CIPA goes to court

KappaStargirl · #1 03-26-2002, 05:08 PM

While GreekChat was down, a landmark case for intellectual freedom went to trial. The American Library Association and the Multnomah County, Oregon, Library Association are the two primary litigants in a case that is out to prove that the Children's Internet Protection Act is unconstitutional.

This act requires that all libraries that receive federal E-rate funding (a discounted service for Internet access) must install filtering software (censorware) on ALL their computers, not just the ones that are intended for use by children. What's wrong with this?

1) There is no technology available that blocks all offensive sites, and even if it did...

2) What's offensive to one person may not be to another. Some say Harry Potter is satanic, others say it's just a good story about a boy wizard coming of age. In addition to this debate, a lot of constitutionally protected speech is blocked by filters.

3) People without strong economic resources are dependent on their local libraries for information. Censorware blocks a lot of sites like Planned Parenthood, which people may depend on for accurate health information. Libraries which don't have a lot of money are dependent on the Internet to keep up on the latest information, since they may not be able to buy as many books. Internet filtering further widens the gap between those who "have" and those who "have not."

4) Even if these filters were only for children's computers, who is the government to say what kids can or can't look at. The only people who can truly answer that question are the parents. Parents often drop their kids off at the local library for hours after school, thinking that their children are safe, when in fact the library is not equipped to take care of children. I am no one's parent and do not intend to police children's internet use based on my beliefs.

As a librarian, intellectual freedom is one of the things I care about most. Equal access to information is what keeps us free. You can read more about this at the ALA's CIPA website or at ABC news or CNN.

What are your thoughts?

Tom Earp · #2 03-26-2002, 05:58 PM

MY 2 Most Favorite words are F&*^$%#@ and Morons! Put them together and what do you have? ACLU!

BLUTANG · #3 03-27-2002, 01:36 PM

be back with thoughts and comments on CIPA

off topic, yet related... KappaStargirl, i am about to start an MLS program this summer. PM me when u get a chance!

KarenC725 · #4 03-27-2002, 02:18 PM

Just had this conversation with my mother (who is director of the library after YEARS of Youth librarian). I feel the same way you do Kappa...

justamom · #5 03-27-2002, 02:41 PM

I can't be as eloquent as Tom, but may I say DITTO to his response!

Granted, there are excellet points of debate on BOTH sides.

Peaches-n-Cream · #6 03-27-2002, 03:11 PM

Personally, I don't see the problem with the ACLU, with all due respect President Tom Earp.

I'm concerned about the pornography that proliferates the internet. Have you ever searched the word 'sorority'? The websites that come up make my skin crawl. I am also concerned about censorship. I know that some of these filters will stop people from researching things like breast cancer. There are more questions than solutions in this debate. The ironic thing is any computer savvy child can find ways around these filters if they want to rendering them virtually useless.

Optimist Prime · #7 03-27-2002, 05:46 PM

Uh...Tom, I don' t think the ACLU is invloved in this one.

KappaStargirl · #8 03-27-2002, 06:31 PM

stirring up some more trouble...

1) Porn (consenting adults) is constitutionally protected speech. Child pornography and obscenity are not. Filters block both.

2) Porn only makes up something like 2.5 percent of the internet.

Optimist Prime is right, the ACLU is not involved with this case.

3) Filters do not block images without text. I can get porn without any trouble just by doing an image search on Google.

Tom Earp · #9 03-27-2002, 07:20 PM

I have No use for the ACLU! Sorry but that is the Way I Feel!

You as a parent, teacher, or Police Officer Cannot do anything to anyone! If you are a parent, you cannot punish your children or they can turn you in for child abuse, you go to jail! If you are a teacher and you punish a child you are Fired! If you are Police Officer, you cannot chase the bad guy for fear of them causing a wreck you are suspended! You cannot have the 10 Commandments on anything having to do with Govt! But yet In God We Trust is On Our American Currency!

I do not a DAMN if You are Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Islamic, Buddist, ETC. There is a beleif in all religions of one Supreme beomg!! Well except Pagananism or Druidism!

I really think we are all evolved from the men from Mars or ET!

justamom · #10 03-27-2002, 08:10 PM

Billy-OUh...Tom, I don' t think the ACLU is invloved in this one.

Well Tom, should I take this one?

Billy, yes, the ACLU is involved. Just go to GOOGLE -type in internet censorship and ACLU and see what you pull up! Tons of articles if anyone is really interested.

edited to add-Today on Fox, they reported a child suing his parent on SMOKING! There is a court order that not only must the mother STOP SMOKING RIGHT NOW-but she is NOT to take her child to any INSTITUITION (rest. fo example) where smoking is allowed> Why...WHY??? Becaue he said smoking "bothered" him. Now, the question is-How far can the HUSBAND go if he "suspects" the wife is sneaking a smoke. She can NOT smoke period because of the residual odor.

Optimist Prime · #11 03-28-2002, 11:21 AM

Tom, Buddhism doesn't believe in one supreme being. From my understanding, Druidism does. Some pagans do too.
The ACLU is very valuble, it seems i was mistatken, I"m glad they're involved. Punishing children is different from abuse, and those who would hurt children, any children, are sick. I will say this though, no where we go when we die, it has to be good for EVERYONE because NOBODY ever came back.

I think any one should be able to look at porn if they want to, even in the library, as long as they wipe off the keyboard.

SilverTurtle · #12 03-28-2002, 02:17 PM

KappaStar-

I agree with you 100%... I'm sick of parents thinking that other people are responsible for their children.

Do I think that children's sections of libraries should have filters... yes. But not all computers... that is ridiculous.

But I can't put it much better than you did.

Tom- the ACLU may be a little ridiculous sometimes.. but someone has to protect citizen's rights.... our politicians aren't.

JAM- that is crazy! I can't believe they allowed that suit. Although second hand smoke is bad for people (I'm a fan of no smoking indoors anywhere), it does seem extreme.