interpreting the constitution
number 75 10.22.06
| 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 |
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one nation, under surveillance
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redstateupdate.net
| verbatim archive |
| May Day March in Chicago |
| Slim Harpo Tribute Page |
A memorandum written by an
Argentinean civil servant that was
subsequently published on the Internet
refers to the recent purchase of a
98,000-acre ranch in northern Paraguay
by George W. Bush.
The undersecretary of Social Habitat in
the Argentine Federal Planning Ministry,
Luis D Elia, speculated in the memo that
the land purchase may have negative
consequences for relations between
countries in South America. This is
especially the case, D Elia commented,
as the ranch is located in an area rich in
natural gas,which also straddles the one
of the largest aquifers in South America.
The Acuifero Guarani provides water to
people in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and
Uruguay.
The ranch is also adjacent to the US
Argentinean civil servant that was
subsequently published on the Internet
refers to the recent purchase of a
98,000-acre ranch in northern Paraguay
by George W. Bush.
The undersecretary of Social Habitat in
the Argentine Federal Planning Ministry,
Luis D Elia, speculated in the memo that
the land purchase may have negative
consequences for relations between
countries in South America. This is
especially the case, D Elia commented,
as the ranch is located in an area rich in
natural gas,which also straddles the one
of the largest aquifers in South America.
The Acuifero Guarani provides water to
people in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and
Uruguay.
The ranch is also adjacent to the US
Mariscal Estigarribia Military Base. The
base is now home to 500 US soldiers
who arrived in the country after the
Paraguayan Senate voted to give
immunity to US personnel from war
crimes prosecution in the International
Criminal Court.
Jenna Bush, the one of the president’s
daughters, just returned from a 10-day
visit to Paraguay where she participated
in a UNICEF event. UNICEF released a
short statement about Miss Bush’s visit
stating that the visit was “strictly private
in nature.” Miss Bush also met with
Paraguayan President Nicanor Duarte
and US Ambassador to Paraguay, James
Cason. Cason was appointed by
President Bush in 2005 and has
previously served in Havana, Panama and
El Salvador and was a political advisor to
the US Atlantic Command. its all true
base is now home to 500 US soldiers
who arrived in the country after the
Paraguayan Senate voted to give
immunity to US personnel from war
crimes prosecution in the International
Criminal Court.
Jenna Bush, the one of the president’s
daughters, just returned from a 10-day
visit to Paraguay where she participated
in a UNICEF event. UNICEF released a
short statement about Miss Bush’s visit
stating that the visit was “strictly private
in nature.” Miss Bush also met with
Paraguayan President Nicanor Duarte
and US Ambassador to Paraguay, James
Cason. Cason was appointed by
President Bush in 2005 and has
previously served in Havana, Panama and
El Salvador and was a political advisor to
the US Atlantic Command. its all true
One of the highest-ranking
military leaders recently praised
the leadership of US Secretary of
Defense, Donald Rumsfeld as
being influenced by religious views
and somehow guided by a
perception of what he feels God
thinks is “best” for America.
Marine General Peter Pace, who
was speaking at a ceremony
honoring Navy Adm. James G.
Stavridis who assumed command
of the military’s Southern
Command, said that Rumsfeld
“leads in a way that the good
Lord tells him is best for our
country.” Pace did not specify
which God he was referring to as
he praised Rumsfeld.
Pace went on to say that his boss
“comes to work every day with a
single-minded focus to make this
country safe,” and “We’re lucky
as a nation that he continues to
serve with such passion and such
integrity and such determination
and such brilliance.”
Stavridis served as Rumsfeld's
military assistant since 2004 and is
taking over the military command
in 32 countries including the
detention facility in Guantanamo,
Cuba. It was during the
command of SouthCom’s
previous leader, General Bantz
Craddock, that the detention
camp became infamous due
allegations of humiliation and
torture by former inmates.
Three inmates at the facility in
Guantanamo committed suicide
earlier this year.
Craddock was assigned to lead
allied forces in Europe. its all true
military leaders recently praised
the leadership of US Secretary of
Defense, Donald Rumsfeld as
being influenced by religious views
and somehow guided by a
perception of what he feels God
thinks is “best” for America.
Marine General Peter Pace, who
was speaking at a ceremony
honoring Navy Adm. James G.
Stavridis who assumed command
of the military’s Southern
Command, said that Rumsfeld
“leads in a way that the good
Lord tells him is best for our
country.” Pace did not specify
which God he was referring to as
he praised Rumsfeld.
