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Archive for the 'Politics' Category
18
Jan
Stop the blacklist…
You know how all the sci-fi shows about a dystopian future show the citizens being surveilled by small flying units? Guess what, it’s now coming true in Texas. The same battle field technology used (illegally) in conflicts abroad is now being purchased by domestic police departments using federal dollars. My favorite line from the article is
“We’re not going to use it to be invading somebody’s privacy. It’ll be used for situations we have with criminals,” Gage said.
Wow, if you believe that then I have a bridge in New York I’d like to sell you. Just look at how they have been using counter-terrorism laws that were rushed onto the books as charges against completely unrelated offenses just a couple of years after 9/11. What say you?
New Police Drone Near Houston Could Carry Weapons
Update 12/12/11: Perfect example [LA Times]
The good folks at EPIC have used FOIA requests to get some sparse details on a Department of Homeland Security project to detect “mal-intent” via “non-invasive” biometric scanning. This is very reminiscent of Minority Report minus the pre-cogs. The DHS can’t even agree on whether PII (Personally Identifiable Information) will be stored in the system as they say it won’t but their own privacy assessment indicates it will. I think based on what has leaked out about the backscatter x-ray machines we all know how trustworthy their assurance that it won’t is.
I thought the mention of ethnicity as a component in the algorithm was quite interesting as well, is it still racial profiling if it’s a machine instead of a live agent making that decision? I think so, an obvious facet to challenge it on. It’s no wonder they are so tight-lipped about it.
“That which grows in the shadows and withers in the light of day, does not belong on the vine.” – Unknown
Homeland Security moves forward with ‘pre-crime’ detection [CNET]
01
Jul
Abolish the TSA
I was reading an interesting blog post over at Forbes today. My response? “AMEN!”
Well, well, well… It seems that Mr. Julian Assange’s (of WikiLeaks fame) hands may not be so bloody after all. Despite a predictable and immediate rush to vilify the organization and its editor after leaking US military documents, the US Department of Defense is backpedaling a bit according to a letter leaked to CNN.
Now whether you agree with WikiLeaks’ actions or not, keep in mind that the press (loosely defined) performs an important duty shining light on things the establishment would rather not have seen. In an age of corporate monopolization of the “news” sometimes it takes outsiders including bloggers and others to perform that service.
I’ll leave you with a thought:
“Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
Gates: Leaked documents don’t reveal key intel, but risks remain [CNN]
A very interesting article clearly laying out a viewpoint I have long held. As we continue to rush blindly into security measures based on things we don’t really understand, often trashing personal rights and privacy in the process, we are actually setting ourselves up for failure.
Biometrics: The Difference Engine… [economist.com]
Yes, I’m still alive–just been really busy…
So, I ran across a disturbing article a few days ago. Many people worried about encroachment on our basic liberties, including myself, tend to throw around the term Orwellian a lot. A new proposal in the UK though takes it to a new level. They actually want to put 24/7 video surveillance inside the homes of the “worst” families. All that’s missing is the monitor showing the face of Big Brother. The UK has become the surveillance society but seriously, what the hell?
Sin Bins for Worst Families [Daily Express]
22
Jun
What goes around…
ArsTechnica has an excellent article laying out why the major ISP’s claims that they need data caps to avoid financial ruin just don’t hold water. Just like their opposition to the various “net neutrality” proposals we continue to see evidence of what we already expected–they are just being greedy.
Now, the libertarian side of me believes in a free capitalist market. But keep in mind that in most areas the major telcos/cable operators have a government-approved and somewhat protected monopoly. That isn’t a free market and the lack of competition means they don’t truly operate at the levels that the “market would bear” without such constructs.
In areas where there is more competition we see things can be done better at some pretty amazing costs. However, the major players are always ready to fiercely protect their restricted markets even lobbying government to actively prohibit municipal and other independent providers. I call foul. For a recent example, just see what Time Warner is doing in North Carolina.
ISP’s costs, revenues don’t support… [ars technica]
Time Warner lobbies government… [neowin]
What do you think?
As a followup to my post from a few days ago, I want to point out an excellent commentary by Glenn Greenwald. Not only is the Obama DOJ embracing telco immunity but are basically claiming the government is immune period! I think we have been duped my friends. Go read Glenn’s analysis now, as usual it is well thought out and documented.
New and worse… [Salon]
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