In what apparently was a landmark session of State College Borough Council on Tuesday, a national political issue came up for debate, the first time such an event has occurred in the 110-year history of the borough by Mayor Bill Welch's estimation.

Council unanimously passed the "Keep State College Safe and Free" resolution Tuesday, which ostensibly protects the civil liberties of local citizens -- if in fact they weren't protected already.

The Centre Region Bill of Rights Defense Committee went to council last week asking members to take a position opposing the USA Patriot Act. In passing the resolution, all references to the Patriot Act were removed.

Regardless of one's political leanings with respect to the Patriot Act, the real debate here is why time was spent on this resolution at all. Borough Council member Elizabeth Goreham said the point of the resolution is to reaffirm the borough's beliefs in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.

Were either ever in question?

The resolution does not mention the Patriot Act but does express council's views on preserving civil liberties. The decision to do so will allow the resolution to remain timely until long after Patriot Act discussions are complete.

While it is understandable that council wanted to promote open dialogue between itself and members of the community, it should not have done so with a national issue such as this.

What's next for council? Tackling gay marriage and abortion?

Borough Council member Craig Humphrey brought up the point that "400 other places in the United States have already voted on resolutions similar to this one." This suggests that a main impetus of the resolution was to follow suit with other towns, a flimsy rationale at best.

After all, this is a resolution that will almost assuredly have no discernible impact on the town or its people. Its passing sends a symbolic message that council is dedicated to protecting its constituents' liberties, but appears it will do little else.

And while it's positive that this scenario lets citizens know they have a local forum for national issues, all this specific instance accomplished was to tie up the council's agenda.

In the midst of more pressing issues facing the borough such as the Urban Village revitalization plan and improving borough safety, perhaps such national issues should be tabled in the future.