John Ashcroft wants to know if you've read the Davinci Code

Under the Patriot Act the F.B.I. and other government agents can spy on the reading records of library or bookstore patrons as part of counterterrorism probes. A proposal by Representative Bernie Sanders (I-VT) would prevent such abuses.



However, the White House Office of Management and Budget said it would scuttle the entire Department of Commerce appropriation bill rather than allow Rep. Sanders' proposal to be considered, arguing that any weakening of the Patriot Act aids terrorists and other enemies of Freedom. "If any amendment that would weaken the USA Patriot Act were adopted and presented to the president for his signature, the president's senior advisors would recommend a veto," said a statement by the OMB.



Of course, given that less than half of Americans now read books (see the National Endowment for the Arts report Reading at Risk), I suppose Big Brother won't learn much from the average American's reading list.



Agence France Press: White House Moves to Protect Right to Spy on Readers