancy thought of it then certainly his friends in the national security establishment had thought of it, along with his loyal readership after the book came out. But I forgot...Condi doesn't like reading...hence that whole bogus uranium thing slipped right past her.

[Ediacara]

22. Clancey was on TV on the morning of 9-11

saying "I told you so," and you're right, Condi is lying through her teeth.

[Wapsie B]

49. That's right.

But just let asscrack catch you with one of the classics, your ass is grass.

[Vikingking66]

4. wow, he should have listened to Michael Moore

Don't screw around with Librarians. They form a national cabal capable of influencing millions of kids and through them their parents.
When they get incensed about first amendment issues, they ALWAYS win.

Fear the might of the Dewey decimal system!

[Gloria]

7. That shows the level of disrespect this bunch of creeps has toward

the people of this nation and their right to access information.

As a former librarian (Rutgers, M.L.S.) I am totally insulted. Most librarians are way cool!!

OK, I'm waiting for Laura Bush to open her mouth...although I've never been quite convinced about her real feelings about the profession.

[shimmergal]

47. Here's another ex-librarian who's outraged.

And Gloria, I also have some doubts about Laura Bush's professional identity. I'm very disappointed in her actions, or rather lack of action, in support of any issue librarians care about.

What Ashcroft doesn't realize, though, is that we may be smarter than him. Already--pre-Patriot Act-- many libraries had circulation systems that aultomatically wipe the record clean on items a patron
has borrowed in the past, once it's returned. (Theoretically a computer wizard could recover this info, I guess, but that's going to take a lot of time and expertise that the typical FBI agent doesn't have.)

Now, more and more librarians are just requesting a quick glance at your ID, if they request anything, before you use an Internet computer. This way there's no record of who's used it, and when.

[prolesunited]

8. He's gonna be sorry

he slammed librarians. They already were after him and this is only adding fuel to the fire. They've been instrumental is shedding light on the Patriot Act. Bernie Sanders was a keynote speaker at their annual conference.

If you're interested in learning more about libraries and the Patriot Act, here's a link:

http://www.ala.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Our_Association/Offices/ALA_Washington/Issues2/Civil_Liberties,_Intellectual_Freedom,_Privacy/The_USA_Patriot_Act_and_Libraries/Default2437.htm

[bookman]

10. Typical Republican

Criticize teacher unions, but praise teachers.

Criticize labor unions, but praise workers.

Criticize library associations, but praise librarians.

These people have no clue who makes up these groups.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

12. In other words

After reading the article, I think I can fairly sum up Ashcroft's position thusly:

The PATRIOT Act allows us to snoop on all of your library and reading habits, but we'd never do that because we have too much regard for the Constitution. The librarians are being silly.

BULLSHIT! We've already seen stories in recent days about terrorism laws now being used to prosecute common criminals. Give Ashcroft an inch and he'll take a mile, and then be looking to push it a little further. I don't trust ANYTHING this religiously-insane whackjob says.

[benfranklin1776]

15. Exactly right! Methinks he doth protest too much.

Fact is, contrary to his caterwauling, there is nothing to stop John Boy from snooping as much as he wants and we'll never know since the (IN)Justice Department, by design refuses to account for how their brand spanking new powers are being used, but as you say what info does leak out indicates that they are predictably misusing it for other purposes. The founding fathers created the fourth amendment for a specific reason, namely to protect every person from unwarranted intrusion into their personal lives by the government. Thus the concept of judicial oversight was mandated with the requirement that the government prove to a judge's satisafaction the probable cause necessary to justify a search and it enables the judge to supervise the government's conduct. The (UN)Patriot(IC) Act is unconstituional because it circumvents these basic constitutional requirements. The fourth amendment is a vitally necessary bulwark of basic liberty which must be protected against zealots like Aschcroft so that they cannot trample in their zealousness the very freedom they purport to be protecting .

[Guaranteed]

37. Bottom line is that we just...

...shouldn't have to worry about this at all. There should be NO possibility of anyone legally snooping into our lives without probable cause. We shouldn't have to take his word for it.