Pace went on to say that his boss
“comes to work every day with a
single-minded focus to make this
country safe,” and “We’re lucky
as a nation that he continues to
serve with such passion and such
integrity and such determination
and such brilliance.”
Stavridis served as Rumsfeld's
military assistant since 2004 and is
taking over the military command
in 32 countries including the
detention facility in Guantanamo,
Cuba. It was during the
command of SouthCom’s
previous leader, General Bantz
Craddock, that the detention
camp became infamous due
allegations of humiliation and
torture by former inmates.
Three inmates at the facility in
Guantanamo committed suicide
earlier this year.
Craddock was assigned to lead
allied forces in Europe. its all true
verbatim number 14.5
"I think the characterization of,
you know, stay the course...
you know, stay the course...
...is about a quarter right."
Washington D.C. 10.11.06
Washington D.C. 10.11.06
The Justice Department has notified
federal judges hearing cases involving
terrorist suspects detained by the US
military that their court no longer has
any jurisdiction over those cases, under
the terms of the Military Commissions
Act, which was signed into law by
President Bush last week.
Moving quickly to implement one of the
most controversial provisions of the Act,
Justice Department lawyers also notified
hundreds of prisoners and their defense
teams that they would no longer have
access to US courts to challenge their
detention. The legislation exempts so-
called “enemy combatants” from legal
habeas corpus protections.
federal judges hearing cases involving
terrorist suspects detained by the US
military that their court no longer has
any jurisdiction over those cases, under
the terms of the Military Commissions
Act, which was signed into law by
President Bush last week.
Moving quickly to implement one of the
most controversial provisions of the Act,
Justice Department lawyers also notified
hundreds of prisoners and their defense
teams that they would no longer have
access to US courts to challenge their
detention. The legislation exempts so-
called “enemy combatants” from legal
habeas corpus protections.
Defense attorneys are expected to
quickly dispute the constitutionality of
the new legislation. In addition to the
suspension of habeas corpus, the Military
Commissions Act authorizes the
introduction of evidence obtained by
“coercion,” as well as the use of
classified evidence, which the defendant
is not permitted to review. The MCA
also provides retroactive legal immunity
from prosecution under US and
international law for US personnel who
may have committed war crimes.
The actions by the Justice Department
signal the administration’s intention to
implement the MCA while it is being
challenged in court. Attorney General
quickly dispute the constitutionality of
the new legislation. In addition to the
suspension of habeas corpus, the Military
Commissions Act authorizes the
introduction of evidence obtained by
“coercion,” as well as the use of
classified evidence, which the defendant
is not permitted to review. The MCA
also provides retroactive legal immunity
from prosecution under US and
international law for US personnel who
may have committed war crimes.
The actions by the Justice Department
signal the administration’s intention to
implement the MCA while it is being
challenged in court. Attorney General
Alberto Gonzalez praised the MCA in
a speech last week, saying that the
new law extended sufficient rights to
those deemed “enemy combatants”
by the administration. But civil
liberties advocates warned that
anyone in the world, including US
citizens in their homes, could be
designated an “enemy combatant”
under the provisions of the Act.
Under the terms of the new law,
such prisoners need not be charged,
and may in some cases be held
indefinitely.
The first challenges to the Act are
expected to arise in federal appeals
court in Washington, DC. its all true
a speech last week, saying that the
new law extended sufficient rights to
those deemed “enemy combatants”
by the administration. But civil
liberties advocates warned that
anyone in the world, including US
citizens in their homes, could be
designated an “enemy combatant”
under the provisions of the Act.
Under the terms of the new law,
such prisoners need not be charged,
and may in some cases be held
indefinitely.
The first challenges to the Act are
expected to arise in federal appeals
court in Washington, DC. its all true
Observed reductions in populations
of birds, insects, and bats may
adversely affect plant life on earth,
with disastrous implications for
large-scale commercial agriculture,
according to a report released last
week by the National Research
Council. Because these species act as
pollinating agents, their decline would
disrupt farming operations and
possibly threaten entire ecosystems.
The report stressed the need for
further research into population
decline among various pollinator
species.
The researchers highlighted the case
of the North American honeybee,
for which they said there was
significant evidence of population
reductions. The authors noted that
honeybees pollinate more than 90
popular agricultural species. Last year,
according to the report, US farmers
had to import honeybees to pollinate
their crops for the first time since
1922.
The main factors in the decline of
pollinators are loss of habitat, the use
of pesticides, and the introduction of
foreign parasites. its all true
of birds, insects, and bats may
adversely affect plant life on earth,
with disastrous implications for
large-scale commercial agriculture,
according to a report released last
week by the National Research
Council. Because these species act as
pollinating agents, their decline would
disrupt farming operations and
possibly threaten entire ecosystems.
The report stressed the need for
further research into population
decline among various pollinator
species.
The researchers highlighted the case
of the North American honeybee,
for which they said there was
significant evidence of population
reductions. The authors noted that
honeybees pollinate more than 90
popular agricultural species. Last year,
according to the report, US farmers
had to import honeybees to pollinate
their crops for the first time since
1922.
The main factors in the decline of
pollinators are loss of habitat, the use
of pesticides, and the introduction of
foreign parasites. its all true
source: Amnesty Internatonal
verbatim number 14.6
"I still stand by my
prediction: we'll have
a Republican speaker
and a Republican
leader of the Senate."
Washington DC 10.11.06
prediction: we'll have
a Republican speaker
and a Republican
leader of the Senate."
Washington DC 10.11.06
redstat
spread of the red : democracy inaction
The FBI has initiated an investigation
into the apparent theft and unauthorized
publication of the secret source code for
certain electronic voting machines
manufactured by Diebold Election
Systems. Three disks containing the
source code for a version of the
software used in the 2004 elections
were delivered anonymously to the
office of a former Maryland state
legislator, who forwarded the material
to authorities.
Maryland State Board of Elections
officials denied that the disks had been
stolen or leaked from their offices.
into the apparent theft and unauthorized
publication of the secret source code for
certain electronic voting machines
manufactured by Diebold Election
Systems. Three disks containing the
source code for a version of the
software used in the 2004 elections
were delivered anonymously to the
office of a former Maryland state
legislator, who forwarded the material
to authorities.
Maryland State Board of Elections
officials denied that the disks had been
stolen or leaked from their offices.
According to software analysts, the
disks appear to be pilot versions of
the election programs, possibly from
private testing labs. A different set
of Diebold source codes was
previously leaked to the public in
early 2003.
Spokesmen for Diebold denied any
knowledge of the disks or the
possible breach of security. In a
statement, the company said,
“Voters and election officials can be
confident that on Election Day, votes
and vote totals will be safe, secure,
and accurate.” its all true
disks appear to be pilot versions of
the election programs, possibly from
private testing labs. A different set
of Diebold source codes was
previously leaked to the public in
early 2003.
Spokesmen for Diebold denied any
knowledge of the disks or the
possible breach of security. In a
statement, the company said,
“Voters and election officials can be
confident that on Election Day, votes
and vote totals will be safe, secure,
and accurate.” its all true
The former head of the US Election
Assistance Commission insists that he
wasn’t given the proper tools to perform
his duties, and charges that neither the
White House nor Congress are seriously
committed to election reform. Rev.
DeForest Soaries, a former New Jersey
Secretary of State appointed by
President Bush as the first chairman of
the EAC, has made a number of public
statements that are openly critical of
Assistance Commission insists that he
wasn’t given the proper tools to perform
his duties, and charges that neither the
White House nor Congress are seriously
committed to election reform. Rev.
DeForest Soaries, a former New Jersey
Secretary of State appointed by
President Bush as the first chairman of
the EAC, has made a number of public
statements that are openly critical of
federal oversight of national
elections, describing the situation as
vulnerable to manipulation and fraud.
Soaries has decried the lack of a
federal standard for judging the
accuracy of the various privately
manufactured electronic voting
machines used in national elections.
He resigned as chairman of the EAC
in April 2005. its all true
elections, describing the situation as
vulnerable to manipulation and fraud.
Soaries has decried the lack of a
federal standard for judging the
accuracy of the various privately
manufactured electronic voting
machines used in national elections.
He resigned as chairman of the EAC
in April 2005. its all true
Lobbying of Congressional
appropriations committees by relatives
of committee members and their senior
staff is largely unregulated, resulting in
hundreds of millions of dollars in federal
funding earmarks in each budgetary
cycle, according to a report published in
USA Today. Because there are few
disclosure requirements for legislators
and lobbyists, the investigation surveyed
thousands of pages of public documents.
The report notes that the executive and
judicial branches have stringent rules
regarding contact with lobbyists who are
family members or business associates.
The newspaper investigated the
relationships between members of the
House and Senate appropriations
committees, committee staff members,
and the lobbyists who promoted
legislation before the committees.
