New York Times - Library Suit

       Being involved in an E -Mail " controversy " at the Warwick Public

    Library, I wish to direct the editor's attention to a relevant article

    in THE NEW YORK TIMES ( Monday, March 2, page D 1) - by Amy Harmon :

       " Library Suit Becomes Key Test of Freedom to Use the Internet "

      Writes Harmon, ..." many Americans now count libraries as their sole

    source of Internet access... the case reflects  the Internet's remarkable

    capacity to animate ordinary Americans around a discussion of fundamental

    values."

         In fairness to " conservatives " in the the Loudon County, Virginia

    dispute: Does any half-decent want to see blatant pornography on

    a public library computer screen?

       The problem is soft-ware " filters " that do a cloddish job of

    keeping out that X-rated stuff.

        There is no " problem " with your own computer in the privacy of

    your own residence . The " filters " impose community standards of " decency "

    on the have nots in the public library.

        It is worth mentioning that our Constitution was temporarily housed in

    Loudon County during the War of 1812.

        Of course A.C.L.U lawyers are involved in the law suit. The American

    Library Association condemns the use of filter programs to " block

    constitutionally protected speech ".

       Question: does a California soft-ware corporation ( Log-On- Data )

    have a right to censor the Internet ?

        An adult determined to view pornography at a public library should

    have a private viewing room available . A little room with a green door ?

         Perhaps Common Sense -and democratic principles - together can

    solve these refreshingly new " constitutional " problems.

         Incidentally I have always considered the public library as one

    form of " socialism " that will persist in a relatively democratic, capitalist

    society.