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The Pentagon Wants Your Secrets
Teknogeek was one of the many readers to point out today's New York Times report on what one submitter dubbed "Son of Carnivore." "This should scare you: Vice Admiral John Poindexter wants to create a supercomputer capable of hunting through electronic databases all over the world, looking for suspected terrorists. According to the article, Poindexter outlines a need to '"break down the stovepipes' that separate commercial and government databases, allowing teams of intelligence analysts to hunt for hidden patterns of activity with powerful computers.'" Update: 11/10 16:15 GMT by T : Here's an updated link to the (no-registration) Arizona Star. Update: 11/24 17:42 GMT by T : Thanks to expiring links, here's another updated link to the NYTimes story.
WAR ON TERRORISM
Anti-terror computer system plans wide, warrantless access
By John Markoff
THE NEW YORK TIMES
The Pentagon is constructing a computer system that could create a vast electronic dragnet, searching personal information as part of the hunt for terrorists around the world - including the United States.
The program director, Vice Adm. John Poindexter, says the system would provide intelligence analysts and law enforcement with instant access to information from e-mail and calling records to credit card, banking transactions and travel records - without a search warrant.
Historically, military and intelligence agencies have not been allowed to spy on Americans without legal authorization. But Poindexter, national security adviser in the Reagan administration, has said the government needs broad new powers to process, store and mine billions of electronic details of life in the United States.
Poindexter, who has described the plan in public documents and speeches but declined to be interviewed, has said the government needs to "break down the stovepipes" that separate commercial and government databases, allowing teams of intelligence analysts to hunt for hidden patterns of activity with powerful computers.
"We must become much more efficient and more clever in the ways we find new sources of data, mine information from the new and old, generate information, make it available for analysis, convert it to knowledge and create actionable options," he said in a speech in California earlier this year.
Poindexter quietly returned to the government in January to take charge of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Office of Information Awareness, charged with developing new surveillance technologies in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
To deploy such a system, known as Total Information Awareness, new legislation would be needed, some of which has been proposed by the Bush administration in the Homeland Security Act now before Congress. That legislation would amend the Privacy Act of 1974, which was intended to limit what government agencies could do with private information.
The possibility that the system might be deployed domestically to let intelligence officials look into commercial transactions worried civil liberties proponents.
"This could be the Perfect Storm for civil liberties in America," said Marc Rotenberg, director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center in Washington. "The vehicle is the Homeland Security Act, the technology is DARPA and the agency is the FBI. The outcome is a system of national surveillance of the American public."
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has been briefed on the project by Poindexter, according to a Pentagon spokesman.
This guy still has a job? Wasn't he implicated in some Reagan scandals way back in the day? Shouldn't he have resigned in disgrace by now?
The original link cited in this article points to an truncated version of the original NYT story. For a more COMPLETE version, use this link:
M P. html
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/09/politics/09CO
(it's more than twice as long, with much more information)
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) was created to defend our rights to think, speak, and share our ideas, thoughts, and needs using new technologies, such as the Internet and the World Wide Web. EFF is the first to identify threats to our basic rights online and to advocate on behalf of free expression in the digital age.
Other than bitching about it on /., you can take action, and join this organization which will help fight against this type of privacy invasion.
Yes, Yes, No.
Poindexter was convicted during the Iran-Contra debacle. His conviction was overturned. Regardless, there's little reason any of that should preclude him from working in this area -- he has a PhD from Caltech, and has been working in the DARPA research arena for many years. He also has a deep understanding of the nature of intelligence gathering and what needs to be done to make it better.
I wouldn't be so sure. Private enterprises will surely object to the inconvenience, not to mention the huge potential for abuse; this is not to mention the fact that I'm sure many companies don't want it slipping out exactly what details of your life they know. For once the corruption of the government should work for us: lobbyists from major private firms will hopefully be enough to counterbalance the military's influence in this matter.
This is the best post I have read in a long long time.
Tim
Omnia vestra castrorum habetur nobis.
You are sort of right. I went and looked it up. True his conviction was overturned on appeal. But the reason was not because he was innocent. Rather the grounds for overturning the conviction were that his testominy before congress had immunized him from prosecution. He is a convicted felon. He just had the conviction overturned but no one, no even poindexter or oliver north, denies he committed a felony.
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
M.S., Physics, California Institute of Technology, 1961
B.S., Engineering, U.S. Naval Academy, 1958 Experience Summary
Brings a unique blend of experience to problems from the highest levels of government to the laboratory. Demonstrated exceptional management and command ability ranging from naval operations to the national security of the United States. Noted for creative solutions to difficult issues and ability to quickly grasp the essence of new tasks. Goal oriented. Professional Background DARPA Information Awareness Office, Director 2002 - Present
The mission of the Information Awareness Office (IAO) is to imagine, develop, apply, integrate, demonstrate and transition information technologies, components, and prototype closed-loop information systems that will counter asymmetric threats (most notably, terrorist threats) by achieving total information awareness: enabling preemption; national security warning; and, national security decision making.
SYNTEK Technologies, Senior Vice President 1996 - 2002
SYNTEK is a small high technology firm with contracts in domestic and international defense and commercial business. Poindexter was responsible for high-level advice on management and direction of information systems projects (for example Defense Advanced Research Project Agency's Project Genoa).
TP Systems, Inc., Co-founder 1990 - 1996
TP Systems was a software development firm specializing in commercial software for the IBM PC's and compatibles. Poindexter was the chief designer and programmer. Development included a symbolic debugger for multi-tasking environments, a BBS communications program plus numerous utility programs.
Elkins Group, Consultant 1993 - 1996
Elkins was a business alliance with Electronic Data Systems (EDS), has developed Elkins Interactive Training Network (EITN), a satellite based training delivery system that has world-wide marketing potential. Poindexter was the Chairman of the Maritime Advisory Committee and a member of the Board of Directors. He also provided advice on strategic planning.
Presearch, Inc., Senior Scientist 1988 - 1989 Presearch had primarily been involved with defense studies and analysis. Faced with anticipated defense budget reductions, Poindexter joined the firm to develop new
and so on. No where does he mention his crimes.
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
later convicted for his role in the Iran-Contra diversion of monies and coverup. Poindexter's conviction was overturned on appeal -- but don't let that fool you into thinking the appeal court cleared him. Instead of dismissing the conviction, they ordered a new trial. Luckily for the Admiral, President Bush the First pardoned him, obviating the retrial.
This is the sort of shady character we want implementing any sort of information system?? Have we decided that the only way to beat felons, thugs, and barbarians is to hire some of our own?
The Mongrel Dogs Who Teach
This will violate the Posse Commitatus Act of 1878.
s /T rebilcock.htm
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/1385.html
Sec. 1385. - Use of Army and Air Force as posse comitatus
Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both
Now if Congress allows this, it's perfectly legal. I doubt it will happen, there are some privacy activists in the Senate and House.
http://www.homelandsecurity.org/journal/article
"The original 1878 Posse Comitatus Act was indeed passed with the intent of removing the Army from domestic law enforcement. Posse comitatus means "the power of the county," reflecting the inherent power of the old West county sheriff to call upon a posse of able-bodied men to supplement law enforcement assets and thereby maintain the peace. Following the Civil War, the Army had been used extensively throughout the South to maintain civil order, to enforce the policies of the Reconstruction era, and to ensure that any lingering sentiments of rebellion were crushed. However, in reaching those goals, the Army necessarily became involved in traditional police roles and in enforcing politically volatile Reconstruction-era policies. The stationing of federal troops at political events and polling places under the justification of maintaining domestic order became of increasing concern to Congress, which felt that the Army was becoming politicized and straying from its original national defense mission. The Posse Comitatus Act was passed to remove the Army from civilian law enforcement and to return it to its role of defending the borders of the United States."
http://www.dojgov.net/posse_comitatus_act.htm
http://law.wustl.edu/WULQ/75-2/752-10.html
That is a very simplistic view of the House and Senate.
From Jan 21st 1993 to Jan 8th 1995 the Senate and House were strongly Democrat and a Democrat was President.
The Clinton White House thought that they could run wild in 93-94 with control of both Congress and the White House.
It was very difficult, even with control of the Senate and House to accomplish anything.
Just because a Senator or Representative has a D or an R after thier name DOES NOT mean they will tow a party line.
Look at the Impeachment of Clinton, the Senate was in Republican control and they couldn't get the votes to find him guilty.
Many things in the Senate will take a 2/3rds Majority, which will mean getting 15 or more Democrats to vote thier way.
The House may come up with a Bill that the Senate just doesn't like, it's much harder to get the Senate to agree to a Bill than the House.
Senators are more elite than the Represenatives, even if that house has less power, and Senators are more likely to push thier State's view than a Representative, if you get someone like Hatch to oppose something, it won't pass.