[prolesunited]

13. How did we miss this

Ashcroft didn't mean to attack librarians. He really is upset with the ACLU, who duped the librarians. :eyes:

Mark Corallo, a spokesman for the department, said the speech was intended not as an attack on librarians, but on groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and politicians who he said had persuaded librarians to mistrust the government.

The American Librarian Association "has been somewhat duped by those who are ideologically opposed to the Patriot Act," Mr. Corallo said.

Mr. Ashcroft's remarks, he said, "should be seen as a jab at those who would mislead librarians and the general public into believing the absurd, that the F.B.I. is running around monitoring libraries instead of going after terrorists."

[Mel]

16. duped

I agree that's BS! Librarians aren't duped they know and protect the 1st amendment. Corallo can spin it all he wants that comment will only make librarians kick ASScrap harder!

They know, they know! what Asscrap said is going to really make the librarians mad wooo oooo he just dug their hole deeper with that 'duped' comment.

I just sent this to my librarian friend, I know what she's going to say! :evilgrin:

[benfranklin1776]

17. Ah John Boy always the bastion of churlishness.

So he is insulting librarians, who are dedicated professionals who have many hours of training, by saying they can't think for themselves and are duped into following "the bad old ACLU." Whatta schmuck John Boy is. Just because he is incapable of thinking for himself does not mean that others are as easily led around by the nose.

[Pallas180]

18. Yeah? Well theFBI visited the Palm Beach County libraries and told

the librarians they would take out computers without notice
and the librarians cannot tell anyone the computers are
being checked. Duh. They are pretty upset. A way to induce
people to stop reading at the libraries. Then to stop reading.
Next stop. Book burning.

I have two ideas to circumvent this invasion by Ashcroft.

1) Obtain small statues of Michelangelo's David and send them
to Ashcroft. His apoplexy at seeing the naked genitals should
send him into apoplexy and the nuthouse.

2) When you purchase books at Borders or Barnes & Noble (they also
must report our reading habits) pay cash, and give your name as
John Ashcroft, Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC. It would be
helpful to buy as many porno books and magazines under this name as
possible.

[TreasonousBastard]

39. Oh, so...

librarians aren't traitors and terrorist sympathizers, just stupid enough to be conned by the evil ACLU.

[Cocoa]

14. what a charmer

they're professionals, and he's totally dismissing them.

And his use of the word "hysteria" makes me wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that many librarians are women.

[Mel]

19. of course it does

'hysteria' :grr: I'm livid! My best friend is a librarian and this just burns my bum!

I so despise men that talk down to women this way and that's eXactly what it is.

[schultzee]

26. Fundamentalist Christians consider women inferior because they

are the ones who supposedly ate that apple and offered it to Adam, and you know ass croft painted clothing on all the nude classical statues. He is certifiable and in a position of power.

[roguevalley]

32. yes, but he lets his eagle fly-eee-yi-eeeyi!!!!!

*

[rocktivity]

45. You asked for it, RogeValley, you got it!

But WHY you asked for it I can't imagine...at least it's a way to torture prisoners that's both effective and humane.

ADVISORY: this link contains material that may not be suitable for music lovers.


rocknation

[PennyLane]

34. Totally Scary!

How on earth did a maniac like that get in such a position of power??
Ashcroft is the anti-christ.......I'm certain of it!

[grasswire]

20. another book predicted plane crashes...

...and that was the book "Final Jihad" written by the brother of Frank Keating (OK governor and CIA). The book, which was celebrated for its authenticity, featured radio controlled planes flying into Washington targets. I read it in 1994. Sorry, Condi.

[prolesunited]

21. Oh, I'm sure

that's just a coincidence. You hear men being referred to as hysterical all of the time.

Here's more on Bernie Sanders and his fight against the Patriot Act
http://bernie.house.gov/publications/index.asp?issue=Civil+Liberties

[Pallas180]

23. Why isn't there a demand to Congress to remove Asscroft? He is sworn

to uphold the constitution, not violate it.

