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Database Records and "In Plain Sight" Searches
chriswaco writes "A federal appeals court ruled that database records are not 'in plain sight' when other records in the same database are subpoenaed. The case involved Major League Baseball drug test results, but the implications are far wider."
Oh yeah, a much better article on Wired! Despite the bad link and very short summary, it is still an important issue. They key is that they say "Ideally, when searching a computerâ(TM)s hard drive, the government should cull the specific data described in the search warrant, rather than copy the entire drive, the San Francisco-based appeals court ruled. When thatâ(TM)s not possible, the feds must use an independent third party under the courtâ(TM)s supervision," So basically, they had a warrant for 10 drug results, but happened to find 104 results, and took them all. This ruling is a good one in my eyes. Now, they keyword I see there is "ideally", which seems to mean it could be stretched both ways by a smart lawyer, but still overall good stuff.
"It's ok, I'm completely secure as long as my iron is off"
>>>"Hello, I'm a constituent, and I'd like to talk to [ my rep ] about technical issues being proposed / in the news / reflecting the upcoming election.
>
Several times. They just don't listen. For example I spoke to my Senator about the DTV conversion, and how the power levels were set too low for VHF channels 6, 8, 10, 11, and 13 such that they could not be received with the indoor antennas most viewers use. He thanked me and then promptly did nothing.
Next I talked to him about Comcast's monopoly and how it is working to "lock up" television programming (cable shows) behind walls, such that only Comcast subscribers could access them, but not Verizon subscribers (like me). He gave told me he supports net neutrality and that's why he's not going to interfere with Comcast's running of its business and he sees nothing wrong with the practice. (Huh?) I later checked and found he gets million from Comcast in contributions.
And of course I've witnessed what's happening with the townhalls, where he basically told the people he's not listening to their cries to "leave my healthcare alone". He's taken a Nixon-like tactic of saying there's a silent majority and he's serving them. (I would argue if such a majority existed, it should speak up not be silent.)
Democracy doesn't work if the reps refuse to hear what we're saying.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall