How YouTube Broadcasts Your Taste in Videos
By Saul Hansell
The slogan of YouTube is “Broadcast Yourself.” I’ve got to wonder if many YouTube users are broadcasting information about their tastes in video far more widely than they understand.
Google’s video site lets you subscribe to a “channel”—a collection of videos from one person or company—so you can get reminders about new clips from sources that interest you. When you do this, your user name and photo is usually listed on the page of the channel you are subscribing to. And there is no way for you to keep your subscription private.
That means that if you have some reason to want to follow videos from channels like Youth Suicide/Domestic Violence Health, ProstateCancerMD , Bankruptcy Attorneys or Best Resumes of New York, anyone in the world could find out.
YouTube never explains this when you sign up for an account or use the subscription feature. There are some other aspects of using YouTube’s site that also publish its users’ viewing choices without properly explaining what is happening.
Chris Dale, a YouTube spokesman said, “We’ve never had a complaint about this issue, but we’ll look into it.” Mr. Dale declined, however, to explain why the site is designed the way it is and whether this matter is an oversight or whether it believes that these viewing choices are facts that all its users would like to share.
Even if there haven’t been complaints, this matter shines the light on issues I think operators of all Internet companies need to consider as they rush to add various social features to their sites. (Indeed, today YouTube itself announced a new part of its site that mimic’s the Facebook newsfeed.)
If a site is going to take information about you and disseminate it to others, shouldn’t it be crystal clear what is happening? Moreover, for actions on a site that might be considered private, shouldn’t users have the choice about whether to make them public?
Video may even be a special case. After the video rental history of Robert Bork, a nominee for the Supreme Court, was published, Congress passed the Video Privacy Protection Act of 1988 banning the disclosure of video viewing records.
YouTube’s origin was a site to promote sharing of personal video. It was designed with many of the features popularized by social networks and sharing sites like Flickr.
Amid YouTube’s rapid growth, the site’s design has not kept up with how people actually use it. YouTube is now both a way for friends to trade videos with each other, but it is also a broad communication medium—a way for virtually any person or company, even the president elect, to distribute video on nearly any topic. My guess is that there are far more people who use YouTube as a video search engine and a form of casual entertainment than use it to communicate with others.
As I use YouTube, and I don’t think I’m alone, I use the subscription and favorites features not to share my tastes but simply as bookmarks to keep track of things I may want to look at again.
This can be seen in how YouTube creates a channel—essentially a profile page—for all users when they establish an account or sign in using their Google account. This page, which is open to anyone on the Internet, by default, lists the other channels you subscribe to, the videos you mark as favorites, and the playlists you have made. Users can remove these sections from their channels, using a rather complex page buried in the site’s options.
There is no requirement that you use your real name in your YouTube user ID or post any identifiable information on this page. But users may well leave clues to their identities on their profiles without knowing how they may be used.
The YouTube privacy policy is misleading because it implies that information is disclosed only after users take an explicit action to add features to their channel:
If you choose to add certain features to your channel page, then these features and your activity associated with these features will be displayed to other users.
Sure there are lots of people who want to broadcast themselves. But there are others who, like Chance the Gardner in “Being There” simply say “I like to watch.”
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Monday, December 01, 2008
TV Sales Becoming Litmus Test for U.S. Economy
By MATT RICHTEL
Published: November 28, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO — In a volatile year that has turned many Americans into armchair economists, here’s an important indicator to watch this holiday shopping season: how many people are lugging home big, flat-screen televisions?
Shoppers comparing TVs on Friday at a Wal-Mart in Secaucus, N.J. Retailers use big discounts on televisions to lure consumers into stores.
The answer matters to more than just TV makers. Just as high-definition sets have become the hearth of the digital home, they are increasingly central to the fortunes of the consumer electronics industry and plenty of retailers.
And there’s reason for serious concern. While retailers are trying to use discounted TVs as a lure for shoppers, many would-be buyers continue to wait, and wait, for a magical price that is low enough to inspire a purchase. Others just have more pressing needs.
“The question is whether I buy a TV or something more important,” said David Lunsford, 62, who visited a Circuit City near here last week to shop for big-screen TVs. He would love to replace his aging rear-projection set, but he worried he needed to save money in case family members hit tough times.
“I’m a stable provider. They may turn to me,” said Mr. Lunsford, who works for the federal government.
