[jonefab]

Wichita Eagel article Jun. 24 2003
Contributing: Sara Plummer of The Eagle; Associated Press

Ruling could compel Wichita libraries to install porn filters Eagle staff and news services

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that the federal government can require public libraries to install computer filters or withhold federal funding if they don't comply.

The law is meant to block pornography from being seen in libraries, even though the filters would block other types of information as well.

The court's 6-3 ruling means public libraries that receive federal funding and don't have computer filters have a decision to make: comply or risk losing their money.

Jennifer Heinicke, special projects librarian for the Wichita Public Library, said the library is researching the cost of installing the filters.

The Wichita Public Library has applied for nearly $60,000 in federal funding for fiscal 2003, which starts July 1. About $22,000 of that could be threatened if the filtering software is not installed, Heinicke said.
Link to story

[leadpenny]

That's great. We pay for our own censorship. The Telecommunications Act of 96 instituted the "Gore" tax now administered by the FCC. Remember how we had to wire the schools and libraries for the internet. The bill has come due.

[GirlShortstop]

The Wichita Public Library has applied for nearly $60,000 in federal funding for fiscal 2003

Makes me wonder how many "problems" would be resolved by citizens *if* the Federal gubermint's tentacles were to be severed thus allowing the money otherwise sucked down into DC for disbursement would remain in place to be used as the citizens of that area see fit.

"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them."  Einstein