LISNews: Librarian News

Blake writes "The San Antonio Current Interviews Frates Seeligson. Seeligson insists modestly that many people read more than he does, but they think not many read as comprehensively. He visited with the Current in his pleasant, and yes, book-filled, offices near Brackenridge Park.Since his 30s, Seeligson has followed a self-made plan to read his way chronologically through world and American history, while enjoying books on public policy, sensual topics such as shad and caviar, and fiction. "I try to average four books a month," he told me, holding up a yellow legal pad filled with pages of titles, many scratched off. "So at the end of six months, I've read 24 books."

Anonymous Patron writes "One From Infoshop, By Sanford Berman, says apart from scattered and often repetitive evidence - largely anecdotal - it really doesn't seem that much has happened at the absolutely crucial level of specific libraries and library systems to inform the public (and staff) of the Act's privacy and free speech implications, to reexamine record retention policies in order to best circumvent or frustrate government snooping, and to actively oppose the Act, or at least agitate for the repeal or amendment of Section 215. The most significant impact - and action - is local."

The Associated Press has one of many articles on a new measure being written by Sen. Pat Roberts. The chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee is working on a bill that would renew the USA Patriot Act and expand government powers in the name of fighting terrorism, letting the FBI subpoena records without permission from a judge or a grand jury.The information came from aides who spoke on the condition of anonymity because Roberts has yet to make the bill's contents public.

Opponents of expanding the Patriot Act said Roberts's proposal would amount to an expansive wish list for the administration.

Columnist John Bogert responds to fellow columnist Deroy Murdock, who thought the US Patriot Act, particularly the provision about libraries, be strengthened. Bogert interpreted Murdock's piece to say

You see, to protect ourselves we must first destroy all those things that we seek to protect.

Or as Calgacus said of the invading Romans on the eve of battle, "They make a desert and call it peace."