Americans are expected to spend $28 billion this year on TVs, making them the largest segment of the $173 billion electronics industry. So far about half of American households have made the jump to flat-panel screens, which started out as status symbols but are on their way to becoming standard household appliances.
More people may choose to upgrade this year because of the national switchover to digital broadcast signals coming Feb. 17. The change, which will mostly affect people who watch over-the-air signals on older sets, has generated a good amount of consumer confusion — which could be good for sales of new sets.
TVs are also a gateway to a host of other products, like Blu-ray discs and their players, surround-sound audio systems, digital video recorders and cables.
All of these factors have led electronics stores like Circuit City and Best Buy and even less specialized chains like Sears, Wal-Mart and Office Depot, to put TVs front and center in their advertising recently, promoting them on the cover of Sunday circulars and on the home pages of Web sites. They are offering discounts — like 42-inch TVs for less than $700 and 32-inch sets for $450 — that come on top of recent steep price declines for the sets.
For the industry, the feeling is that if retailers cannot get TVs to move, the holiday season could be a bleak one indeed. In that sense, the TV market offers a glimpse of the broader tensions this year between wary consumers on the one hand and retailers and manufacturers desperate to spur sales on the other.
“The television becomes a litmus test of the robustness of the American economy,” said Richard Doherty, an electronics industry analyst with the research firm Envisioneering. In Mr. Doherty’s consumer surveys, the early word is mixed; many consumers want a new TV, but they think that if they wait to buy, retailers will drop prices further.
There were signs on Friday that more cuts might be necessary. At two malls outside Portland, Ore., the electronics stores were the only ones that were full of shoppers. But people seemed to be gravitating toward lower-priced items like video games instead of televisions.
Mr. Doherty’s firm tracked stores in New York and California
See -Harlem Blogospherehttp://harlemblogosphere.blogspot.com
Published: November 28, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO — In a volatile year that has turned many Americans into armchair economists, here’s an important indicator to watch this holiday shopping season: how many people are lugging home big, flat-screen televisions?
Shoppers comparing TVs on Friday at a Wal-Mart in Secaucus, N.J. Retailers use big discounts on televisions to lure consumers into stores.
The answer matters to more than just TV makers. Just as high-definition sets have become the hearth of the digital home, they are increasingly central to the fortunes of the consumer electronics industry and plenty of retailers.
And there’s reason for serious concern. While retailers are trying to use discounted TVs as a lure for shoppers, many would-be buyers continue to wait, and wait, for a magical price that is low enough to inspire a purchase. Others just have more pressing needs.
“The question is whether I buy a TV or something more important,” said David Lunsford, 62, who visited a Circuit City near here last week to shop for big-screen TVs. He would love to replace his aging rear-projection set, but he worried he needed to save money in case family members hit tough times.
“I’m a stable provider. They may turn to me,” said Mr. Lunsford, who works for the federal government.
Americans are expected to spend $28 billion this year on TVs, making them the largest segment of the $173 billion electronics industry. So far about half of American households have made the jump to flat-panel screens, which started out as status symbols but are on their way to becoming standard household appliances.
More people may choose to upgrade this year because of the national switchover to digital broadcast signals coming Feb. 17. The change, which will mostly affect people who watch over-the-air signals on older sets, has generated a good amount of consumer confusion — which could be good for sales of new sets.
TVs are also a gateway to a host of other products, like Blu-ray discs and their players, surround-sound audio systems, digital video recorders and cables.
All of these factors have led electronics stores like Circuit City and Best Buy and even less specialized chains like Sears, Wal-Mart and Office Depot, to put TVs front and center in their advertising recently, promoting them on the cover of Sunday circulars and on the home pages of Web sites. They are offering discounts — like 42-inch TVs for less than $700 and 32-inch sets for $450 — that come on top of recent steep price declines for the sets.
For the industry, the feeling is that if retailers cannot get TVs to move, the holiday season could be a bleak one indeed. In that sense, the TV market offers a glimpse of the broader tensions this year between wary consumers on the one hand and retailers and manufacturers desperate to spur sales on the other.
“The television becomes a litmus test of the robustness of the American economy,” said Richard Doherty, an electronics industry analyst with the research firm Envisioneering. In Mr. Doherty’s consumer surveys, the early word is mixed; many consumers want a new TV, but they think that if they wait to buy, retailers will drop prices further.
There were signs on Friday that more cuts might be necessary. At two malls outside Portland, Ore., the electronics stores were the only ones that were full of shoppers. But people seemed to be gravitating toward lower-priced items like video games instead of televisions.
