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Monthly Archives: February 2006

VP’s Power to Classify and Declassify Information Under Scrutiny

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Follow-up to yesterday’s posting, Declassifying Gov. Docs. For Libby Defense, today Steven Aftergood provides a detailed analysis of the powers of the President and Vice President, respectively, in declassifying national security information. As Steven explains, Executive Order 13292, issued by President Bush, contains language that “dramatically elevates the Vice President’s classification authority to that of… Continue Reading

Declassifying Gov. Docs. For Libby Defense

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Follow-up to postings on Plame CIA leak [see specifically Cheney ‘Authorized’ Libby to Leak Classified Information, by Murray Waas, National Journal, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006], tonight AP reports: “Vice President Dick Cheney disclosed Wednesday that he has the power to declassify sensitive government information, authority that could set up a criminal defense for his former… Continue Reading

Cmte. Sends Letters Seeking Info on Data Brokers’ Business Activities

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Follow-up to House Cmte. Seeks Operations Docs. from Websites Selling Cell Phone Records, “House Energy and Commerce Committee investigators have identified people behind 22 Web pages that may offer criminals, stalkers and any other paying customer the detailed records of a person’s private telephone calls.” Press release today: “Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton,… Continue Reading

The Internet in China: A Tool for Freedom or Suppression?

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House of Representatives Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, February 15, 2006 Hearing, The Internet in China: A Tool for Freedom or Suppression? Links to statements and testimony below are in PDF: The Honorable Christopher H. Smith, The Honorable James A. Leach, Mr. James Keith, The Honorable David… Continue Reading

Gov’t Terrorism Database Raises Questions About Domestic Surveillance

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Washington Post (reg. req’d), 325,000 Names on Terrorism List – Rights Groups Say Database May Include Innocent People: “The National Counterterrorism Center maintains a central repository of 325,000 names of international terrorism suspects or people who allegedly aid them, a number that has more than quadrupled since the fall of 2003, according to counterterrorism officials.”… Continue Reading

Surfing the Web – Just for Fun

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Pew Internet Project Data Memo, Growing Numbers Surf the Web Just for Fun, 2/15/2006, by Senior Research Fellow Deborah Fallows: “Nearly a third of internet users go online on a typical day for no particular reason, just for fun or to pass the time. Two-thirds of all internet users have tried surfing the Web just… Continue Reading

Investigation into Domestic Spying Program Blocked

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Rep. John Conyers blogs tonight “…the House Judiciary Committee considered my resolution of inquiry on the domestic spying program. The Resolution was rejected 16 to 21, with all Democrats and one Republican (Congressman Hostetler) voting for it.” Congressional Probe of NSA Spying Is in Doubt-White House Sways Some GOP Lawmakers: “Congress appeared ready to launch… Continue Reading

House Releases Lengthy, Scathing Report on Govt’s Flawed Response to Katrina

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A Failure of Initiative: The Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina, Washington, February 15, 2006: Main Report (379 pages, PDF) Appendices (141 pages, PDF) Related government documents and news: Expedited Assistance for Victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: FEMA’s Control Weaknesses Exposed the Government… Continue Reading