Mr. Kishkunas’ Oct. 17 guest column, “Patriot Act works to protect American citizens, not oppress them,” challenges readers to find anyone whose privacy has been affected by the Patriot Act. The truth is, those whose rights have been violated will never know.

When people are served with a search warrant, that warrant states what may be taken and that the person whose possessions are searched must be informed. Under the Patriot Act, however, librarians and bankers are expressly forbidden from telling anyone the search has taken place. So if you’ve had your credit card and reading records scrutinized by FBI agents, you will never know. Mr. Kishkunas also states that Section 215 of the Patriot Act, the now well-known section which refers to searching libraries’ records, has never been invoked and cites Attorney General John Ashcroft as his information. This is likely not true, since Assistant Attorney General Viet Dinh testified one week earlier before the House Judiciary Committee that the number was closer to fifty.

Finally, Mr. Kishkunas’ assertion that all searches carried out under the Patriot Act must have permission from a federal court. This is true, but the court in question is often the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which not only is a “secret” court (its proceedings are classified information) but also is essentially the FBI’s rubber stamp to allow them to investigate whomever they desire — this court has only rarely refused to issue a requested warrant.

The issue at hand for many Americans is that the government is trying to increase its powers at the cost of its citizens’ freedom and privacy — and without telling us. If people stand idly by and watch while this keeps happening, all the while buying the government’s rationale that the only people who have anything to hide are criminals, before long we won’t be upset when someone yells at us through the telescreen and our neighbors are carried off for committing thoughtcrime.

Michael Falk

Graduate Student

Meteorology