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FBI: We're not spies By Myles Murphy Ashland Daily Tidings Despite words of reassurance from the FBI, some Ashlanders are still concerned about threats to their civil liberties stemming from the U.S. Patriot Act. "Any tightening of legislation is going to infringe on people's freedom," Elizabeth Paschen said Sunday following a community discussion of the impact of new federal legislation on public libraries. Nearly 200 people descended on the Unitarian Center on Fourth Street to hear Portland-based FBI Special Agent Charles Matthews, Jackson County Library Director Ronnie Lee Budge, Ashland Police Chief Scott Fleuter and former congressional candidate Peter Buckley discuss the changing role of libraries following the Patriot Act. FBI Special Agent Charles Matthews (right) takes a moment in attempt to reassure and Ashlander Sunday regarding the effects of the Patriot Act. Ashland Daily Tidings/MYLES MURPHY Librarians and library patrons across the country are concerned with the legislation, which grants the Feds greater leeway in obtaining library records and monitoring library Internet use, according to Budge. "We take the rights of and privileges of our patrons very seriously," Budge said. Matthews repeatedly said the bureau can not go on random "fishing trips" through library records or Internet use, and can only get a court order to investigate library records if they are relevant to an ongoing terrorism investigation. "It's a tool," Matthews said, adding that no library records have been accessed in Oregon to date. Budge said that records of patron library use are continually wiped from county files and Internet use is only lightly monitored. "Computer records don't track what people check out and we don't keep information on what Internet sites have been searched," Budge said. "On a practical level, there's just not a lot there. Should it come to it, probably the FBI is going to be disappointed." But Ashland Unitarian Center Rev. Patt Herdklotz - among others - was not reassured. "I don't want people leaving here and being complacent that our library records are protected," Herdklotz said, adding that Budge may not be the most expert person to speak on computer-related matters. Budge admitted she is not completely knowledgeable on the topic, and Matthews also showed a lack of specific information on how information can be retrieved from computerized library records. Buckley pointed at the long history of the federal government sacrificing individual rights for national security, and warned people to keep aware of the possibility today. "Is (the Patriot Act) making us more secure, or is it undermining the Constitution?" Buckley asked. Matthews was the focus of the audience for most of the meeting, reassuring people that a simple Internet search at a library would not put up red flags and trigger an FBI investigation. Taking off his FBI hat for a moment, Matthews said the checks and balances in the Patriot Act are sufficient civil liberty protection, but advised that the largest threat to civil liberties would be the creation of a domestic spying organization. "This is what you need to be worried about," Matthews said. "We do not need that here." Some in the audience were concerned that war protesters might come under investigation, especially those in contact with international protest groups. "How do I know I'm not already caught in a net." Ashlander Marilee Jenkensen asked. "You don't," Buckley answered, referring to a gag order which allows the government to access library records without immediately notifying patrons. But Matthews reiterated that no records will be accessed unless they are pertinent to an ongoing investigation. Finally, concern was voiced that the FBI might get access to some library patrons' records based on patrons having foreign-sounding names. "No, No, No. We're not going to do that," Matthews said. APD Chief Fleuter adopted a wait-and-see attitude, noting that he plans to consult with the city attorney if and when Patriot Act-related issues come up. For information on the relationship between libraries and the Patriot Act, see the League of American Libraries Web site www.ala.org/washoff/patriot.html. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -