Schmidt, 73, who headed one of the more infamous departments in the infamous Stasi, called himself appalled. The dark side to gathering such a broad, seemingly untargeted, amount of information is obvious, he said.
�It is the height of naivete to think that once collected this information won�t be used,� he said. �This is the nature of secret government organizations. The only way to protect the people�s privacy is not to allow the government to collect their information in the first place.�
The Original Anonymous Coward (profile), 6 Mar 2013 @ 9:24pm
Re: Re: Are these USAF UAVs or are they law enforcement UAVs?
So then assuming that the military will not have a major role in future UAV usage in the US, the question really is, can federal law enforcement officers use UAVs to inflict bodily harm on a person that they suspect of a crime, and if so, will they be able to do so without judicial review?
This situation would be similar to one where a US Marshal, an FBI agent, or some other federal officer shoots someone because they thought that the person was about to harm them or someone else. Who reviews those actions before the agent pulls the trigger?
What we need to think about here is this: If law enforcement officers are sent to question or arrest someone, and that person is shot in the process, that's one thing. If the officers were sent to kill the person, that's something entirely else. That's what we are facing.
The Original Anonymous Coward (profile), 6 Mar 2013 @ 6:50pm
Are these USAF UAVs or are they law enforcement UAVs?
When people talk about "drones", we have to sort out whether the unmanned aerial vehicles / remotely piloted vehicles are being operated by the US military or by some US law enforcement agency, such as DHS or a local sheriff's department or police department.
The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 (last updated in 1981) and the Insurrection Act of 1807 (last updated in 2008) govern the use of the US military within the borders of the US. They prohibit the use of military resources in a law enforcement role with certain exceptions. Operating UAVs/RPVs would fall under these laws and some of the exceptions would allow for the military to operate "drones" in the US.
When UAVs/RPVs become available to federal, state, and local law enforcement, it will be a whole new world.
The Original Anonymous Coward (profile), 12 Feb 2013 @ 9:03pm
Will he understand the question?
I believe that the President is not interested in such things as copyright and the DCMA and therefore has no knowledge of how they work or their implications. I believe that he spends most of his time worrying about how he will be able to shape the economy and American society.
Would he even understand the problem? I think not. If he does tackle the question, his answer will most likely have been given to him by his minions.
The Original Anonymous Coward (profile), 28 Nov 2012 @ 2:35pm
Civil law is different than military law
Manning is subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) which in some ways is more protective of defendants' rights and in some ways can mandate more severe punishment. It was signed into law in 1950 by President Truman. This is not new legislation.
Everyone who enters the US military is made aware of the UCMJ. Manning knew the risks and lost. If he was standing up for his ethical beliefs, good for him, but he should also be willing to accept the consequences.
The Original Anonymous Coward (profile), 28 Aug 2012 @ 9:39pm
The reason? Nativism...
The US has a long history of nativism {Wikipedia] where trained and talented people from other countries were denied entrance, or once on shore, were mistreated. We are seeing that same thing raise it's ugly head once again.
The Original Anonymous Coward (profile), 3 Aug 2012 @ 8:34am
Sports is just another profit-oriented industry
Be it pro sports, college sports in the US, or now the athletic-games-that-shall-not-be-mentioned, the whole point of the event is to generate revenue, and the guilty parties include the US Infernal Revenue Service which has determined the amount of money that the US medal winners must pay on the value of the gold and silver in their medals.
Congratulations on winning boys and girls! Now where's our check?
The Original Anonymous Coward (profile), 26 Jul 2012 @ 9:48am
Comparing apples and oranges
The shooting in Norway was performed by a local person who did not like some of his government's policies.
The two attacks on the world trade center were done by foreign organizations who did not and continue to not like the United States' policies.
See the difference?
I wonder if Norway would have reacted differently if a foreign organization had on two separate occasions killed over 3000 of their citizens in their largest city.
The Original Anonymous Coward (profile), 19 Jun 2012 @ 9:45am
I'd like to see a similar study of "Deadwood"
I seem to remember that the "Deadwood" mini-series held some sort of record for the most cuss words used per minute, or something like that, and also that these words were not actually used back in the 1800's. Words like f*ck, c*nt, etc...
