Our omnipotent president

Link is post title. Enjoy.

Top 10 Censored New Stories of 2005

Via Common Dreams. Click post title for link.

Pennsylvania has solved all of its problems

... and now our legislators have free time on their hands. Thanks to Greg for the heads-up. This is what he posted:

At the behest of anti-gay groups in PA, House Republicans Scott Boyd (District 43) and Daryl Metcalfe (District 12) have introduced a hateful piece of legislation--an amendment to our constitution that will not only define marriage, but may also ban civil union and partner benefits to boot.

In a state that already defines marriage as between a man and a woman, there is only one way to take this: a full frontal assault on our families and our children. Interesting considering the source of the legislation are “pro-family” groups.

House Bill 2381 was introduced in yesterday's session and was immediately referred to the State Government Committee.

The full text along with a list of all the cosponsors can be had here (pdf file -- at Greg's site).

If you're a PA resident, it's time to get in touch with both your Representative and Senator.

Google this

Google, gov't in search spat

Google is rebuffing the government's demand for a peek at what millions of people have been looking up on the Internet's leading search engine - a request that raises concerns Big Brother may be watching a little too closely.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales this week asked a federal judge in San Jose for an order to force a handover of the requested records.

The government wants a list of all requests entered into Google's search engine during a single week - a breakdown that could span tens of millions of queries. In addition, it seeks one million randomly selected Web addresses from various Google databases.

The government says the information is vital to restore online child protection laws that have been struck down by the Supreme Court.

Privacy experts are concerned about the potential link connecting individuals with searches.

"We may well be living in a new era here in terms of governments and data flow," said Pam Dixon, the executive director of the nonprofit World Privacy Forum. "This subpoena could, if fulfilled as originally requested, definitely compromise the privacy of quite a few people."

Dixon said about 30% of searches are connectable to the searcher. Regardless of the outcome of the legal battle, Dixon advised people never to type their full name and social security number in a search.

Others expressed similar concerns.

"If you are registered with Google so you can use G-mail or some other bundled service and you search on Google, they can link your real identity to your search terms," said Kevin Bankston, a staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

"What you Google for defines you," said Bankston. "It reveals very often your greatest hopes and your deepest fears, your personal business and medical problems and issues ... and plenty of other First Amendment protected activities that you do online."

Google objected to the government's subpoena, saying it would reveal trade secrets by providing the data and disclose personally identifiable information about its users.

In response, the government said it would keep the data secret and that the request wasn't for personal information.

Nicole Wong, a Google lawyer said the demand for information "over-reaches."

The information would "assist the government in its efforts to understand the behavior of current Web users, to estimate how often Web users encounter harmful-to-minors material in the course of their searches," the government's filing said.

Bush Admin. Launched Secret Smear Campaign Against Murtha

The Huffington Post has learned the Bush administration recently asked high ranking military leaders to denounce Congressman John Murtha. Congressman Murtha has called for the Bush Administration to withdraw US troops from Iraq.

The Bush Administration first attacked Rep. Murtha for his Iraq views by associating him with the filmmaker Michael Moore and Representative Jean Schmidt likened him to a coward on the floor of the House of Representatives. When those tactics backfired, Dick Cheney called Murtha "A good man, a marine, a patriot and he's taking a clear stand in an entirely legitimate discussion."
Though the White House has backed off publicly, administration officials have nevertheless recently made calls to military leaders to condemn the congressman. So far they have refused.

Rep. Murtha spent 37 years in the Marine Corps earning a Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts and a Navy Distinguished Service Medal. His service has earned him the respect of the military, and made him a trusted adviser to both Republican and Democratic presidents and leaders of the armed forces.

Unfolding...

Big Brother is Reading...

From CNN:

U.S. opening some private mail in terror fight
Customs: Letters from abroad subject to screening

Monday, January 9, 2006; Posted: 9:49 p.m. EST (02:49 GMT)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- U.S. officials are opening personal mail that arrives from abroad when they deem it necessary to protect the country from terrorism, a Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman said Monday.

News of the little-known practice follows revelations that the government approved eavesdropping on U.S. citizens without judicial oversight after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which sparked concern from civil liberties advocates and some lawmakers, who called for congressional hearings.

Full article is here.