Don't think for a second if the GOP control of both houses will make things a cake walk for the President from a Lawmaking point of view.
It will help with getting Judges and Justices appointed, but laws are another story.
Vice Adm. John Poindexter's wife was my den mother for WEBELOS circa 1978. Prior to meeting the Poindexters I was a big scouting enthusiast. After being forced to spend time with those two, I was out of scouting forever.
Both Vice Adm. Poindexter and his horrible shrew of a wife are bland uninsightful drones. He has made a career out of mediocraty. Never willing to put himself or his career at risk for 'what's right', he's always done 'what's popular'. He is a perfect political animal.
Having many heros who served faithfully in the United States Navy, I am disgusted that this SOB has continued to hold positions of leadership in the modern Navy. I'm not sure how deep his level of involvement was with the Iran-Contra affair, but it wouldn't suprise me in the least to learn he lied and schemed to protect his own ass at the expense of honor and country. To beleive that he would head such a program and as the leader of the department have the integrity to protect the rights of Joe Citizen is something I can't even begin to imagine.
All your secrets are belong to us.
> Today groups like Al Qaeda bomb buildings and take full responsibility for it.
Oh? When did Al Qaeda take responsibility for
the WTC implosions? Did I miss something?
I thought it was paid for by the Pakistani
intelligence service (the director of which wired
Mohammed Atta 100,000$ a week before, and then
went to the U.S. to meet with CIA and Senators
on the 11th of September, if the Washington Post
is to be believed).
As I recall, Tony Blair's dossier of "evidence"
presented to Parliament to justify the invasion
of Pipelineistan contained approximately NO
evidence of a connection between bin Laden and
the Saudi and Egyptian passengers who the FBI
claimed hijacked the planes on 2001/9/11.
-I like my women like I like my tea: green-
http://tinyurl.com/2k4f
Where do you want to be, What are you doing to get there.
Well, if you listen to such folks as Scott Ritter, UN Weapons inspector in Iraq for 8 years, it was not that clear-cut.
The heart of the issue is that the US has been pushing for 'regime change' since Papa Bush got beat in '91. The objective of disarmament and rehabilitation of Iraq and that of offing Saddam are fundamentally incompatible.
99% of weapons of mass destruction were found and destroyed by UN weapons inspectors. Was it easy? No. Did the Iraquis tell the truth? No. But through following leads of foreign equipment purchases, grilling any and all staff they pleased and inspecting any facility they wanted, the inspectors did their job.
This 1% (which, let's face it, is well within a rounding error) is the excuse that the US has been using to spread the message that the Iraquis haven't disarmed. It's an excuse.
I don't expect you to take everything I say at face value. But at least consider that (gasp) the Pentagon may not be telling the whole truth.
Wah!
Poindexter's conviction was overturned in 1990. He was not guilty. Federation of American Scientists
See the Independent Counsel's Report on Iran-Contra: "Poindexter in April 1990 was convicted by a jury on five felony counts of conspiracy, false statements, destruction and removal of records and obstruction of Congress. The Court of Appeals reversed his conviction in November 1991 on the immunized testimony issue."
The White House has defended Poindexter's current role. When asked in a February 25 press conference about the new appointment, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said, "Admiral Poindexter is somebody who this administration thinks is an outstanding American, an outstanding citizen, who has done a very good job in what he has done for our country, serving the military." He was then asked by veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas, "How can you say that, when he told Colonel [Oliver] North to lie?" Fleischer disagreed and said, "I understand. The president thinks that Admiral Poindexter has served our nation very well."
This is a real worry. It hasn't appeared much in the mainstream press, either.
Don't forget about "Magic Lantern":
n toff.ph p
"Once installed, the Magic Lantern creates a record of every time you press a key on the computer. It's all saved in plain text, and during the FBI's next secret visit to your home or office, that information is downloaded as the agents also pick up whatever other records and papers they find of interest."
A good article about it here:
http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0222/he
Is it just me, or has privacy gone to hell in a handbasket?
A Penny for my thoughts? Here's my two cents. I got ripped off!
see here
Why don't you just incorporate the family farm? It's cheap to do, and removes any inheritance related issues since the business is no longer the entire property of one family member or the other. I know people who incorporated just to get tax breaks on school supplies; you can't tell me that a farm worth enough to run into the inheritance tax can't spend one-time cost to incorporate.
Your right to not believe: Americans United for Separation of Church and