Mr. Doherty’s firm tracked stores in New York and California
See -Harlem Blogospherehttp://harlemblogosphere.blogspot.com
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Pentagon launches its own version of YouTube for troops to contact families
Pentagon launches its own version of YouTube for troops to contact families
BY JANE H. FURSE DAILY NEWS WRITER
Sunday, November 16th 2008, 7:30 PM
It's YouTub Lite, heavy on the stars and stripes.
The Pentagon has launched a sanitized version of YouTube - TroopTube - that lets servicemembers give loved ones video shoutouts from the war zone.
The Pentagon went into the video sharing business last week after shutting down access to YouTube, MySpace and 10 other popular sites, a ban it initially blamed on crowded bandwidth.
Pentagon officials now concede the blocked sites were aimed mainly at preventing soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan from posting information that could help insurgents target Americans, according to Newsweek magazine.
TroopTube videos are vetted by military censors and scrubbed of any raunchy footage or content that might be "inappropriate for families," Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Les Melnyk told Newsweek.
Pentagon censors also review videos for any footage that might inadvertently help terrorists.
"If you have a video that shows the interior layout of your base [or] where the command post and the sleeping quarters are located, that could endanger the troops," Melnyk said.
The site already has 500 videos posted, including a tribute to the troops from Gen. David Petraeus
"You really are the newest greatest generation," he tells the military men and women. It's gotten 20,000 hits.
There's also "Wives Shout Out to the Third Brigade A-Troop 133 Cavalry;" "Scout Poops," an action clip of a military mom and her baby, and tributes made by everyone from the Chicago White Sox to the Oak Ridge Boys
Still, the war zone can't be completely whitewashed.
Viral material can make its way into cyberspace via cellphone video cameras, well out of range of Pentagon filters.
See---http://harlemblogosphere.blogspot.com
BY JANE H. FURSE DAILY NEWS WRITER
Sunday, November 16th 2008, 7:30 PM
It's YouTub Lite, heavy on the stars and stripes.
The Pentagon has launched a sanitized version of YouTube - TroopTube - that lets servicemembers give loved ones video shoutouts from the war zone.
The Pentagon went into the video sharing business last week after shutting down access to YouTube, MySpace and 10 other popular sites, a ban it initially blamed on crowded bandwidth.
Pentagon officials now concede the blocked sites were aimed mainly at preventing soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan from posting information that could help insurgents target Americans, according to Newsweek magazine.
TroopTube videos are vetted by military censors and scrubbed of any raunchy footage or content that might be "inappropriate for families," Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Les Melnyk told Newsweek.
Pentagon censors also review videos for any footage that might inadvertently help terrorists.
"If you have a video that shows the interior layout of your base [or] where the command post and the sleeping quarters are located, that could endanger the troops," Melnyk said.
The site already has 500 videos posted, including a tribute to the troops from Gen. David Petraeus
"You really are the newest greatest generation," he tells the military men and women. It's gotten 20,000 hits.
There's also "Wives Shout Out to the Third Brigade A-Troop 133 Cavalry;" "Scout Poops," an action clip of a military mom and her baby, and tributes made by everyone from the Chicago White Sox to the Oak Ridge Boys
Still, the war zone can't be completely whitewashed.
Viral material can make its way into cyberspace via cellphone video cameras, well out of range of Pentagon filters.
See---http://harlemblogosphere.blogspot.com
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Support the troops with touch of buttons
Support the troops with touch of buttons
BY STEPHANIE GASKELL DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, November 11th 2008, 12:50 AM
If you can't make it to the annual Veterans Day Parade in Manhattan Tuesday, there's a new way to show your support for the troops.
Send them a text message.
CELEBS WHO SERVED IN THE MARINES
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America has set up a new text-messaging system that allows users to simply type in the word "troops" and text it to 69866.
The names of the senders will be gathered and distributed to soldiers serving overseas as a sign of support.
"This is the ideal time to put our pro- or anti-war sentiments aside and rally around the troops," said IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff. "Every American has an obligation to support the brave men and women who are serving."
The city is celebrating our nation's heroes with a ceremony at the Eternal Lights Monument in Madison Square Park at 10 a.m. and a massive parade up Fifth Ave. at 11:30 a.m.
The parade is getting a boost this year with the reopening of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum.
