DHS’ Annual Performance Plan, FY 2006
DHS’ Annual Performance Plan, Fiscal Year 2006: Audit prepared by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General (68 pages, PDF)
Ramifications of Proposed Federal Rules On E-Discovery
Document management systems go to court – New federal rules for 2006 could come down hard on IT: “First, the proposed amendments to Rule 26 will require attorneys for both parties to a litigation in Federal court to sit down prior to the proceedings to discuss their clients document management systems….Rule 37(f), also called a …
Privacy Issues Impact Posting Personal Data on E-Gov Sites
Government officials throughout the country are evaluating the risks and benefits of posting personal data about citizens and public official on e-gov sites, such as is increasingly the case with real estate records and court related documents. This Government Technology article reviews the challenges posed by this issue, and the range of responses, and non …
Patriot Act Reauthorization Fight Returns to Spotlight
White House press release today: President Discusses Use and Reauthorization of USA PATRIOT Act AP: Bush Pushes for Patriot Act Renewal From the ALA Washington Office Newsline “Please keep up the pressure on members of Congress by encouraging them to continue to fight for the following: 1. The ability for a Section 215 recipient to …
After Much Hype, Is RSS Fatigue Setting In?
In 2005, there was alot written about RSS, from the standpoint of marketing, enterprise-wide communications, current awareness monitoring, and as an app that perhaps could significantly diminish the use of email. Interesting, therefore, to note this article, It’s time to bury RSS. Will 2006 be the year of aggregated feeds?
The Divide Deepens Over Domestic Surveillance Program
Several new articles worth highlighting in reference to the domestic surveillance program that has raised vociferous responses from the President, members of Congress, the polls, bloggers, and a range of other sources. Time Magazine, Bush Says, Bring It On; the Critics Will: “…the White House decided its strategy would be to “overwhelm the skeptics, not …
Domestic Surveillance Data Distributed Among Intel Agencies
Washington Post (reg. req’d): NSA Gave Other U.S. Agencies Information From Surveillance – Fruit of Eavesdropping Was Processed and Cross-Checked With Databases Related reference: Frank Church, Chairman of Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities – investigates alleged abuse of power by CIA and FBI. See the Church Committee Reports.
Domestic Surveillance Program: Opposition Within DOJ and Administration Defense of Actions
Several news items today regarding the domestic surveillance program revealed in a December 15, 2005 New York Times article, the ramifications of which are subject to Congressional and DOJ investigation, continued commentary and perhaps further response by other judges on the FISA Court. New York Times: Justice Deputy Resisted Parts of Spy Program: The authors …
Year End Update On the Costs of Iraq War
A running total of the U.S. taxpayer cost of the Iraq War is provided by the National Priorities Project, using data from Congressional appropriations. The war in Iraq costs, to date, are in excess of $230 billion. Iraq coalition casualties now number 2,178. Bush says 30,000 Iraqis dead since invasion began.
UK Magistrates’ Court Test Text Messaging To Collect Fines
The Staffordshire magistrates’ court recently tested the use of a “pay up or get locked up” text message to offenders, with a surprising level of success. Evidently, the technology may be more widely embraced in future by courts as an additional mechanism to collect outstanding fines: “Everyone’s got a mobile phone and as one of …
White House Website Will Continue Using Web Bugs
New information related to yesterday’s posting, NSA Website Discontinues Tracking Users After Objections, and in reference to U.S. to Investigate Contractor’s Use of Internet Tracking Technologies on White House Web Site. This evening, AP reported that David Almacy, White House Internet and E-Communications Director, announced that the government website is not in violation of privacy …
Five Week Patriot Act Extension Signed By President
Follow-up to my December 22 posting, House Approves 5 Week Extension for Patriot Act, news from AP that Bush Signs Patriot Act Extension at Ranch. From the NJ Madison Eagle: Librarians sounding off on Patriot Act – ‘Chilling Effect’ ‘Ask For Subpoena’ – “As the House, the Senate and the White House wrangled last week …