We hear many reports coming out of the US regarding the loss of civil rights since 9/11. First responders have taken on a more aggressive and belligerent stance in the face of unrest or even minor lawlessness. We have all witnessed the change in attitude at the airports and borders and it is a bit frightening even for those of us who have nothing to hide.
Last Saturday there was a disturbing incident in Charlton Mass. that drives this point home. A young girl was traumatized when the police came knocking at the door looking for her and her dad's overdue library books. This is not a joke, meaning yes, it is true, and meaning that this is just the most ludicrous police action one could possibly imagine and is no laughing matter.
It is impossible to know where to begin in denouncing this incident.
Looking into the situation regarding overdue library books, it is a problem everywhere. It can be chalked up to forgetfulness, sloppiness, or petty theft. There is a simple solution, or two. The library could charge a rental fee that could be refundable or carried over to the next lending of books. Or, there could be a charge to have a library card in the first place and every time a book is unrecoverable, the cost of it comes off the card fee. Once the fee is depleted, no more borrowing until the account is 'topped up' or the books are returned.
It is time to get innovative instead of sending the police to harass youngsters.
It feels like we are only one step away from doing jail time for eating our salad with the wrong fork.
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