With thanks to the inimitable Peter Brantley:
----- Original Message ----- > The internet archive has won a push back against > a national security letter. GO BREWSTER, GO!!! > > http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/07/BA7C10IJ17.DTL > > "Brewster Kahle, who runs an online library in San Francisco, > was appalled when his volunteer lawyers told him in November > that the FBI was demanding records of all communications with > one of his patrons as part of an investigation of > "international terrorism or clandestine intelligence > activities." > > "The FBI document, called a national security letter, told > Kahle he could be prosecuted if he discussed the subject with > anyone but his lawyers, and allowed him to speak with his > attorneys only in person. Kahle said his Internet Archive, > which has 500,000 card-holders, doesn't even keep the records > the FBI was seeking. > > "He was allowed to speak publicly Wednesday under a rare > settlement in which the FBI agreed to withdraw its letter and > lift the gag order. That should show other librarians, and > members of the public who receive any of the nearly 50,000 > national security letters the government issues each year, > that "you can push back on these," Kahle said."