Slashdot Mirror
House of Reps. Passes Act To Limit TIA Powers
WigginX writes "As part of the 2004 Defense Appropriations Act, approved yesterday by the House of Representatives, no government agency may implement any part of Terrorism Information Awareness (formerly Total Information Awareness) without authorization from Congress. The Federation of American Scientists' Project on Government Secrecy has mirrored the text of the provision."
YAHOOO!
What more can we say? This is a good thing. Although, this still leaves the measures in the act usuable, just whoever wants to use them needs to apply a little extra grease to the gears now.
Th
First poster said it all in terms of my gut reaction--woohoo!
On the other hand, Adm. Poindexter also was involved in the Iran-Contra affair, which was ALSO specifically forbidden by Congress. So I'd keep a close eye on things just the same, despite the legislation in place--which is an important step, don't get me wrong.
"America has done some terrible things. But I know that Americans don't cheer when innocents die." -Dave Barry
While it's tempting to jump for joy, I'm not sure this is really anything meaningful. Remember that TIA ia a DARPA program, meaning that it's technology that is still very much in its infancy. TIA probably wouldn't be able to be rolled out for several years yet just because it hasn't been developed, yet alone tested, yet. True, whenever it finally IS ready for action they'll need to get congressional approval but who knows what the world will be like then? Hell, maybe this action will be repealed between now and then!
In short, I'm not sure this is much to celebrate. It seems like an attempt on the part of congress to reassure the public without actually putting any meaningful constraints on DARPA or the TIA program.
GMD
watch this
Well put. As you pointed out, this only forbids using the money specifically appropriated in this bill, it doesn't prevent domestic spying on Americans funded by other sources such as black box money or 'private' sources such as Reagan/Bush's secret sales of missiles to Iran right after they held Americans hostage for 444 days. But I also think it is a step in the right direction even if it is only paying lip service to Liberty. Maybe it is at least a sign that the pendulum's swing is slowing.
How about something simple, but inclusive, like:
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated"