Secret law case sent to Supreme Court
One of the most fundamental, and sometimes annoying, principles of American law is described by the old adage, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.’ But the courts have held that in order for this to apply, and you to be responsible for a law, the government must provide “notice,’ for instance, publishing the law
Social Security data used for criminal investigations
Wage and earnings data held at the Social Security Administration has been used in terrorism investigations since September 11, 2001. But few if any of those investigated have been brought up on terrorism charges. Federal prosecutors don’t actually bring terrorism charges if they can find any lesser charges which will result in a deportation and
Government tries to stop AT&T surveillance lawsuit
A federal appeals court on Wednesday agreed to hear arguments from the government as to why a lawsuit against AT&T for its alleged cooperation in a terrorist surveillance program should be dismissed due to state secrets.
The TSA Follies
Airport security is in good hands with the Transportation Security Administration . . . and monkeys might fly out of my butt. The TSA’s new motto is “Vigilant, Effective, Efficient.’ Let’s see about that. Here are four examples of how the TSA seems to be, well, a bad joke.
Google in bed with U.S. intelligence
Even while Google presents a public image of vigorously protecting its users’ privacy, it has quietly provided assistance to several U.S. intelligence agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency, as the U.S. prosecutes its war on terrorism. In addition, Google may be providing assistance to the National Security Agency.
Police chief claims Lockerbie evidence faked
A retired police officer of assistant chief constable rank or higher testified that the CIA planted crucial evidence which implicated Libya in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 in Lockerbie, Scotland, calling into question the conviction of Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi. The vital evidence that linked the bombing of Pan Am 103 to
De Menezes Tube shooting videotape wasn’t blank after all
It was revealed yesterday that CCTV tapes from Stockwell Tube station showing the final minutes of Jean Charles de Menezes’ life were not actually blank and contained “interesting’ footage that would eventually be shown in court, according to an IPCC spokesman. This follows earlier claims that police had handed back CCTV tapes to tube staff
Unanswered questions in Jean Charles de Menezes shooting
The Observer today reports on unanswered questions in the 22 July shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes in Stockwell Tube station in London. The unanswered questions: If he was such a potential danger to the public why was de Menezes allowed to enter Stockwell tube station? Did commanding officers give the order to shoot or
Inside the Saviour Sect, a radical Muslim terrorist group
The London Times placed a reporter undercover for two months inside the Saviour Sect, an extremist Muslim terrorist group operating in the U.K. The report in today’s Sunday Times shows what life as a terrorist is like. Last week Omar Brooks stirred controversy with televised comments, but they were carefully chosen to avoid appearing to
USA PATRIOT Act renewal passed Senate
Last Friday, before the Senate went on recess, they unanimously passed the renewal of the USA PATRIOT Act. Lawmakers must meet in conference when they return in the fall to iron out differences between the House and Senate versions. The bills do make some modifications to the act. Among the changes: The Senate version would