According to the report, at least 30
relatives sought funding for their client’s
projects, with 22 actually proposing
specific language to be inserted into
spending bills. In 2005, the lobbyists
influenced the authorization of more
than $750 million in government
spending, while earning millions of dollars
in fees for their firms. The paper found
that in some cases members of the
committees received gifts or campaign
contributions from the lobbyists, their
appropriations committees by relatives
of committee members and their senior
staff is largely unregulated, resulting in
hundreds of millions of dollars in federal
funding earmarks in each budgetary
cycle, according to a report published in
USA Today. Because there are few
disclosure requirements for legislators
and lobbyists, the investigation surveyed
thousands of pages of public documents.
The report notes that the executive and
judicial branches have stringent rules
regarding contact with lobbyists who are
family members or business associates.
The newspaper investigated the
relationships between members of the
House and Senate appropriations
committees, committee staff members,
and the lobbyists who promoted
legislation before the committees.
According to the report, at least 30
relatives sought funding for their client’s
projects, with 22 actually proposing
specific language to be inserted into
spending bills. In 2005, the lobbyists
influenced the authorization of more
than $750 million in government
spending, while earning millions of dollars
in fees for their firms. The paper found
that in some cases members of the
committees received gifts or campaign
contributions from the lobbyists, their
firms, or their clients.
Congressional lobbying practices have
come under increased scrutiny in the
wake of the scandal involving DC “super
lobbyist” Jack Abramoff. The probe into
Abramoff’s activities has already led to
several indictments, as well as the recent
conviction of Ohio Republican Rep. Bob
Ney. But proposed reforms have stalled
in both the House and the Senate, and it
appears there will be no action on the
issue until the next Congress.
Last week, FBI agents launched an
investigation into the lobbying firm of
Karen Weldon, daughter of Republican
Representative Curt Weldon of
Pennsylvania. The probe, which is
unrelated to the Abramoff scandal,
involves allegations that the
Congressman improperly assisted foreign
companies that were clients of his
daughter’s firm. As he campaigns for re-
election, Weldon has strongly denied any
wrongdoing.
But forcing a vote on reform would
require the influence of House Speaker
Dennis Hastert, currently trying to
control damage from the Mark Foley
scandal. Hastert’s son Josh is a registered
lobbyist with clients including Amgen and
Lockheed Martin. its all true
Congressional lobbying practices have
come under increased scrutiny in the
wake of the scandal involving DC “super
lobbyist” Jack Abramoff. The probe into
Abramoff’s activities has already led to
several indictments, as well as the recent
conviction of Ohio Republican Rep. Bob
Ney. But proposed reforms have stalled
in both the House and the Senate, and it
appears there will be no action on the
issue until the next Congress.
Last week, FBI agents launched an
investigation into the lobbying firm of
Karen Weldon, daughter of Republican
Representative Curt Weldon of
Pennsylvania. The probe, which is
unrelated to the Abramoff scandal,
involves allegations that the
Congressman improperly assisted foreign
companies that were clients of his
daughter’s firm. As he campaigns for re-
election, Weldon has strongly denied any
wrongdoing.
But forcing a vote on reform would
require the influence of House Speaker
Dennis Hastert, currently trying to
control damage from the Mark Foley
scandal. Hastert’s son Josh is a registered
lobbyist with clients including Amgen and
Lockheed Martin. its all true
The FBI Chief and the Director of
Homeland Security recently made public
statements calling for Internet
companies to be required by law to
capture and retain information about
Internet users and the web pages that
they visit so that the information can be
given to law enforcement agencies upon
request. FBI Chief Robert Mueller and
the director of Homeland Security
Michael Chertoff, both speaking at the
annual convention of the International
Association of Chiefs of Police, said that
the retention of information about the
web-habits of Internet users is an
essential element in the so-called ‘war
on terror’.
Mueller told the audience of law
enforcement officials that information
about Internet users should be preserved
by private companies so that it can be
Homeland Security recently made public
statements calling for Internet
companies to be required by law to
capture and retain information about
Internet users and the web pages that
they visit so that the information can be
given to law enforcement agencies upon
request. FBI Chief Robert Mueller and
the director of Homeland Security
Michael Chertoff, both speaking at the
annual convention of the International
Association of Chiefs of Police, said that
the retention of information about the
web-habits of Internet users is an
essential element in the so-called ‘war
on terror’.
Mueller told the audience of law
enforcement officials that information
about Internet users should be preserved
by private companies so that it can be
produced for government agents because,
“Today, terrorists coordinate their plans
cloaked in the anonymity of the
Internet.” Chertoff said that Internet
users and Internet service providers should
be forced to adapt to what he said was an
"emerging threat.”
