Posted on 06/26/2005 5:19:51 AM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection
If the U.S. government resorts to rifling through library records without a search warrant, libraries will no longer be sanctuaries of learning where people can freely think and read, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama told the American Library Association Saturday.
Obama said he is working diligently to make sure the country has a Patriot Act that helps track down terrorists without trampling on civil liberties. He told the applauding crowd at McCormick Place he hopes the U.S. Senate will follow the U.S. House's lead by passing a provision that would require federal agents to obtain a search warrant before going through library records and e-mails.
That way people can visit libraries without the fear of "Big Brother" peering over their shoulders, he said.
"This is an issue that Washington always tries to make into an either-or proposition," the first-term Democrat said. " 'Either we protect our people from terror or we protect our most cherished principles.' But I don't believe in either-or. I believe in both, and I think we can do both. I think when we pose the choice as either-or, it is asking too little of us and it assumes too little about Americans."
The House voted a week ago to sunset a Patriot Act provision that allows for searches of library records. Republicans joined the effort in defiance of President Bush.
But U.S. Attorney Alberto Gonzales and his prosecutors around the country are hoping to reverse that decision in a House-Senate conference committee -- even though they note they have never, in the three years since the act has been passed, requested anyone's library records.
'Window to a larger world'
On Saturday, Obama, citing the struggle to keep literary classics like "Huckleberry Finn" and "Catcher in the Rye" on library shelves over the years, applauded librarians for remaining on the front lines in the fight for privacy and freedom.
He criticized hard-liners, comparing them to dictators and governments throughout history who wanted to squash free thinking.
"The library represents a window to a larger world, a place where we've always come to discover big ideas and profound concepts that help move the American story forward and the human story forward," Obama said. "And that's the reason why since ancient antiquity, whenever those who seek power would want to control the human spirit, they have gone after libraries and books."
Obama also spoke about the need to raise the educational bar and increase reading activity during his 20-minute speech. While describing the challenges parents face in getting children to pick up a book in a video- and DVD-age, Obama took a swipe at Bush.
"Our kids aren't just seeing these temptations at home, they're seeing them everywhere. Whether it's their friend's house or the people they see on television or a general culture that glorifies anti-intellectualism, so that we have a president that brags about getting Cs. It trickles down, that attitude," Obama said.
Lets see looking at my library card or being incinerated in jet fuel?????
Is Obama appealing to the Libertarians?
could he be thinking about running for President?
Obama is as phony as a three dollar Bill Clinton.
Clinton claims the distinction of being the first white black President of the USA. Obama aspires to be the first black Bill Clinton.
But when President Hillary has that power, do you think she'll be more interested in who reads Arabic books on Wahhabism, or who reads The Truth About Hillary?
So, let me add your comments up, Sen. Obama: this "C student", who has worked himself up to the post of the highest office holder of the most powerful nation on the planet, hates libraries so much he married a librarian, and objects to reading so much he was reading to students the day our country was attacked. Yeah, whatever. And who said it takes brains to be a United States Senator?
There will never be a President Hillary. Won't happen.
The "if you have nothing to hide" crowd says Patriot Act is fine....
Not me...
And I'll bet you another five bucks that he doesn't feel the same about gun purchase records from the NICS system.
DEAN/OBAMA 2008! (ACTUAL bumper sticker seen in Vermont.)
Obama may not want his donor list to be unavailable for re-election funds.
I doubt that Obama will attract any libertarians. He is completely against the Second Amendment and he is just another nanny state leftist. While I find it doubtful that much would be gained from investigating everyone who checked out "Jihad for Dummies" from the library, the left seems to be against at any attempt to keep track of terrorists. And Obama's talk about freedom of speech seems hollow since most leftists are completely in favor of censorship when it suits their ends.
yep but you can never tell....
The Dems are willing to stoop to ANY level, and I have seen some of the same words come out of the LP'ers on FR too.
I'm not gonna take that.
Wonder how he sees "big brother" taxing everything that moves.
Ummm, this applies to PUBLIC libraries. If it applied to sales records of bookstores I would have a problem with it.
Obama has high hopes, if he can just keep his name out there. "Oh, Hill...Hill...Hi!"
Senator Obama only fears that he will not be the "big brother".
Obama does not give a poop about big brother watching as long as it is a democrat party member and its him.
Hopefully, you're right, and Hill won't ever be Pres. Hill. But whoever runs as her v.p. will be the new dem. star, esp. if he's black and a charismatic speaker. The MSM will make sure of that.
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