Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Economics trumped human rights in U.S. security deal, says Manley
"Canada's economic health, not civil liberties, was the chief concern in a cross-border security deal with the United States in the wake of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, says the former deputy prime minister." Yahoo has this article.
The Proposal to Reauthorize and Expand Parts of the USA PATRIOT Act: Why It's Unnecessary and, In Some Respects, Dangerous
"The reasons why these provisions are controversial - they trample on Fourth Amendment and privacy rights, as I discussed in a prior column - are reasons not to renew them." FindLaw.com has this commentary.
Monday, May 30, 2005
Big Brother Tries to Muscle ISPs
"The Bush administration asks a federal court to restore its ability to force internet service providers to give up customer data. Feds want to hide details of the case from the public." Wired has this article.
Congress set to tighten web of security measur
"As Congress considers renewing key sections of the sweeping antiterrorism Patriot Act this year, its members should recall a wise directive from the distinguished 9/11 commission." The Philadelphia Inquirer issued this editorial.
Two Accused of Conspiring to Aid Terrorists
The Washington Post reports: "The FBI arrested a Florida doctor and a New York martial arts expert on federal terrorism charges, saying they conspired to treat and train terrorists, prosecutors announced Sunday."
Trying to Thwart Possible Terrorists Quickly, F.B.I. Agents Are Often Playing Them
"Ron Grecula did not try to hide his disdain for the "wicked" American government when he sat in a Houston hotel room two weeks ago with two men claiming to be terrorist operatives linked to Al Qaeda." The NYTimes has this story.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
It's a New World, and Everybody Gets to Play Maxwell Smart
"Billions of dollars have been poured into homeland security by the cabinet department of the same name, the Pentagon, law enforcement and corporations. With so much money available, more than 500 exhibitors at a security conference here last week were out to reap their share." The NYTimes has this coverage.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
White House Wants Search Limits Overturned
"The Bush administration asked a federal appeals court Friday to restore its ability to compel Internet service providers to turn over information about their customers or subscribers as part of its fight against terrorism." AP reports here.
Friday, May 27, 2005
Youths Take On Homeland Security
"Can the government detain an American citizen for six hours without an explanation? 20-year-old Asmaa Elshinawy and other plaintiffs are suing the Department of Homeland Security to find out." Wiretap has this article.
For Security, the Eyes Have It
"International travelers should get used to having their fingerprints taken or their irises scanned because traditional airport security tests are outdated and open to abuse, a leading U.S. official said Thursday." Wired has this article.
Little Progress in Bid to Extend Patriot Act
"The Senate Intelligence Committee failed to reach final agreement on Thursday on a proposal that would expand the Federal Bureau of Investigation's powers to demand records and monitor mailings in terror investigations, but officials said they were confident that the committee would come to a consensus on the issue." The NYTimes has this account.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Why Police and the FBI Should Be Wary to Use the "Person of Interest" Designation: The Label Destroys Lives, Yet Provides Little Benefit
"The Department of Justice has long maintained strong policies against identifying suspects in pending investigations. One major reason for this policy is lots of 'suspects' turn out, as Mr. Lutner did, to be perfectly innocent - yet the stigma of the 'suspect' label may linger after they are publicly exonerated. Or, worse, these 'suspects' may never be publicly exonerated, even though internally, the investigators have come to believe they are innocent." FindLaw.com has this commentary.
Council gives Patriot Act resolution chilly reception
"The Human Relations Commission has asked City Council to pass a resolution expressing concern with sections of the federal government's Patriot Act that may violate rights of citizens." The Grand Rapids Press has this account.
Editorial | Don't spin a web of secrecy
"As Congress considers renewing key sections of the sweeping antiterrorism Patriot Act this year, its members should recall a wise directive from the distinguished 9/11 commission." The Philadelphia Inquirer has this editorial.
In terrorism fight, government finds a surprising ally: FedEx
"Before Sept. 11, 2001, when federal law-enforcement officials asked FedEx Corp. for help, the company had its limits. It wouldn't provide access to its databases. It often refused to lend uniforms or delivery trucks to agents for undercover operations, citing fears of retribution against employees as well as concerns about customer privacy." The Wall Street Journal reports here.
Expansion ahead for Patriot Act?
"Debate over the Patriot Act heated up Tuesday as the Senate Intelligence Committee prepared a bill to renew the act's powers and add broader authority for the FBI to search private and business records without a judge's approval." The Bradenton Herald has this article.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Oregon senator voices Patriot Act concerns
The Olympian reports: "Sen. Ron Wyden is asking the Senate Intelligence Committee to open up a scheduled closed-door session to rewrite sections of the USA Patriot Act later this week."
Patriot Act gets heated debate
"Debate over the Patriot Act heated up Tuesday as the Senate Intelligence Committee prepared a bill to renew the act's powers and add broader authority for the FBI to search private and business records without a judge's approval." The Detroit Free Press has this account.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Business Travel Minute: Airport Security
"Joe Sharkey takes a peek at new security machines that, well, take a peek. These devices can see through your clothing." The NYTimes has this video report.
A baby is saved, but is Patriot Act to credit?
AP reports: "The rescue of a baby ripped from her strangled mother's womb is being heralded by the Justice Department as reason to extend provisions of the Patriot Act."
NYC abandons plan to ban subway photography
"A proposal to ban cameras in subways to prevent terrorism has been dropped by police and transit officials." AP reports here.
Senate Panel Set to Debate Patriot Act
The Washington Post reports: "The long political battle over the USA Patriot Act will enter a new phase this week as the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence debates whether to approve a bill that not only would renew the anti-terrorism law, but also would give the FBI significant new powers in conducting counterterrorism and counterintelligence investigations."
Monday, May 23, 2005
Civil Rights Groups Sue Over OAS Protest
AP reports: "Civil rights groups have sued Fort Lauderdale and Broward County over an ordinance that would restrict protests at next month's Organization of American States meeting, saying it stifles free speech."
Husbands, wives, and the fourth amendment
"When a wife says yes, and her husband says no, who wins? We're talking courtrooms, not bedrooms, and we're talking specifically of Georgia v. Randolph. Last month the Supreme Court decided to hear the case." TheSouthern.com has this op-ed.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
The USA PATRIOT Act
"The USA PATRIOT Act broadly expands law enforcement's surveillance and investigative powers and represents one of the most significant threats to civil liberties, privacy and democratic traditions in U.S. history." The Electronic Frontier Foundation has this overview of the Patriot Act.
15 NJ towns, 2 counties oppose Patriot Act provisions
"As Congress considers whether to expand government powers to fight terrorism, 15 New Jersey municipalities and two counties are opposing portions of the USA Patriot Act, and state lawmakers are considering similar action." AP reports here.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Plan to Let F.B.I. Track Mail in Terrorism Inquiries
"The F.B.I. would gain broad authority to track the mail of people in terror investigations under a Bush administration proposal, officials said Friday, but the Postal Service is already raising privacy concerns about the plan." The NYTimes has this article.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Library card? Check. Fingerprint? Really?
"Citing security, Naperville libraries will make patrons prove their identities before using computers. Privacy advocates fear misuse of the data." The Chicago Tribune reports here.
Fingerprinting Airline Passengers
"There's a new level of security at Sea-Tac Airport aimed at keeping track of foreigners visiting the United States." Seattle's KomoTV has this report.
Democrats Fault Plan for F.B.I.
The NYTimes reports: "Several Democrats voiced strong objections on Thursday to a plan by the Bush administration and Republican leaders for expanding the Federal Bureau of Investigation's counterterrorism powers and said they would fight to have the issue fully debated in public rather than behind closed doors in the Senate."
Roberts leads Patriot Act renewal effort
"Roberts, R-Kan., is proposing that the FBI be given new powers to issue 'administrative subpoenas' — which are not reviewed by a judge or grand jury — to quickly obtain evidence in terror investigations." The Lawrence Journal-World has this account.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Florida sheriff accused of targeting liberal, anti-war protesters
"The American Civil Liberties Union claims political bias in the surveillance work of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office at public rallies and protests by targeting liberal and anti-war groups." AP reports here.
When You Refuse to Consent to a Police Search, Can Your Spouse Override That Refusal?
"Last month, the Supreme Court decided to review Georgia v. Randolph. The case asks the following question: if a husband refuses to give police consent to search his house, may the police get consent from his wife and then go ahead with the search? This question is important because a large number (perhaps the overwhelming majority) of warrantless searches are conducted on the basis of consent." FindLaw.com has this commentary.
Calif. Students Settle Suit Vs. School
"Three students were awarded $20,000 each in a settlement of a lawsuit that alleged police illegally searched and questioned them at their high school during a crackdown on gang violence, the American Civil Liberties Union said Wednesday." Yahoo has this AP account.
ACLU to Police: Show You're Not Spying
"The American Civil Liberties Union demanded Wednesday that Denver police prove they are not using officers assigned to counterterrorism duties to spy on activists." AP reports here.
Librarian's brush with FBI shapes her view of the USA Patriot Act
"On June 8, 2004, an FBI agent stopped at the Deming branch of the Whatcom County Library System in northwest Washington and requested a list of the people who had borrowed a biography of Osama bin Laden." USA Today reports here.
Plan Would Broaden F.B.I.'s Terror Role
The NYTimes reports: "The Bush administration and Senate Republican leaders are pushing a plan that would significantly expand the F.B.I.'s power to demand business records in terror investigations without obtaining approval from a judge, officials said on Wednesday."
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Communities Condemn Patriot Act Renewal; Congress Reviews Secretly
"Within days of Colorado lawmakers passing a joint resolution calling on Congress to change key provisions of the USA Patriot Act, the US Senate announced it would take its review of the controversial law behind closed doors." The New Standard has this story.
The Plot to Make the PATRIOT Act Even Worse
"In a stunning slap at the democratic legislative process, the Senate Intelligence Committee, headed by Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kansas), has suddenly and quietly scheduled a closed-door session for this Thursday to mark up its version of a renewed USA PATRIOT ACT, the frankenstein legacy of former Attorney General John Ashcroft and his then assistant Michael Chertoff (now secretary of Homeland Security)." Counterpunch.org has this article.
Senate panel to start work on renewing Patriot Act
"A Senate committee said on Tuesday it would start the process of renewing the USA Patriot Act, which expanded security powers after the Sept. 11 attacks, but ran into criticism for holding the meetings in secret." Reuters reports here.
Voters back changes in Patriot Act
"WILLIAMSTOWN -- Voters at last night's annual town meeting approved resolutions opposing provisions of the USA Patriot Act, and urging the withdrawal of Massachusetts National Guard units from Iraq." The Berkshire Eagle has this account.
Protesters Subjected To 'Pretext Interviews'
"New FBI documents to be released today show that anti-terrorism agents who questioned antiwar protesters last summer in Denver were conducting 'pretext interviews' that did not lead to any information about criminal activity." The Washington Post reports:
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Real ID: A License to Kill
"Well, congratulations, America, you finally did it. You finally collapsed into absolute tyranny. Last week, Congress defended freedom by sneaking the Real ID Act into an $82 billion military spending bill." The Conservative Voice has this op-ed.
Clearing the air on the Patriot Act
"When Congress passed the Patriot Act just 45 days after September 11, we recognized that some of the powers allowed were extraordinarily intrusive and eroded our normal system of checks and balances." Bob Barr has this commentary in The Washington Times.
USA PATRIOT Act Rewards ChoicePoint
"Most Americans give their uncritical approval to renewing the USA PATRIOT Act, passed hastily by Congress in the aftermath of 9/11. Few realize that key provisions of the measure put every American's private personal data into the hands of the very bunglers so heartily vilified in recent months for selling, losing and misplacing hundreds of thousands of consumers' records." Consumer Affairs has this article.
Monday, May 16, 2005
'Real ID' Faces Reality
"The federal government wants driver's licenses that are more trustworthy and tech-enabled. State IT leaders will have to figure out how to make that happen." Information Week has this article.
ACLU: Brevard sheriff targeted liberal protesters
ABCactionnews.com reports: "The American Civil Liberties Union claims political bias in the surveillance work of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office at public rallies and protests by targeting liberal and anti-war groups."
Gonzales Earns Praise, Despite Lack of Policy Change
"New Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales has urged Congress to renew the controversial USA Patriot Act, has jumped into the fierce partisan battle over judicial nominations and has rejected Democratic demands to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate allegations of torture against U.S. detainees." The Washington Post has this story.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Senators Say Bush Lags on Creating Terror Panel
The NYTimes reports: "The White House has been slow to establish an oversight board charged with ensuring that the government's campaign against terrorism does not erode privacy and civil rights, a bipartisan group of senators said in a letter released Friday."
Friday, May 13, 2005
Mayor won't sign letter urging USA Patriot Act changes
The Oregonian reports: "Two weeks after leading a vote to remove Portland officers from the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force, Mayor Tom Potter has declined to join his City Council colleagues in signing a letter calling for sweeping changes to the USA Patriot Act."
Should Congress allow the Patriot Act to expire? Yes.
"According to President Bush, terrorism stems from hatred for America and its way of life -- a hatred that in his analysis either has no basis, or was born out of a fundamentalist version of Islam. Working from that analysis, the administration sees better intelligence and punitive measures as the way to combat terrorism. Even if the Patriot Act did marginally help against terrorism, the administration is still missing a more effective way." The Provo Daily Herald has this op-ed.
ID Card Trick: Can we count on the DMV to foil terrorists?
"Ideally, the debate about national ID cards should have happened before Congress approved them. But better late than never." Reason has this article.
Can We Stop Zabasearch -- and Similar Personal Information Search Engines?: When Data Democratization Verges on Privacy Invasion
"In this column, I will address several questions: Why Is Zabasearch currently legal in the United States? And should it remain legal? Or should legislatures and courts prevent such records (or at least some types of personal data) from being searchable online?" Findlaw.com has this analysis.
U.S. Had Doubts About Lesser Case Against Terror Suspects
"Last December, after a high-profile federal terrorism prosecution in Detroit collapsed amid accusations of government misconduct, the Justice Department resorted to a backup plan. Prosecutors brought much less serious charges of insurance fraud against a pair of one-time terror suspects from Morocco, accusing the men of falsely reporting injuries in a minor car accident." The NYTimes has this article.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
The ChoicePoint Dilemma: Can We Protect Our Privacy Through Legal Solutions? Or Is Technology Now Beyond Our Control?
"Recently, Atlanta-based ChoicePoint - one of the world's largest data warehouses - saw its network illegally accessed by a ring of Nigerian scam artists. When this occurred, many Americans were forced to confront an ugly truth that privacy advocates have understood for a long time: Personal privacy, as we have known, understood, and applied it for years, is on life support. Can we change the law to better protect privacy? Or will rapidly changing technology defy our attempts to do so?" Bob Barr has this commentary at Findlaw.com.
National ID Battle Continues
Wired reports: "Legislation supporting a standardized national driver's license may have won unanimous approval in the Senate on Tuesday, but the bill's apparently smooth passage left some jagged edges in its wake."
Cummings hosts town meeting on Patriot Act
"To ensure that it is not used against law-abiding people, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-7th) wants federal lawmakers to reconsider aspects of the Patriot Act, portions of which are due to expire this year." The Community Times has this story.
Rights threatened by Patriot Act, famed attorney warns
"Famed defense attorney Bobby Lee Cook of Summerville told a Forsyth County audience that the U.S. Patriot Act is compromising individual freedoms that have been protected by the Constitution." The Forsyth County News has this account.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Defense: FBI ignored terror suspect's claims of torture
AP reports: "FBI agents who obtained a confession from a Virginia man that he joined al-Qaida and plotted to assassinate President George W. Bush ignored his claims of being tortured by Saudi authorities, according to defense motions."
Critics Ask Congress to Temper Patriot Act
"Critics of the USA Patriot Act on Tuesday called for the Senate to temper the anti-terrorism law's provisions that let police conduct secret searches of people's homes or businesses, but defenders say since no abuses have been documented the law should be renewed." AP reports here.
Patriot Act absent from rights claims
"The Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General has received 7,000 complaints of civil rights violations by federal officials, but only one investigation pertains to how the FBI has used the Patriot Act." The Washington Times has this story.
Laxative-aided search ruled unreasonable
"Milwaukee police conducted an unreasonable search of a suspect when they forced him to ingest laxative in order to pass a plastic bag of heroin he swallowed during a drug bust, the state Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday." The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has this account.
Senate Backs Measure to Tighten ID Requirements
The Washington Post reports: "The Real ID Act, which the Senate approved yesterday, would make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to obtain identification that the federal government will recognize when they try to board an airplane, fill out tax forms or open a bank account. But the measure would affect U.S. citizens as well."
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
National ID Cards Won't Stop Terrorism or Illegal Immigration
"The US House of Representatives passed a spending bill last week that contains provisions establishing a national ID card, and the Senate is poised to approve the measure in the next few days. This week marks the American public’s last chance to convince their Senators they don’t want to live in a nation that demands papers from its citizens as they go about their lives." Rep. Ron Paul has this op-ed in The Baltimore Chronicle.
No Real Debate for Real ID
"Hundreds of civil liberties groups, immigrant support groups and government associations oppose the Real ID Act, a piece of legislation that critics say would produce a de facto national ID card, cost states millions of dollars and punish undocumented immigrants. Yet despite widespread opposition to the bill, it passed through the House last week and is expected to easily pass through the Senate on Tuesday." Wired has this story.
Congress plans scrutiny of Patriot Act
CNET News.com reports: "Both the Senate and House of Representatives have scheduled hearings on Tuesday that are part of an extended process of reviewing the portions of the 2001 law that are scheduled to expire on Dec. 31. Many of those 16 portions deal with computer and Internet surveillance."
Residents make push for repeal of Patriot Act
"Having failed two years ago to pass a resolution opposing the war in Iraq, some residents now want the Common Council to weigh in on another national debate -- the USA Patriot Act." The Stamford Advocate has this article.
Bid to put limit on pepper spray
"The eight anti-logging protesters who won a jury verdict, and $8 in damages, for having their eyes swabbed with liquid pepper spray will now ask a federal judge to ban police use of the caustic chemical against nonviolent demonstrators in Humboldt County." The San Francisco Chronicle reports here.
Homeland Security Information Network Criticized
The Washington Post reports: "A Department of Homeland Security network that shares classified information with intelligence and law enforcement agencies was put together too quickly to ensure it can protect the information, according to the department's acting inspector general."
Monday, May 09, 2005
The REAL ID Act: How It Violates U.S. Treaty Obligations, Insults International Law, Undermines Our Security, and Betrays Eleanor Roosevelt's Legacy
"It [REAL ID] will fundamentally reshape the U.S.'s policies governing the admittance and removal of foreigners from our country. And this change, in turn, will alter the way the rest of the world thinks about the United States." Findlaw.com has this commentary.
Free Societies Must Balance Security, Civil Liberties, Bush Says
"Look, a free society such as ours, obviously, must balance the government's most important duty, which is to protect the American people from harm, with the civil liberties of our citizens. And every law we passed that was aimed to protect us in this new era of threats from abroad and the willingness for people to kill without mercy has been scrutinized and, of course, balanced by our Constitution." President Bush made these comments May 8 in Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Your Identity, Open to All
"A search for personal data on ZabaSearch.com -- one of the most comprehensive personal-data search engines on the net -- tends to elicit one of two reactions from first-timers: terror or curiosity. Which reaction often depends on whether you are searching for someone else's data, or your own." Wired has this article.
Patriot's second act opening
"Congress will begin hearings this week on renewing the USA Patriot Act. While some want changes, the debate shouldn't be as caustic this time around." The Miami Herald has this article.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Elation in Harlem as Girl Held in Terror Inquiry Is Released
The New York Times reports: "It began with two 16-year-old immigrant girls arrested at dawn, detained far from home, and, in a chilling government assertion, called would-be suicide bombers who posed 'an imminent threat to the security of the United States.' But now, after holding the girls for six weeks in a Pennsylvania detention center, the government has quietly released one of the girls and is allowing the other to leave the country with her family."
Friday, May 06, 2005
Bloomington Resolutions Oppose Iraq War, Patriot Act, Seek Higher Minimum Wage
"We speak with a member of the Bloomington City Council which has passed several bills and resolutions opposing the invasion of Iraq and the Patriot Act, promoting fair elections through a verifiable paper trail and seeking a higher minimum wage." Democracy Now! has this interview.
Domestic Passport: The new national ID
"Congressional Republican hotheads have lined up some of their favorite targets. They intend to go after immigrants, states' rights and privacy all in one legislative shot." The Seattle Post-Intelligencer has this editorial.
Real ID Act edges closer to passage
"Civil liberties groups such as the ACLU say they are concerned that the standardized licenses created by the act would amount to a national ID card that could be used to track residents' movements and habits." USA Today has this article.
Privacy in America: Are you being watched? Go inside the changing nature of privacy in America... next time on NOW.
"On Friday, May 6, 2005 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings), NOW examines the changing nature of privacy in America from the Patriot Act to the corporate control of personal information. The program features interviews with two opinionated voices and compelling thinkers from both sides of the political spectrum: actress, comedienne and activist Janeane Garofalo and former Republican Congressman Bob Barr. David Brancaccio talks to Garofalo about what she calls the 'radicalization of the government.' Barr, who testified in front of Congress this week about the reauthorization of the Patriot Act, discusses the dangers of broadened law enforcement powers to privacy and civil liberties in the name of the war on terror." Check local listings at http://www.pbs.org/now/sched.html.
Outgoing official's words of advice: Keep Patriot Act
"The USA Patriot Act is 'crucial' to stopping terrorist attacks, and repealing sections of it, as sought by civil rights groups and some members of Congress, would be a mistake, says the Justice Department official who helped guide the nation's war on terrorism." The Washington Times has this account.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Under Your Skin: Part One
"Identity theft, credit card fraud and invasion of personal privacy are growing problems that affect millions of people every year. One company claims it has the solution: a chip implanted under your skin to verify your identity." WISH-TV has this report.
Industry says no need for more privacy laws
"Representatives from ChoicePoint, LexisNexis, Bank of America, and other companies plagued by mass theft of customers' personal data testified Wednesday at a congressional hearing on identity theft." Market Watch has this article.
Ashcroft stands by Patriot Act, raises money for Utah pals
The Salt Lake Tribune reports: "Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft continued his spirited defense of the often-criticized Patriot Act on Wednesday, while at the same time helping Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff raise some campaign cash and pumping up Sen. Orrin Hatch as he embarks on another re-election campaign."
Council rejects Patriot Act repeal
"APPLETON — Although it rang of saying no to mother, apple pie and the flag, Appleton Common Council members said no to weakening the national USA Patriot Act." Wisconsin's Post-Crescent reports here.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
DHS chief floats idea of collecting private citizens' information
"Call it Total Information Awareness, homeland-style. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff this week floated an idea to start a nonprofit group that would collect information on private citizens, flag suspicious activity, and send names of suspicious people to his department." GOVEXEC.com has this article from April 29, 2005.
Patriot Act's renewal unites unlikely allies
"Congress is moving steadily toward re-enactment of the USA Patriot Act, which gave the federal government extensive search and surveillance powers to fight terrorism. But there are a few surprises." Knight Ridder reports here.
`USA Patriot Act' seen as both eye-catching, tough to criticize
"What gets people worked up about the USA Patriot Act? Maybe the name is a big part of the controversy." Yahoo has this article.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Barr Urges Change to Part of Patriot Act
"A former Republican congressman urged lawmakers Tuesday to limit the government's ability to search for evidence without immediately telling the investigation's target, a part of the USA Patriot Act that Congress is reconsidering." AP reports here.
When is violent speech still free speech?
"The case of Ali al-Timimi, an extremist Muslim scholar, tests our Constitution at a time when the fear of terrorism can blur the lines." Jonathan Turley has this op-ed.
Ashcroft forms security firm in Washington
"Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, a chief architect of the Bush administration's anti-terrorism policies, is going into the security business." Reuters reports here.
Ad Execs Want to Track Every Move
"Marketers are testing new techniques to measure whether advertisers' messages are getting across, and they are prepared to spend vast sums and deploy astonishingly complex technologies to do so." Wired has this article.
Congress May Require Closer Scrutiny to Get a Driver's License
The New York Times reports: "Congress is moving quickly toward setting strict rules on how states issue driver's licenses, requiring them to verify whether each applicant for a new license or a renewal is in this country legally."
Monday, May 02, 2005
It's time to change Patriot Act
"Congress certainly has had its hands full lately, particularly with the pressing needs to protect the citizenry from the dangers of an independent federal judiciary and the House majority leader from an investigation into his ethics. But time's running out on another issue, the USA Patriot Act." The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has this commentary.
Patriot Act Stirs Prosecutors, Local Governments
"GREENWICH, Conn. -- U.S. Attorney Kevin O'Connor has given this speech all over the state. This time he's speaking to attorneys at a yacht club in this bastion of privilege, trying to dispel widespread fears about the anti-terrorism Patriot Act." NBC30.com has this report.
Pepper-Sprayed Humboldt Activists Awarded $1 Each by Jury
"Eight nonviolent logging protesters who had pepper spray swabbed in their eyes by law enforcement officers in 1997 finally won their case - on their third try - and were awarded exactly $1 apiece in damages." Truthout has this article.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Idaho lawmakers lead effort to rein in Patriot Act
"As Congress debates expanding the broad anti-terrorism surveillance powers of the USA Patriot Act, Idaho Sen. Larry Craig and Rep. C.L. 'Butch' Otter say their efforts to rein in the post Sept. 11 law are gaining momentum." Idaho's The Times-News has this article.