Although specifics of the federally
mandated data retention program have
not been fully fleshed out by authorities,
the type of information that can be
captured by Internet companies and
passed on to government agents includes
the identities of the customer’s and their
correspondents, and the date, time and
duration of communications. So far,
retention of the content of e-mails or
other Internet communications such as
instant messaging and Internet phone calls
(known as Voice over Internet Protocol,
or Voip) have not been requested by the
“Today, terrorists coordinate their plans
cloaked in the anonymity of the
Internet.” Chertoff said that Internet
users and Internet service providers should
be forced to adapt to what he said was an
"emerging threat.”
Although specifics of the federally
mandated data retention program have
not been fully fleshed out by authorities,
the type of information that can be
captured by Internet companies and
passed on to government agents includes
the identities of the customer’s and their
correspondents, and the date, time and
duration of communications. So far,
retention of the content of e-mails or
other Internet communications such as
instant messaging and Internet phone calls
(known as Voice over Internet Protocol,
or Voip) have not been requested by the
FBI and Homeland Security.
Legislation that would require
Internet companies to capture and
retain data was proposed in
Congress this year, first by a
Republican and then later by a
Democrat. Neither of these bills
was voted on before Congress
adjourned.
Civil libertarians and privacy rights
advocates warn that the databases
created by such mandates may be
improperly accessed, even by law
enforcement. Mueller said that his
agents have a “clear need” for the
information and that citizens’
concern for privacy should be
taken into consideration if those
concerns are deemed to be
“legitimate”. its all true
Legislation that would require
Internet companies to capture and
retain data was proposed in
Congress this year, first by a
Republican and then later by a
Democrat. Neither of these bills
was voted on before Congress
adjourned.
Civil libertarians and privacy rights
advocates warn that the databases
created by such mandates may be
improperly accessed, even by law
enforcement. Mueller said that his
agents have a “clear need” for the
information and that citizens’
concern for privacy should be
taken into consideration if those
concerns are deemed to be
“legitimate”. its all true
As American voters and state
election officials prepare for
federal, state and municipal
elections in two weeks, media
reports that electronic voting
machines are not secure from
computer hacking have increased
and studies by academics and
others have documented serious
flaws in the systems. Because of
the Help America Vote Act, over
80 percent of American voters
will use electronic voting
machines in 2006.
A study published by researchers
at Princeton University earlier
this year showed that software
made by one of the largest
suppliers of electronic voting
equipment, Diebold Election
Systems, could be hacked.
Researchers found they were able
election officials prepare for
federal, state and municipal
elections in two weeks, media
reports that electronic voting
machines are not secure from
computer hacking have increased
and studies by academics and
others have documented serious
flaws in the systems. Because of
the Help America Vote Act, over
80 percent of American voters
will use electronic voting
machines in 2006.
A study published by researchers
at Princeton University earlier
this year showed that software
made by one of the largest
suppliers of electronic voting
equipment, Diebold Election
Systems, could be hacked.
Researchers found they were able
to manipulate vote totals without leaving
any evidence of the tampering. The
study reported that the security access
panel on some Diebold machines could
be opened with a common hotel
mini-bar key.
Malfunctions in a May primary election of
voting machines supplied to the city of
Chicago by the company Sequoia led to
a four-week delay in vote tabulation.
Counties and municipalities in California,
Washington, Colorado, Florida, Missouri
and New Mexico reported similar
technological problems with Sequoia
manufactured voting machines.
Voters in 88 Ohio counties will only be
able to use either touch-screen machines
or electronic scan machines. Problems
with electronic machines in one Ohio
County in May delayed the final vote
tabulation by six days. its all true
any evidence of the tampering. The
study reported that the security access
panel on some Diebold machines could
be opened with a common hotel
mini-bar key.
Malfunctions in a May primary election of
voting machines supplied to the city of
Chicago by the company Sequoia led to
a four-week delay in vote tabulation.
Counties and municipalities in California,
Washington, Colorado, Florida, Missouri
and New Mexico reported similar
technological problems with Sequoia
manufactured voting machines.
Voters in 88 Ohio counties will only be
able to use either touch-screen machines
or electronic scan machines. Problems
with electronic machines in one Ohio
County in May delayed the final vote
tabulation by six days. its all true
Administration Substitutes New Process for Due Process
FBI, Homeland Security Seek to Save Data, Delete Privacy
Rumsfeld Redefines
Chain of Command
Chain of Command
Bush Makes Plans to Clear Brush in the Clear
Money Grows on Congressional Family Trees
Factory Farms Face
Pollination Problems
Pollination Problems
Source Code Keeps Getting Less Secret
Politicians Voted Against Election Reform
Machines Make Voters Feel Insecure
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source: Viroqua Institute