interpreting the constitution
number 51 05.12. 06
Justice Department Reports Serving Secret Subpoenas
A Justice Department report to
Congressional leaders has revealed that
the FBI issued over 9000 secret
subpoenas in 2005 to get banking, credit
card, telephone, and internet
information on US citizens and residents.
The subpoenas, known as National
Security Letters, allow federal
investigators to obtain private records
without judicial review in terrorism-
related cases. Until recently, the USA
Patriot Act, which expanded the scope
and authority of the letters, also barred
recipients from discussing them.
National Security Letters were created
as tool for espionage investigations in
the 1970’s. Although originally intended
Congressional leaders has revealed that
the FBI issued over 9000 secret
subpoenas in 2005 to get banking, credit
card, telephone, and internet
information on US citizens and residents.
The subpoenas, known as National
Security Letters, allow federal
investigators to obtain private records
without judicial review in terrorism-
related cases. Until recently, the USA
Patriot Act, which expanded the scope
and authority of the letters, also barred
recipients from discussing them.
National Security Letters were created
as tool for espionage investigations in
the 1970’s. Although originally intended
for the surveillance of suspected foreign
agents, the authority was expanded by
Congress after September 11th, 2001,
to allow secret access to the records of
citizens and residents who are not
suspected of any wrongdoing. The
issuance of the letters is never reviewed
by a court, and the Bush administration
has resisted efforts to open the process
to public scrutiny or Congressional
oversight. The report is the first
indication of how extensive the use of
the letters has become.
The administration has also taken steps
to ensure that the information gathered
from such investigations is merged into
government databases, and shared among
agents, the authority was expanded by
Congress after September 11th, 2001,
to allow secret access to the records of
citizens and residents who are not
suspected of any wrongdoing. The
issuance of the letters is never reviewed
by a court, and the Bush administration
has resisted efforts to open the process
to public scrutiny or Congressional
oversight. The report is the first
indication of how extensive the use of
the letters has become.
The administration has also taken steps
to ensure that the information gathered
from such investigations is merged into
government databases, and shared among
federal agencies. In 2003, the
requirement to destroy files on
innocent targets of investigations
when cases were closed was quietly
rescinded. Last October, the
President signed an Executive Order
granting access to those files to
government entities, and also to
“appropriate private sector entities.”
The Justice Department reported
that the FBI issued a total of 9254
National Security Letters involving
3501citizens or residents in 2005.
The totals for the four previous years
remain classified and are not subject
to the newly enacted disclosure
requirements. it's all true
requirement to destroy files on
innocent targets of investigations
when cases were closed was quietly
rescinded. Last October, the
President signed an Executive Order
granting access to those files to
government entities, and also to
“appropriate private sector entities.”
The Justice Department reported
that the FBI issued a total of 9254
National Security Letters involving
3501citizens or residents in 2005.
The totals for the four previous years
remain classified and are not subject
to the newly enacted disclosure
requirements. it's all true
| interpreting the constitution crowd control spread of the red one nation, under surveillance fun d' mental in bed with the red red state rebate verbatim |
fun d' mental
Weather
Discrimination is a
Religious Tradition
at US Colleges
Religious Tradition
at US Colleges
Administration Plans to Sell National Forests to Make Ends Meet
A Bush administration proposal to sell
off more than 300,000 acres of National
Forest lands in an effort to address
revenue shortfalls has come under fire
from Congressional leaders of both
parties. The plan would use the money
raised from the sale of the federal tracts
to fund infrastructure investment in rural
areas. But opponents of the proposal say
that projected proceeds from the sales
are not worth the permanent loss of the
public lands.
The proposed sale would be the largest
National Forest Service land sale in over
30 years, listing 309,421 acres in 35
states. Forest Service spokesmen
characterized the parcels as small,
off more than 300,000 acres of National
Forest lands in an effort to address
revenue shortfalls has come under fire
from Congressional leaders of both
parties. The plan would use the money
raised from the sale of the federal tracts
to fund infrastructure investment in rural
areas. But opponents of the proposal say
that projected proceeds from the sales
are not worth the permanent loss of the
public lands.
The proposed sale would be the largest
National Forest Service land sale in over
30 years, listing 309,421 acres in 35
states. Forest Service spokesmen
characterized the parcels as small,
isolated, and expensive to manage. More
than 80,000 acres will be targeted for
sale in California, with more than 20,000
acres listed in Idaho, Colorado, and
Missouri. The Forest Service hopes to
raise about $800 million from the sale,
the bulk of which would be earmarked
for a federal rural schools program that
operates in 41 states. The schools
program is being phased out over the
next five years.
In testimony before the Senate Energy
and Natural Resources Committee,
Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey
defended the sale, saying, “We think
this is justified as a one time transition to
help rural schools.” But the proposal
than 80,000 acres will be targeted for
sale in California, with more than 20,000
acres listed in Idaho, Colorado, and
Missouri. The Forest Service hopes to
raise about $800 million from the sale,
the bulk of which would be earmarked
for a federal rural schools program that
operates in 41 states. The schools
program is being phased out over the
next five years.
In testimony before the Senate Energy
and Natural Resources Committee,
Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey
defended the sale, saying, “We think
this is justified as a one time transition to
help rural schools.” But the proposal
has drawn criticism from a variety of
groups, including environmentalists
opposed to any sale of public lands,
and the Congressional sponsors of
the rural schools program. Sen. Craig
Thomas (R, WY) told reporters, “To
propose selling off public lands we
will lose forever, in exchange for a
program we can pay for by other,
more prudent means, is simply
irresponsible.”
Congressional opposition derailed an
administration plan to sell off public
lands to mining interests last year. A
proposal by Rep. Richard Pombo (R,
CA) to sell 15 National Parks also
failed to draw support in the House.
it's all true
groups, including environmentalists
opposed to any sale of public lands,
and the Congressional sponsors of
the rural schools program. Sen. Craig
Thomas (R, WY) told reporters, “To
propose selling off public lands we
will lose forever, in exchange for a
program we can pay for by other,
more prudent means, is simply
irresponsible.”
Congressional opposition derailed an
administration plan to sell off public
lands to mining interests last year. A
proposal by Rep. Richard Pombo (R,
CA) to sell 15 National Parks also
failed to draw support in the House.
it's all true
The congress passed an
amendment to the Higher
Education Act that would allow
religious universities to
discriminate against applicants that
are gay but remain accredited.
The amendment would prevent
the boards that accredit higher
education intuitions from
requiring American colleges and
universities to adhere to laws that
bar discrimination against
prospective students on the basis
of sexual orientation.
Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT)
offered the amendment to the
Higher Education act that is
supported by religious colleges
such as Brigham Young and Notre
Dame. Cannon is himself a
graduate of Brigham Young
University, the Mormon
theological university in Salt lake
City, Utah.
Religious schools and military
academies in the US have policies
that require students to pledge
adherence to codes of religious
morality. A spokesperson for the
fundamentalist group Focus on
the Family Action warned that
laws that prevent discrimination
are really “radical social
engineering” efforts that are being
“forced upon society under the
cloak of 'non-discrimination.' "
The measure passed the House
last week and is currently before
the Senate it's all true
amendment to the Higher
Education Act that would allow
religious universities to
discriminate against applicants that
are gay but remain accredited.
The amendment would prevent
the boards that accredit higher
education intuitions from
requiring American colleges and
universities to adhere to laws that
bar discrimination against
prospective students on the basis
of sexual orientation.
Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT)
offered the amendment to the
Higher Education act that is
supported by religious colleges
such as Brigham Young and Notre
Dame. Cannon is himself a
graduate of Brigham Young
University, the Mormon
theological university in Salt lake
City, Utah.
Religious schools and military
academies in the US have policies
that require students to pledge
adherence to codes of religious
morality. A spokesperson for the
fundamentalist group Focus on
the Family Action warned that
laws that prevent discrimination
are really “radical social
engineering” efforts that are being
“forced upon society under the
cloak of 'non-discrimination.' "
The measure passed the House
last week and is currently before
the Senate it's all true
one nation, under surveillance
Some Question Intention of Data Retention
| redstat |
Legislation proposed in the US House of
Representatives would require Internet
Service Providers to retain records of
their customers’ identities and their
activities on the internet. The
mandatory data retention would enable
law enforcement to identify each
individual user, and track their e-mails
and web searches. The ISP’s would be
required to keep the records for at least
one year after the closing of a user
account.
Federal law enforcement officials have
called for data retention standards, and
Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez has
voiced his support for legislative
initiatives. The European Union adopted
a set of data retention requirements
in December. Civil libertarians and
Representatives would require Internet
Service Providers to retain records of
their customers’ identities and their
activities on the internet. The
mandatory data retention would enable
law enforcement to identify each
individual user, and track their e-mails
and web searches. The ISP’s would be
required to keep the records for at least
one year after the closing of a user
account.
Federal law enforcement officials have
called for data retention standards, and
Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez has
voiced his support for legislative
initiatives. The European Union adopted
a set of data retention requirements
in December. Civil libertarians and
privacy rights advocates warn that the
databases created by such mandates may
be improperly accessed, even by law
enforcement. The ISP’s are wary of the
costs involved in maintaining the
databases, and point out that existing
legislation in this area has so far proven
adequate.
The European data retention standards
require ISP’s to keep records of the
details, but not the content, of e-mails
and internet telephone calls, for a
minimum of six months and a maximum
of two years. Service providers warn that
a requirement for the retention of actual
content of e-mails or web pages visited
would necessitate the creation of an
extremely costly and potentially
vulnerable database. it's all true
databases created by such mandates may
be improperly accessed, even by law
enforcement. The ISP’s are wary of the
costs involved in maintaining the
databases, and point out that existing
legislation in this area has so far proven
adequate.
The European data retention standards
require ISP’s to keep records of the
details, but not the content, of e-mails
and internet telephone calls, for a
minimum of six months and a maximum
of two years. Service providers warn that
a requirement for the retention of actual
content of e-mails or web pages visited
would necessitate the creation of an
extremely costly and potentially
vulnerable database. it's all true
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
source : Department of Defense
in bed with the red
Smithsonian Institution Attempts to Privatize
its Collection in Deal with Showtime
its Collection in Deal with Showtime
News
Class Mobility
Moves Off-Shore
Moves Off-Shore
The Smithsonian Institution, the
caretaker of the country’s largest
historical archive, has negotiated a secret
and exclusive agreement with the cable
television station Showtime that restricts
documentary makers and historians
access to the publicly owned historical
documents and artifacts that are housed
at the institutions 18 museums, 9
research centers and 120 affiliates.
The agreement creates a Showtime
affiliated business called Smithsonian
Networks that is a joint venture to
create television programming. The
contract requires any historian, artist or
documentarist who seeks to use the
archives of the museum in a commercial
documentary allow ‘Smithsonian On-
Demand’ to have the right of first refusal
to broadcast the program. If the artist
does not offer to give the project to the
new network, the Smithsonian will not
allow the artist access to the institution’s
records, artifacts and collections.
Although the institution has assured that
it’s deal with the cable company will not
affect documentaries that use only
fleeting images of Smithsonian materials
or rely on incidental interviews of
institution scholars and curators, due to
the fact that the contract contains a
confidentiality clause, Smithsonian
spokespersons have said that the contact
itself will not be made public by the
public institution.
caretaker of the country’s largest
historical archive, has negotiated a secret
and exclusive agreement with the cable
television station Showtime that restricts
documentary makers and historians
access to the publicly owned historical
documents and artifacts that are housed
at the institutions 18 museums, 9
research centers and 120 affiliates.
The agreement creates a Showtime
affiliated business called Smithsonian
Networks that is a joint venture to
create television programming. The
contract requires any historian, artist or
documentarist who seeks to use the
archives of the museum in a commercial
documentary allow ‘Smithsonian On-
Demand’ to have the right of first refusal
to broadcast the program. If the artist
does not offer to give the project to the
new network, the Smithsonian will not
allow the artist access to the institution’s
records, artifacts and collections.
Although the institution has assured that
it’s deal with the cable company will not
affect documentaries that use only
fleeting images of Smithsonian materials
or rely on incidental interviews of
institution scholars and curators, due to
the fact that the contract contains a
confidentiality clause, Smithsonian
spokespersons have said that the contact
itself will not be made public by the
public institution.
Filmmakers, television executives and
academics that believe that the contract
will stifle creativity and reduce the
incentive to digitize the institution’s
collections, have attacked the exclusive
agreement. 215 filmmakers and
members of the entertainment industry
have signed a letter demanding that the
Smithsonian reveal the financial details of
the agreement. Signers of the
correspondence include filmmaker
Michael Moore a senior PBS executive.
The letter was also delivered to 50
legislators in Washington.
The contract was negotiated outside of
the purview of congressional oversight
and for this reason has stirred concerns
of elected officials who appropriate
monies to fund the Smithsonian. Two
congress members who chair the
committee that fund the institution have
also written a letter to the Smithsonian
warning that future funding could be
jeopardized if it continues to enter into
“agreements that are negotiated in
secret, without Committee
consultation, which commercialize
Smithsonian resources or which appear
to essentially sell access to Smithsonian
resources”.
A spokesman for Showtime said the
network would not answer the letter
because it was addressed to the
Smithsonian Institution. it's all true
academics that believe that the contract
will stifle creativity and reduce the
incentive to digitize the institution’s
collections, have attacked the exclusive
agreement. 215 filmmakers and
members of the entertainment industry
have signed a letter demanding that the
Smithsonian reveal the financial details of
the agreement. Signers of the
correspondence include filmmaker
Michael Moore a senior PBS executive.
The letter was also delivered to 50
legislators in Washington.
The contract was negotiated outside of
the purview of congressional oversight
and for this reason has stirred concerns
of elected officials who appropriate
monies to fund the Smithsonian. Two
congress members who chair the
committee that fund the institution have
also written a letter to the Smithsonian
warning that future funding could be
jeopardized if it continues to enter into
“agreements that are negotiated in
secret, without Committee
consultation, which commercialize
Smithsonian resources or which appear
to essentially sell access to Smithsonian
resources”.
A spokesman for Showtime said the
network would not answer the letter
because it was addressed to the
Smithsonian Institution. it's all true
A study released by the Center For
American Progress and American
University reports that upward class
mobility for Americans in the lowest
sectors of society in very rare. The
analysis, Understanding Mobility in
America, reports that children from
low-income families have a one
percent chance of rising to the top
five percent of income earners.
The study found that children born in
the middle quintile of wage earning
families fared only marginally better
having a 1.8 percent chance of
reaching the top five percent of wage
earners.
The study also reported that African
American children born in the
bottom quarter of wage earning
families were more than twice as
likely to remain in this class than
white children whose parents had the
same incomes.
The analysis attempted to reveal if
parents’ economic status was an
influential factor in determining the
economic status of children. The
study revealed that economic
mobility in the US is lower than
France, Germany and Canada, among
other nations. it's all true
American Progress and American
University reports that upward class
mobility for Americans in the lowest
sectors of society in very rare. The
analysis, Understanding Mobility in
America, reports that children from
low-income families have a one
percent chance of rising to the top
five percent of income earners.
The study found that children born in
the middle quintile of wage earning
families fared only marginally better
having a 1.8 percent chance of
reaching the top five percent of wage
earners.
The study also reported that African
American children born in the
bottom quarter of wage earning
families were more than twice as
likely to remain in this class than
white children whose parents had the
same incomes.
The analysis attempted to reveal if
parents’ economic status was an
influential factor in determining the
economic status of children. The
study revealed that economic
mobility in the US is lower than
France, Germany and Canada, among
other nations. it's all true
redstateupdate.net
verbatim number 10.3
...One, I believe there
is an Almighty."
Washington DC 00.00.00
is an Almighty."
Washington DC 00.00.00
"I based a lot of my
foreign policy decisions
on some things that I
think are true...
foreign policy decisions
on some things that I
think are true...
