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Ashcroft, Ellison Win 'Big Brother' Privacy Awards

Posted by michael on from the telescreen dept.

GuyMannDude writes "Reuters is reporting that Privacy International's 4th Annual US "Big Brother" Awards have been announced at the 12th Conference on Computers, Freedom and Privacy. Ashcroft won "Worst Government Official" and Ellison won "Worst Corporate Invader". Couldn't have happened to a pair of nicer guys."

14 comments

  1. If you don't like the govt by gruntvald · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    ... then just use crypto. It's up to you to take care of this, not some whinebag "committee".

    1. Re:If you don't like the govt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      It's up to you to take care of this, not some whinebag "committee".

      Right. In fact, they shouldn't even *talk* about it or disseminate opinions about which people or organizations are most likely to attempt to infringe your privacy. Because nobody ever, ever needs help with anything and nothing ever needs to be publicized.

    2. Re:If you don't like the govt by topside420 · · Score: 3, Interesting
      ... then just use crypto. It's up to you to take care of this, not some whinebag "committee".

      Why should I have to use crypto? Why can't the government get a search warrant or goto a judge if they want to see my emails.

      If I don't like something about the government, its my duty to try and change that. Thats what patriotism is about. Fighting for whats right, not being a passive wuss. Sure, I may use crypto for now if I need or want to, but that shouldn't stop me, or the community, from fighting unconstitutional laws.

    3. Re:If you don't like the govt by gruntvald · · Score: 1

      "Why can't the government get a search warrant or goto a judge if they want to see my emails. ".
      That's a provocative statement, do you have any actual evidence to back it up? Last I heard, this is just a deliberate distortion of the truth.

  2. Each "winner" received... by rubicon7 · · Score: 1

    ...a golden statue depicting a jackboot pressing down on a human head.

    Gotta love it.

    --
    --- We are not in the 8th dimension. We are over New Jersey.
    1. Re:Each "winner" received... by scaryjohn · · Score: 3, Funny
      "Most recipients fail to pick up the honor in person."

      I would not like to be the UPS guy who had to deliver these things to Oracle or the DOJ...

      UPS Guy: I need you to sign for this
      Receptionist: What is it, first
      UPS Guy: It says "Award enclosed" and "Fragile". That's all i know.
      Receptionist: We have to be security conscious around here, y'know.

      *opens box*
      *sees golden shrunken head*

      Receptionist: AIEEEEEEEE! There's no way we're signing for this... Send this &*()#&*()#%@&@^#(%) back to those mother&(#*&%)!!!!!!!!!!
      --
      One might ask the same about birds. What ARE birds? We just don't know.
    2. Re:Each "winner" received... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Read "1984". Seriously.

  3. Well actually by nakaduct · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...a golden statue depicting a jackboot pressing down on a human head.

    It's a Doc Marten standing on a mummy's head. I thought it was some goth award at first.

  4. Ashcroft by djmitche · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Has anyone noticed that many of Ashcroft's actions since he's risen to power are being challenged and defeated in the courts? A couple have even garnered harsh criticism of Ashcroft & co. from the presiding judge. Looks like they will appeal most of the cases all the way to the Supreme Court, and most are regarding constutional issues which the court will likely hear and rule on.

    I didn't hear his swearing in personally, but I'll bet part of his oath was to uphold the Constitution..

    How many cases will he have to lose on grounds that he acted unconstitutionally before someone takes action to remove him from office?

    1. Re:Ashcroft by vegetablespork · · Score: 2, Interesting

      About as many as he can present until the 2004 election, I imagine. But unless Bush really botches the "war," he's probably a shoo-in to get elected. (Note, I said "elected," not "re-elected.")

      --

      Call (206) 338-5780 COLLECT for information about a genuine BA, BS, MA, MS, MBA, or Ph.D.

    2. Re:Ashcroft by Ummon_i · · Score: 1

      what do you want when you hire somone who's states constituance would rather elect a dead man?

  5. Need a corruption statue too by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It'd be a close tie between Bush/Enron, and Powell/Aol-Time-Warner.
    Yes Powell and Son were were both players in the ATW merger. One of them sat on the board of Time-Warner, the other was in a government position that could grant the merger.

    The elite seem to exist in a sort of anarchy, mindless of any rules. Maybe that's how they got to the top. Able to rise quickly without being burdoned by the rules the Hoi Poloi are bent over with. And the more income one has for lawyers and political connections, the more brazen their anarchy can range.

    We seem to be nearing an apex of this semi anarchist development. The question remains, how will it evolve? Seem the more powerful anarchists there are, the more likely they'll step on each others toes. Since none of them espose to follow any rules there will be collisions.
    How will they react to each other outside of the law? Of course they will use the law but they will use anything else at their disposal as well, since rules "are for other people".

    And how will they react when the Hoi Poloi start to catch on? Certainly this is a unique scenerio in the United States at least. High levels of this were certainly in existence in the past but perhaps it was more discreet in nature. Regardless, people are catching on during these times. How will the lawless elite react to people pointing out their flaws, and people discussing their actions in public mediums? We've seen reporters fired for discussing taboo subjects, but those reporters were employees of large holdings and thus within the sphere of the anarchist powers. But what about the average people?

    Now might be a good time to read your ISP's user agreement. Might be hooks in there so you can be tenderized and handed over to whoever they need a favor from.