Where are the demands???????

[disgruntella]

24. don't mess with the ALA!

I have an MLIS (Masters in Library and Information Science) - I say that the long way because I'm not a "practicing librarian", lol. And when it comes to intellectual freedom, ALA *is* the ACLU. Ashcroft is a patronizing f*ckwit and I would love to see him surrounded by a swarm of angry librarians!

[schultzee]

27. Laura Bush must be on Prozac to live with W and his ivy mafia.

She looks half crazy.

[PennyLane]

33. That's too FUNNY!

Poor Laura, but you're right she looks "doped up" half the time.
She is a Stepford Wife!!!! :eyes:

[jamesinca]

28. Here is the latest lie exposed

<SNIP>
The Justice Department, Mr. Ashcroft said, "has no interest in your reading habits. Tracking reading habits would betray our high regard for the First Amendment.

<SNIP>

This is lie number one, the house voted to alter the freedom of speech. It pretty much split on party lines. It was sold as a national security issue

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

<SNIP>
And even if someone in government wanted to do so, it would represent an impossible workload and a waste of law enforcement resources."
<SNIP>

Department of Homeland security sending its resources to look for TX Dems in OK. Enough said on that.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

[E_Zapata]

29. Since it is a felony for the librarians to disclose what the gov gets,

My money is on trusting the librarians when they say, "we can't tell the citizens when and to whom the government inquires, but the USPA is bad news."

Asscroft - such a schmuck and a coward. Criticizing a group who would face jail terms if they got specific about why they oppose Ass's fascist Patriot Act.

[Dogmudgeon]

36. So the Librarians aren't allowed to disclose who gets what

There is one good solution -- open the library databases to the Internet, and don't lock the borrower records.

That way, there will be 100% transparency, except that the borrower records will be useless for either legal action or intelligence collecting, since anyone could re-write the data in them.

My guess is that within a week, every smutty or politically suspect book will appear to have been check out by one J. Ashcroft.

--bkl
"Lesbian Spank Inferno. Pbk, 226 pp. Non-Fiction. Due Date: 10/9/03. J. Ashcroft."

[trogdor]

40. Hey, Johnny Law! Here's EXACTLY what I've been reading.

My Amazon Listmania list. So there.

[mac56]

46. There's an idea!

nm

[bicentennial_baby]

41. My college library

now purges library records every 30 days, so there are essentially no records to be seized, should the request arise. Works for them!

[roguevalley]

30. I would rather lick razor blades than piss off librarians.

They are true heroes. You have no idea how many times these women and men stand between nutjobs and the first amendment. They have it down to a science. Someone wants to ban a book, you call a number and they are with you.

They are unrelenting and ferocious. I am proud to be a <one time>
school librarian and the daughter of a passionate and wonderful
public librarian <ret>.

Go! LIBRARIANS!!!!!!!

[PennyLane]

35. Librarians...........I've Heard They ROCK!

If nothing else, this whole affair will shed light on their organization and mission statement!

[koopie57]

44. I was thinking the same thing

and remembering what they did with the Michael Moore book and the problems he had getting it published.

[babzilla]

38. shush your mouth asscroft

or I know someone who will button your lip for you.

[Racenut20]

42. Gov Jebbie's method

Give the Librarys away. Give away the books, close them down.

[BiggJawn]

43. That scream of Rage you will hear in about 3 minutes....

Will be my Girlfriend, who is a circulation clerk, and I'm just now forwarding that story to her....

Ashcroft has finally fucked with the WRONG group....

[MinnFats]

48. "I hold in my hand a list of 248 librarians..."

....who remained employed in their public jobs despite opposition to the Patriot Act...."
"how many librarians?"
"I have a list, a list of 168 librarians..."
"How many?"
"Sixty-four, 64 librarians on the public payroll..."

Jeeeeesaaahs!

It's 1950.
Like a vampire, Joseph McCarthy walks the earth again. But this time he's anointed with holy oil....