Apparently the producers did their best to keep all the other parts of the episodes as close to that time period as possible, but unfortunately for them, the words that were shockers back in those days aren't shocking anymore, so they had to "update" the cussing.
The Original Anonymous Coward (profile), 12 Jun 2012 @ 10:30am
What about cars?
A few years ago I bought a used Audi from someone. This vehicle was built in Neckarsulm, Germany and imported into the US. It has software in the computer, the copyright of which belongs to Audi in Germany.
Question: Can I have the seller arrested for copyright violation, get my money back, and keep the car? It's really nice...
The Original Anonymous Coward (profile), 11 Jun 2012 @ 4:41pm
Government Statistics are Amazing
A Bureau of Labor Statistics guy testified in front of a congressional committee the other day and agreed that bus driver jobs are considered green jobs. Since that bus driver takes people to the grocery store where they interact with other people who have IP-related jobs, couldn't the bus driver's job be counted as IP-related as well?
There you go! That one job fills a slot in two of the administration's favorite job categories! It's a double win!
The Original Anonymous Coward (profile), 11 Jun 2012 @ 10:36am
Typical Salesman-speak
In the sales world they have been indoctrinated to think view at the world this way. Look at all the TV commercials that tell you that something has a value of $X but they will sell it to you in the next 15 minutes for $Y, a terrific savings of $Z!
It doesn't matter if the item isn't "worth" $X to me. They tell me it is. Is the latest PC video game "worth" $49.99? Maybe not if there is a similar one selling for $29.99.
Using EA's analogy, if I can buy a pair of shoes at Target that meets my needs and feel really comfy, why would I pay double at Nordstroms? Other than the feeling of being superior than the folks who shop at Target, or heaven forbid, Walmart? Hahahaha...
The Original Anonymous Coward (profile), 5 Jun 2012 @ 11:02am
I still have unlimited data bandwidth through T-Mobile
My T-Mobile non-contract family plan still provides me with unlimited data, unlimited voice, and unlimited text and that includes tethering use for an extra $10 per month. My only issue is that I live in an area with mostly EDGE coverage so I never actually get close to 5GB per month. LOL!
BTW - I don't think that T-Mobile offers this type of account anymore, so I guess that I am one of the lucky ones with this kind of grandfathered setup.
On the post: Ed Snowden Covered His Tracks Well; How Many Other NSA Staffers Did The Same?
The answer was here earlier in Techdirt
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130627/15455123642/former-east-german-stasi-officer-e xpresses-admiration-dismay-us-governments-surveillance-capabilities.shtml
This is the best quote:
Schmidt, 73, who headed one of the more infamous departments in the infamous Stasi, called himself appalled. The dark side to gathering such a broad, seemingly untargeted, amount of information is obvious, he said.
�It is the height of naivete to think that once collected this information won�t be used,� he said. �This is the nature of secret government organizations. The only way to protect the people�s privacy is not to allow the government to collect their information in the first place.�
On the post: Judge Wright Tells Team Prenda To Pay $80k, Refers Their Activity To State Bars, Feds & IRS
"No taxes have been paid on this income"
Hahahahahaha...
On the post: Eric Holder On Domestic Drone Strikes: Eh, Could Happen
Re: Re: Are these USAF UAVs or are they law enforcement UAVs?
This situation would be similar to one where a US Marshal, an FBI agent, or some other federal officer shoots someone because they thought that the person was about to harm them or someone else. Who reviews those actions before the agent pulls the trigger?
What we need to think about here is this: If law enforcement officers are sent to question or arrest someone, and that person is shot in the process, that's one thing. If the officers were sent to kill the person, that's something entirely else. That's what we are facing.
On the post: Eric Holder On Domestic Drone Strikes: Eh, Could Happen
Are these USAF UAVs or are they law enforcement UAVs?
