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Should Library Users Be Required to Show ID? | 51 comments (51 topical)

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Inane (5.00 / 1) (#29)
by LarryE on Mon Feb 18, 2008 at 05:08:46 PM EST
I suspect I know New Bedford better than others who have commented, including Scribe. I lived in NB for two years and have lived within 45 minutes of it for over 20. My ex-wife has a house there.

I know the library to which the article refers (including the fact that it is not "the" library but the main branch of the library), indeed I have been in the room pictured in the NYT article. So yes, I do know New Bedford - including its politics (about which my ex keeps me informed).

The mayor's proposal is a crock. It's unenforceable. It's ridiculously overbroad. It's pandering. It's an attempt to take political advantage of a tragedy, an attempt that will feed on itself as others try to show that they are even more concerned about "the safety of the children" than the next politico until it generates legislation so sweeping that it will get struck down by the courts - but no one now making the noise will care because the political points will already have been scored.

It's inane.

And to answer the original question directly, no, you should not have to show ID to enter a public library any more than you should have to show one to enter a post office or to walk down a public street.

Well said, and you might well be right. (none / 0) (#30)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Feb 18, 2008 at 05:16:49 PM EST
But considering the scenario you paint, what other choice is there?

Tragedy occurs. Citizenry demands action. Politician provides action. Politician survives.

If the pol doesn't provide action, he'll be fed to the wolves/lose his position, and another pol will take his place who will provide action.

[ Parent ]

Well (none / 0) (#33)
by LarryE on Mon Feb 18, 2008 at 05:33:16 PM EST
what other choice is there?

Well, how about some political courage? How about some rationality? How about - hmmm, I see your point.

But more seriously, this wasn't a case of a politician jumping on a bandwagon of public demands for action about libraries. This was a case of the mayor hitching up the team in the first place.

[ Parent ]

Fair enough, as you point out you are closer (none / 0) (#34)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Feb 18, 2008 at 05:37:01 PM EST
to the action than any of us. There really wasn't any citizenry who wanted "something done" in response to the rape?

[ Parent ]
Clarifying (5.00 / 1) (#39)
by LarryE on Mon Feb 18, 2008 at 06:21:27 PM EST
There wasn't any citizenry who wanted "something done" in response to the rape?

Of course there was, there was the expected outrage about "sex offenders" with the usual "once a sex offender, always a sex offender" undercurrent.

But note that I specifically mentioned libraries in the above. That was the topic and that came straight from the mayor.

Note, too, that besides libraries, the ordinance also makes video arcades and playgrounds "automatic no trespass" zones and the city council is expected to add "places like carnivals." All justified on the grounds that they are places "where children gather." Why, then, not include malls? Candy stores? Video stores? Parades? Any similar public event? Why not public streets?

Note well I'm not saying that you are advocating any of that. It's rather than I'm pointing out, again, how this sort of mania can feed on itself until it goes from offensive to inane to insane.

The McMartins and the Amaralts can tell about what happens when legitimate concern about children's safety turns to panic.

[ Parent ]

Should Library Users Be Required to Show ID? | 51 comments (51 topical)

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