Author archives

More NASA Personnel Report on Limiting Public Access to Global Warming Docs.

Follow-up to a series of recent postings on the growing controversy concerning NASA’s policy to limit public access to accurate scientific documents on global warming. New York Times – Call for Openness at NASA Adds to Reports of Pressure: “Top political appointees in the NASA press office exerted strong pressure during the 2004 presidential campaign …

Subjects: E-Government, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research

UN Report Calls on US to Close Guantanamo Bay Prison

“Five independent investigators of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights are calling on the United States to close immediately the detention centre in Guantánamo Bay and bring all detainees before an independent and competent tribunal or release them.” (The report, 54 pages, PDF). White House response to the report, Press Briefing by Scott McClellan, …

Subjects: Government Documents

DOJ Creates Roadblocks To Spy Program Investigations

Follow-up to yesterday’s posting, Investigation into Domestic Spying Program Blocked, today AP reports Justice Argues Against Ashcroft Testimony, and the New York Times reports Senate Panel Decides Against Eavesdropping Investigation, at Least for Now. From AP, this report tonight that addresses the complicated issues involved in the continuing struggle involving the administration, members of Congress …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Government Documents, Legal Research, Privacy

Judge Orders Release of DOJ Docs. on NSA Domestic Surveillance

“In response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit (PDF) filed by EPIC, a federal judge has ordered (PDF) the Department of Justice to process and release documents related to the Bush Administration’s warrantless surveillance program by March 8. It is the first court opinion addressing the controversial domestic spying operation. “President Bush has invited …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Courts, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Privacy

VP’s Power to Classify and Declassify Information Under Scrutiny

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 …

Subjects: Government Documents, Legal Research

Declassifying Gov. Docs. For Libby Defense

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 …

Subjects: Courts, Government Documents, Legal Research

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

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, …

Subjects: Congress, Cybercrime, Government Documents, ID Theft, Privacy

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

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 …

Subjects: Censorship, Civil Liberties, Congress, Free Speech, Freedom of Information, Internet, Knowledge Management, Microsoft, Search Engines