Following up on postings concerning the expanding circle of journalists involved in the Plame investigation, news today that the grand jury heard testimony this week from Bob Woodward, heretofore not named. Washington Post (reg. req’d), Woodward Was Told of Plame More Than Two Years Ago Washington Post (reg. req’d), Woodward Apologizes to Post for Withholding… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: November 2005
Latest E-Gov’t Scorecard Notes Ratings Decline For 8 Agencies
From OMB, the President’s Management Agenda current survey results, Scorecard – September 30, 2005 indicate performance in areas evaluated (human capital, competitive sourcing, financial performance, e-government, and budget/performance integration) dropped at agencies including VA, EPA, State, NASA, USAID, Justice and Interior (note: the red circle indicates unsatisfactory, with eight agencies showing a specific decline in… Continue Reading
U.S. Will Maintain Internet Oversight
News from the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) that the U.S. and representatives from 100 other nations have reached an agreement to continue the oversight of Internet domain names in the control of the United States, with administration provided by the Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Continue Reading
Scope of Libby Trial May Expand to Include Other Journalists and Documents
In an article published on November 16, the New York Times reports that the defense team representing I. Lewis Libby plans to seek to obtain documents from journalists that are well beyond the scope of those used to substantiate the indictment. The article quotes Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of… Continue Reading
Online Open Source Patent Library Launched
Press release: “The Open Source Development Labs (OSDL), a global consortium dedicated to accelerating the adoption of Linux®, today announced the launch of its online patent commons reference library, the foundation of its Patent Commons Project. The Project’s goal is to provide greater confidence for developers and customers of all open source software. The site,… Continue Reading
Groups Seek Gov Docs on Impact of Patriot Act on Academic Freedom
Press release: “The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has joined with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and PEN American Center in a legal action against the U.S. Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security and the Central Intelligence Agency. In a complaint filed [November 10, 2005 – 19 pages, PDF], the national groups… Continue Reading
TSA Issues Guidance on Biometrics for Airport Access Control
Guidance Package, Biometrics for Airport Access Control, 30 September 2005, Version Release: October 2005 (140 pages, PDF). “This guidance document includes basic criteria and standards that TSA believes biometric products should meet in order to meet the technical requirements of acceptable performance for airport access control systems.” Continue Reading
Public Broadcasting IG Issues Report on Ethics and Statutory Violations By Ex-Chair
From the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s Office of the Inspector General, Review of Alleged Actions Violating the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, as Amended (67 pages, PDF), November 15, 2005. “We found evidence that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) former Chairman [Kenneth Tomlinson] violated statutory provisions and the Director’s Code of Ethics by dealing… Continue Reading
Conference on Patriot Act Reauthorization Urged to Adopt Four Year Sunset
From the American Bar Association President, this November 9, 2005 letter (3 pages, PDF) requests that conferees seeking to reach agreement on the House (H.R. 3199) and Senate versions (S. 1389) accept language reforming sections 206, 213 and 215. These sections address limitations to the use of wiretaps, search warrants for homes and businesses, and… Continue Reading
Rep. Conyers Launches Patriot Act Resource Site
Rep. Conyer’s Patriot Act Action Center includes links to Patriot Act resources from government and advocacy sources, a chronology of Congressional action on the legislation (which links to a series of beSpacific postings), recent news articles, and “What the Blogs are Saying.” Continue Reading
Sen. Hagel Delivers Speech on U.S. Foreign Policy and the Middle East
U.S. Foreign Policy and the Middle East by Senator Chuck Hagel, November 15, 2005 – Delivered at the Council on Foreign Relations, Washington, DC. “The Iraq war should not be debated in the United States on a partisan political platform. This debases our country, trivializes the seriousness of war and cheapens the service and sacrifices… Continue Reading
Democrats Advance Innovative Technology Agenda
Press release: “House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi unveiled the House Democrats new Innovation Agenda: A Commitment to Competitiveness to Keep America #1 (12 pages, PDF) in a speech at the National Press Club this morning. “First, we recognize that in a globalized, knowledge-based economy, America’s greatest resource for innovation and economic growth resides within America’s… Continue Reading