As the parade winds up Fifth Ave., hundreds of people will also march from the Intrepid at W. 46th St., and meet up with the parade to head north together.
President Bush is scheduled to visit the Intrepid, where he will be presented with the 2008 Intrepid Freedom Award.
IAVA is also launching a social networking site for veterans today, which is called www.CommunityofVeterans.org. It's billed as a Facebook or MySpace for veterans to connect with each other and find support.
"A critical part of a veteran's successful readjustment is connecting with other veterans," said Rieckhoff. "Veterans want to be linked up with other veterans who understand. This campaign does exactly that and reaches new veterans where they already are - online"
Today's parade is a celebration of the city's 315,000 veterans from all wars, but there's a new focus on the more than 1.7 million men and women who have served or are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Most Americans still connect veterans with Vietnam or World War II.
IAVA teamed up with the Ad Council and asked 1,000 Americans what they think of when they hear the word veteran - only 2% said Iraq, and no one said Afghanistan.
"Veterans Day is a terrific opportunity for all Americans to show support for our country's newest generation of heroes," Rieckhoff said.
davidradiotv2000@yahoo.com
BY STEPHANIE GASKELL DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, November 11th 2008, 12:50 AM
If you can't make it to the annual Veterans Day Parade in Manhattan Tuesday, there's a new way to show your support for the troops.
Send them a text message.
CELEBS WHO SERVED IN THE MARINES
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America has set up a new text-messaging system that allows users to simply type in the word "troops" and text it to 69866.
The names of the senders will be gathered and distributed to soldiers serving overseas as a sign of support.
"This is the ideal time to put our pro- or anti-war sentiments aside and rally around the troops," said IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff. "Every American has an obligation to support the brave men and women who are serving."
The city is celebrating our nation's heroes with a ceremony at the Eternal Lights Monument in Madison Square Park at 10 a.m. and a massive parade up Fifth Ave. at 11:30 a.m.
The parade is getting a boost this year with the reopening of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum.
As the parade winds up Fifth Ave., hundreds of people will also march from the Intrepid at W. 46th St., and meet up with the parade to head north together.
President Bush is scheduled to visit the Intrepid, where he will be presented with the 2008 Intrepid Freedom Award.
IAVA is also launching a social networking site for veterans today, which is called www.CommunityofVeterans.org. It's billed as a Facebook or MySpace for veterans to connect with each other and find support.
"A critical part of a veteran's successful readjustment is connecting with other veterans," said Rieckhoff. "Veterans want to be linked up with other veterans who understand. This campaign does exactly that and reaches new veterans where they already are - online"
Today's parade is a celebration of the city's 315,000 veterans from all wars, but there's a new focus on the more than 1.7 million men and women who have served or are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Most Americans still connect veterans with Vietnam or World War II.
IAVA teamed up with the Ad Council and asked 1,000 Americans what they think of when they hear the word veteran - only 2% said Iraq, and no one said Afghanistan.
"Veterans Day is a terrific opportunity for all Americans to show support for our country's newest generation of heroes," Rieckhoff said.
davidradiotv2000@yahoo.com
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
The Democrat breaks the ultimate U.S. racial barrier
The Democrat breaks the ultimate U.S. racial barrier
By Mark Z. Barabak November 5, 2008
Barack Obama, the son of a father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, was elected the nation's 44th president Tuesday, breaking the ultimate racial barrier to become the first African American to claim the country's highest office.A nation founded by slave owners and seared by civil war and generations of racial strife delivered a smashing electoral college victory to the 47-year-old first-term senator from Illinois, who forged a broad, multiracial, multiethnic coalition. His victory was a leap in the march toward equality: When Obama was born, people with his skin color could not even vote in parts of America, and many were killed for trying.
At 114, a daughter of former slaves votes for Obama
3.
President Bush marks Barack Obama's historic election, vows 'complete cooperation'
4.
Obama's victory, Democratic gains will change Washington agenda
9.
Which Barack Obama will govern?
By Mark Z. Barabak November 5, 2008
Barack Obama, the son of a father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, was elected the nation's 44th president Tuesday, breaking the ultimate racial barrier to become the first African American to claim the country's highest office.A nation founded by slave owners and seared by civil war and generations of racial strife delivered a smashing electoral college victory to the 47-year-old first-term senator from Illinois, who forged a broad, multiracial, multiethnic coalition. His victory was a leap in the march toward equality: When Obama was born, people with his skin color could not even vote in parts of America, and many were killed for trying.
