Sounds like this would be very easy to test. Go to a library and check out a copy. Or, even better, see if you can find someone who is allowed to check books out from UMass-Dartmouth and see what happens.

There could be one tiny bit of truth, you might have to leave your social security number. When I was in college in California in the '90s, it was my student ID number. If I'd asked for *any* book from the library, be it Mao's Little Red Book or the Little Engine that Could, I'd have had to leave it.
 

Haw! That's almost as risible as the prank story making the rounds today, about how the Patriot Act "was designed to" "protect our civil liberties."
 

Good catch. Thanks for monitoring Kos so we don't have to.
 

"...about how the Patriot Act "was designed to "protect our civil liberties."

Right, like your civil liberty to not be incinerated by having a jet crash into your place of work and leave a widow and three young kids. ASSHOLE!
 

Dear Crazy Man,
Re: the United States Constitution
When you stop punching your keyboard, try Google-searching the phrase "It became necessary to destroy the village in order to save it." The type of mentality that reduces the issue to "dumb dusty old laws, they get in the way, make plane go crashy-crashy" won't learn anything, of course. But I've got Google stock, and every hit helps. :-D
 

When you’re done with that, try this one: “The Constitution is not a suicide pact.”

Background: http://www.slate.com/id/2060342/
 

The best part of this story is that there are maroons who actually believe this tripe.

Let me guess, the idiot "Umass professors" who are shopping this bit of cr*p were student activists in the 1960s and 70s. The only thing they can recall from their years stoned out of their minds are a few words like "Mao" and "Little Red Book" so they still think that anyone in the federal government would actually waste resources tracking down some one tries to check it out of the library.

Maroons, pure unadulterated maroons.
 

I just sent the following to the author of the story in question...

Mr. Nicodemus,

Your article: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-05/12-17-05/a09lo650.htm

I read your article in Saturday's paper with interest. The charges leveled by the professors in question are very interesting and need to be followed up on. I do, however, have some concerns about the "facts" as you represent them. What we appear to have here does not even rise to the level of "he said/she said". It's just "he said". You have provided no investigative detail with the charge, you are simply providing a platform for a press release for these professors and doing so in a way that does not question their information in any way.

If you do not provide exact details of this incident, the story has exactly no credibility. You say you know the name of the student but have not spoken to him. You say the student is fearful of "repercussions". You accept the word of two history professors on its face without any secondary vetting. Mary Mapes would be proud.

I am not a reporter, I've never been to journalism school. I do have a couple of questions that I feel are germane to the "facts" you've presented.

Your supposed student says he/she is fearful, but of what?

What sort of "repercussions" could possibly be heaped upon a student majoring in history by a federal agency for checking out the book in question?

The student is fearful, but the professors are not? Can we assume that the professors are not because they have tenure? Or some other reason?

What is the political persuasion of the professors in question with regard to the Patriot Act? Is there any possibility that they may have an axe to grind here?

Has the particular book in question been checked out by other students and were they contacted?

What other books did the student in question check out? What is the borrower history on those books?

Assuming that the student in question did receive a visit, what other activities is that student involved in? Is it possible that the student's other activities triggered the visit and the book was simply another "pebble in the pile"?

With respect to agents in question, exactly when did they interview the student? What day, what time, for how long.

Where did the interview take place? In his/her room, on campus, did they detain the student and perform the interview at a police agency?

Who saw the agents with the student who could corroborate the story?

What were the agent's names?

If, in fact, this story is true it is a big deal. You'll get picked up by the Times. NY Times that is. If, as it appears to this observer, it's constructed by opponents of the Patriot Act to instill terror in public with regard to "government snooping", that too is a big deal. If that's the case, the professors in question deserve to lose their jobs because they've compromised their academic integrity with knowingly false allegations.

I look forward to hearing from you and reading your followup article on this subject that answers these and many more questions.

Michael Becker
Phoenix, AZ
 

I called this as a hoax as soon as I saw it.
http://www.pirate-king.com/episode/1067

what is very interesting is the change in google searches in the past week.

First it was all about the story. But about 3 days ago, every single search term concerning the story had the word "hoax" in it. So it looks like the word has gotten out!
 

I just came across your blog and wanted to drop you a note telling you how impressed I was with the information you have posted here.
I also have a web site & blog about special finance car loan
so I know what I'm talking about when I say your site is top-notch! Keep up the great work!
 

Ik waardeer de kans om een antique diamond ring post te verlaten.Byebye, Shirly antique diamond ring
 

I appreciate your blogs content. Gotta run.
car loan financing
 

Keep up your most awesome blogging skills.
car loan detroit
 

Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you!

I have a blood diamonds
site/blog. It pretty much covers blood diamonds
related stuff.

Come and check it out if you get time :-)
 

Discover How you Can Use Your Personal Power to Increase Your Subconscious Energy and Prosperity..Do You Want To Change Your Life... Do you need help in the following areas: College , College, College, College , College , College , and College ... Then quit procrastinating and Become the person you want to be.. I am Glad that you let me post on your site.. My goal in life is to teach people how to succeed in life with simple goal setting and motivation techniques....
 

Eine Scho?oberseite zu haben bedeutet das ganzes financial aid for single mothers, das Sie erhalten k?nnen.With Compliments, Windy financial aid for single mothers
 

Your Blog. It's nice . If you have a mortgage issue, I'm sure you'd be interested in http://thehomemortgageguide.com Start planning for the future equity home loan mortgage
 

Cuando primero consegu? interesado en ?l, hab?a tanto aprender. Cuanto m?s que s?, m?s las preguntas tengo.Genuinely, Kyle aes student loans
 

Hi thanks for your blog, I liked it! I also have a blog/site about pre approved car loans
that covers pre approved car loans
related stuff. Please feel free to visit.
 

Shop, compare and save on your next home mortgage, refinance, auto loan, payday loan advance and even personal credit lines. Regardless of your prior credit, you can qualify for a better loan at a better rate by shopping and comparing our extensive site of lenders. Fill out a no obligation, simple one page application and get a FREE rate quote. We specialize in great low rates for those with poor or bad credit, even no credit at all. Good credit customers can expect the lowest rates available.

Don't delay, come to www.nwcleasing.com and apply today and get an instant decision and lock in your lowest possible rate.