Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Using Public Computers for Hate Letters
Oh yes. This is another popular use of public computers. Allowing the ranting crazies to write and send off hate mail. However, sometimes they do get caught.
Recently, a patron from Ohio was busted and sent to prison for 4 years for sending hate letters to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in addition to other people. The FBI nailed him using the public terminals at the library the man frequented. See the article here.
I have only slightly mixed feelings about using a public library's computers to catch the guy. Yes I am glad they caught this guy and sent him to prison. There is enough hate in the world. And many times, hate letter writers are working up to more violent acts (Unibomber anyone?). Seems to me that if you are using a taxpayer subsidized item which is shared by the general public, and you are using it in a public space like a library, you shouldn't have any expectation of privacy. Especially if you print to a shared printer.
On the other hand, there is something deep inside that says that libraries should be places of private thoughts and we should guard this temple zealously - i.e. check out records, computer data, etc. And usually I have these noble thoughts right about up to the time the FEDS come in looking for the crazy letter writer. A problem of the idealistic versus the practical. Something to ponder.
Recently, a patron from Ohio was busted and sent to prison for 4 years for sending hate letters to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in addition to other people. The FBI nailed him using the public terminals at the library the man frequented. See the article here.
I have only slightly mixed feelings about using a public library's computers to catch the guy. Yes I am glad they caught this guy and sent him to prison. There is enough hate in the world. And many times, hate letter writers are working up to more violent acts (Unibomber anyone?). Seems to me that if you are using a taxpayer subsidized item which is shared by the general public, and you are using it in a public space like a library, you shouldn't have any expectation of privacy. Especially if you print to a shared printer.
On the other hand, there is something deep inside that says that libraries should be places of private thoughts and we should guard this temple zealously - i.e. check out records, computer data, etc. And usually I have these noble thoughts right about up to the time the FEDS come in looking for the crazy letter writer. A problem of the idealistic versus the practical. Something to ponder.
Labels: computers, crazy patron, privacy
