To the editor:

In the last few days, the Journal-World described the unreasonable investigation of local members of the Solidarity Anarchist group (J-W, July 24, Wednesday). Is there evidence a crime was committed? If not, why are these American citizens whose right to freely assemble is guaranteed by the Bill of Rights being scrutinized?

Who will be next?

Many people do not know that Section 215 of the “Patriot Act” allows the government to seize lists of books you have borrowed from libraries or bought from bookstores. The FBI does not need to show that probably a crime has been committed. It can seize these records based on rumor and innuendo.

It’s just silly to think our country will catch terrorists by looking at what they read. The only reason for such a law is to let all of us know that someone might be watching us. It casts a chilling effect on our freedom to read, to get information, to be exposed to all kinds of ideas.

Two weeks ago the U.S. House of Representatives voted on a bill to get rid of Section 215 and restore our freedom to read. It was a tie vote and therefore defeated. Rep. Dennis Moore (D) and Rep. Jerry Moran (R) voted for its elimination and Rep. Jim Ryun (R) and Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R) voted against restoring our freedom to read.

Pat Kehde,

Lawrence