Mary Ellen writes “http://www.komotv.com/stories/33363.htm
After a patron reported to the FBI that someone had hand written a Bin Laden quote in a page margin of the book “Bin Laden: The Man Who Declared War on America”, the FBI confiscated the book and demanded to know the names and addresses of everyone who ever checked out the book.
Other Links:
http://www.westernfrontonline.com/vnews/display.v
http://www.wcls.org/index.htm“
Earlier report on this story WA Library TO File Motion to Quash FBI Subpoena
Three Cheers!
For the Whatcom County Library System! This is a perfect example of Federal resources being wasted on wild gooses. A bin-Laden quote was written in a bin-Laden bio. Not a threat against a target, not addresses or phone numbers of possible conspirators, just a lousy quote. In addition, as many Newzter have pointed out, a full circulation list, even if it could be produced, would not net the scribbler if he/she simply studied the book in the library.
Thankfully the FBI asked for this under an open court, grand jury suponea. If they come back for their information under USAPA sec. 215, we may never know. How many other pointless “leads” are being followed under the secrecy afforded by the Act? Remember, the FISA court has not EVER rejected a request for records.