The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 (last updated in 1981) and the Insurrection Act of 1807 (last updated in 2008) govern the use of the US military within the borders of the US. They prohibit the use of military resources in a law enforcement role with certain exceptions. Operating UAVs/RPVs would fall under these laws and some of the exceptions would allow for the military to operate "drones" in the US.
When UAVs/RPVs become available to federal, state, and local law enforcement, it will be a whole new world.
On the post: Would President Obama Answer A Question About The DMCA During His Google Hangout?
Will he understand the question?
Would he even understand the problem? I think not. If he does tackle the question, his answer will most likely have been given to him by his minions.
On the post: US Still 'Warning' Antigua That It Better Not Set Up Piracy Hub, Even As WTO Gives Approval
This is a similar to an earlier situation from the late 50's
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mouse_That_Roared_(film)
;-)
On the post: Obama Signs 'Whistleblower Protection Act' The Same Day That Whistleblower Bradley Manning Is In Court
Civil law is different than military law
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Code_Of_Military_Justice
Everyone who enters the US military is made aware of the UCMJ. Manning knew the risks and lost. If he was standing up for his ethical beliefs, good for him, but he should also be willing to accept the consequences.
On the post: Made In America: Foreign Entrepreneurs Who Will Compete Against Us
The reason? Nativism...
On the post: Olympics Shuts Down Non-Commercial Online Service That Helped People Get Tickets
Sports is just another profit-oriented industry
Congratulations on winning boys and girls! Now where's our check?
On the post: One Year After The Breivik Massacre, Norway Continues To Fight Terrorism With Democracy, Openness And Love
Comparing apples and oranges
The two attacks on the world trade center were done by foreign organizations who did not and continue to not like the United States' policies.
See the difference?
I wonder if Norway would have reacted differently if a foreign organization had on two separate occasions killed over 3000 of their citizens in their largest city.
On the post: Sports Stars Rushing To The Trademark Office: Fear The Brow & That's A Clown Question, Bro
What about Brook Shields?
On the post: Speak Out Against Copyright Holders Destroying True Property Rights
Re: two party system, FTW!
On the post: Speak Out Against Copyright Holders Destroying True Property Rights
How will I know if I'm a criminal?
Looks like eBay and Craig's List are doomed...
On the post: Google Books Data Mining Reveals Mad Men's Big Historical Flaw: Business Lingo
I'd like to see a similar study of "Deadwood"
Apparently the producers did their best to keep all the other parts of the episodes as close to that time period as possible, but unfortunately for them, the words that were shockers back in those days aren't shocking anymore, so they had to "update" the cussing.
On the post: Why The Supreme Court Needs To Make Sure That Selling A Used iPad Isn't A Copyright Violation
What about cars?
Question: Can I have the seller arrested for copyright violation, get my money back, and keep the car? It's really nice...
;-)
On the post: Commerce Department's Own Study Debunks Commerce Department's Defense Of Said Study
Government Statistics are Amazing
There you go! That one job fills a slot in two of the administration's favorite job categories! It's a double win!
On the post: EA Believes That Making A Lot Of Money Is Less Important Than Keeping Games Expensive
Re: Typical Salesman-speak
On the post: EA Believes That Making A Lot Of Money Is Less Important Than Keeping Games Expensive
Typical Salesman-speak
It doesn't matter if the item isn't "worth" $X to me. They tell me it is. Is the latest PC video game "worth" $49.99? Maybe not if there is a similar one selling for $29.99.
Using EA's analogy, if I can buy a pair of shoes at Target that meets my needs and feel really comfy, why would I pay double at Nordstroms? Other than the feeling of being superior than the folks who shop at Target, or heaven forbid, Walmart? Hahahaha...
On the post: Sprint Changes 'Unlimited' Broadband To 5 Gigs... While Still Advertising Unlimited Broadband
I still have unlimited data bandwidth through T-Mobile
BTW - I don't think that T-Mobile offers this type of account anymore, so I guess that I am one of the lucky ones with this kind of grandfathered setup.
On the post: In Which I Debate A Media Mogul Who Insists It's Crazy To Give Content Away For Free
Re: Embed mildly broken
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