At 114, a daughter of former slaves votes for Obama
3.
President Bush marks Barack Obama's historic election, vows 'complete cooperation'
4.
Obama's victory, Democratic gains will change Washington agenda
9.
Which Barack Obama will govern?
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Obama campaign manager sees many paths to victory
Obama campaign manager sees many paths to victory
Play Video Video: Hillary Clinton Stumps For Obama In Miami CBS4 Miami
WASHINGTON – Barack Obama's campaign manager says the Democrat has many routes to victory in Tuesday's presidential election. Republicans predicted predicted a historic comeback for John McCain.
Campaign manager David Plouffe said Sunday that Obama has expanded the electoral map by aggressively campaigning in traditional Republican states like Virginia, Colorado and Nevada. Plouffe said he did not want to wake up on Election Day with only one way to win.
He told "Fox News Sunday" that they "wanted a lot of different ways to win this election."
With McCain down in the polls, his campaign manager, Rick Davis, says Pennsylvania is the most important state to watch Tuesday. The state is leaning toward Obama in pre-election polls.
More Stories
Statistically, does your presidential vote matter? AP - 2 hours, 32 minutes ago
Money makes the political world go around AP - 26 minutes ago
Obama takes campaign battle to GOP territory AP - Sun Nov 2, 7:21 AM ET
Where he's going in the end Politico - 1 hour, 25 minutes ago
Where he's going in the end Where he's going in the end
Jonathan Martin Jonathan Martin – 1 hr 26 mins ago
Featured Topics:
John McCain
Barack Obama
Is cartography destiny?
At the very least, John McCain's final 48-hour travel schedule reflects the degree to which Obama has determined the political map on which the campaign is being fought. Of the eight states McCain will visit, only two were in the Democrat's column in 2004. And in both -- Pennsylvania and New Hampshire -- Obama enjoys a lead in every recent public poll.
In the six red states he's stopping in the final two days, McCain is either losing, tied or up within the margin.
Most striking about McCain's schedule are two stops he is making and one he's not.
First, he'll touch down in eastern Tennessee tomorrow for a rally at the Tri-Cities Airport. Is the Volunteer State suddenly in play? No, but the airport that serves the Bristol media market happens to be on the Tennessee side of the Virginia state line. The goal here is to make a big splash on the local TV news that night in southwest Virginia and in the papers there the next day. Neither McCain nor Palin have been to this region. It's a reflection of how imperative winning Virginia is for the GOP that -- two days after McCain made stops in Hampton Roads and Fairfax -- they would fly the candidate in to drive margins in a lightly-populated part of the commonwealth to compensate for Obama's advantage in northern Virginia and in the African-American-heavy cities to the east.
Later in the day, McCain will hold his first campaign rally in Indiana. No political observer thought this summer the Hoosier State would be contested, but two polls there last week show a dead heat. McCain may still pull it out on the strength of a huge margins in the southern, heavily rural swath of the state, but that he is being forced to stop the day before the election in a state that Bush won by 20 points four years ago offers the best evidence for how the degree to which the GOP has been forced on defense. And, incidentally, note where McCain is visiting -- Indianapolis. Not only is it the largest city in the state, but Obama has pulled into a tie in the state on the strength of his effort in the capital's Marion County and its surrounding suburbs, especially fast-growing Hamilton County.
Lastly, what stands out about McCain's final fly-around is a state he's not visiting -- Colorado. Yes, Palin will stop there en route home to Alaska, but that the campiagn's high command would choose to fly McCain in to New Mexico and Nevada Monday night and pass over Colorado reflects just how much it has moved to Obama.
E-mail davidsamuels7@gmail.com
Play Video Video: Hillary Clinton Stumps For Obama In Miami CBS4 Miami
WASHINGTON – Barack Obama's campaign manager says the Democrat has many routes to victory in Tuesday's presidential election. Republicans predicted predicted a historic comeback for John McCain.
Campaign manager David Plouffe said Sunday that Obama has expanded the electoral map by aggressively campaigning in traditional Republican states like Virginia, Colorado and Nevada. Plouffe said he did not want to wake up on Election Day with only one way to win.
He told "Fox News Sunday" that they "wanted a lot of different ways to win this election."
With McCain down in the polls, his campaign manager, Rick Davis, says Pennsylvania is the most important state to watch Tuesday. The state is leaning toward Obama in pre-election polls.
More Stories
Statistically, does your presidential vote matter? AP - 2 hours, 32 minutes ago
Money makes the political world go around AP - 26 minutes ago
Obama takes campaign battle to GOP territory AP - Sun Nov 2, 7:21 AM ET
Where he's going in the end Politico - 1 hour, 25 minutes ago
Where he's going in the end Where he's going in the end
Jonathan Martin Jonathan Martin – 1 hr 26 mins ago
Featured Topics:
John McCain
Barack Obama
Is cartography destiny?
At the very least, John McCain's final 48-hour travel schedule reflects the degree to which Obama has determined the political map on which the campaign is being fought. Of the eight states McCain will visit, only two were in the Democrat's column in 2004. And in both -- Pennsylvania and New Hampshire -- Obama enjoys a lead in every recent public poll.
In the six red states he's stopping in the final two days, McCain is either losing, tied or up within the margin.
Most striking about McCain's schedule are two stops he is making and one he's not.
First, he'll touch down in eastern Tennessee tomorrow for a rally at the Tri-Cities Airport. Is the Volunteer State suddenly in play? No, but the airport that serves the Bristol media market happens to be on the Tennessee side of the Virginia state line. The goal here is to make a big splash on the local TV news that night in southwest Virginia and in the papers there the next day. Neither McCain nor Palin have been to this region. It's a reflection of how imperative winning Virginia is for the GOP that -- two days after McCain made stops in Hampton Roads and Fairfax -- they would fly the candidate in to drive margins in a lightly-populated part of the commonwealth to compensate for Obama's advantage in northern Virginia and in the African-American-heavy cities to the east.
Later in the day, McCain will hold his first campaign rally in Indiana. No political observer thought this summer the Hoosier State would be contested, but two polls there last week show a dead heat. McCain may still pull it out on the strength of a huge margins in the southern, heavily rural swath of the state, but that he is being forced to stop the day before the election in a state that Bush won by 20 points four years ago offers the best evidence for how the degree to which the GOP has been forced on defense. And, incidentally, note where McCain is visiting -- Indianapolis. Not only is it the largest city in the state, but Obama has pulled into a tie in the state on the strength of his effort in the capital's Marion County and its surrounding suburbs, especially fast-growing Hamilton County.
Lastly, what stands out about McCain's final fly-around is a state he's not visiting -- Colorado. Yes, Palin will stop there en route home to Alaska, but that the campiagn's high command would choose to fly McCain in to New Mexico and Nevada Monday night and pass over Colorado reflects just how much it has moved to Obama.
E-mail davidsamuels7@gmail.com
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Iraq denounces Syria raid, seeks U.S. pact changes
Iraq denounces Syria raid, seeks U.S. pact changes
By Mariam Karouny and Waleed Ibrahim Mariam Karouny And Waleed Ibrahim – 32 mins ago
Reuters – A U.S soldier walks out of a vehicle during a patrol in a village near Baquba, in Diyala province, northeast …
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq drew up amendments on Tuesday that it will demand of the United States in a bid to salvage an agreement allowing U.S. forces to remain beyond the end of this year.
Baghdad also issued a belated rebuke of Washington for a helicopter strike on Syria, a sign of the pressure Iraq's government is under to reassure its neighbors that it is not letting U.S. forces use its territory against them.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will now send U.S. negotiators the proposed amendments to the security deal, government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said.
Washington and Baghdad have been scrambling to get the bilateral pact in place to provide a legal basis for the U.S. presence after a U.N. mandate ends on December 31, but it was held up last week when Baghdad said it would demand changes.
Dabbagh did not provide details of the proposed amendments. Asked if they covered just the wording of the deal, he said: "the wording, yes, and some of the content."
But a cabinet member indicated that the proposed changes would not require the pact's main points to be renegotiated.
"The most important changes are in those articles which could be interpreted more than one way," Environment Minister Nermeen Othman, who attended the cabinet meeting, told Reuters. "We worked to avoid any ambiguity."
The pact already includes a number of key concessions to Baghdad, such as a 2011 withdrawal date and a mechanism for Iraq to try U.S. troops for major crimes committed while off duty. Othman said the proposed amendments would not alter the pact's wording on the issue of legal jurisdiction over U.S. troops.
U.S. officials said they had not yet seen the proposed changes, but they have made clear that they are reluctant to make substantial revisions to a text hammered out over months.
"We believe that the current draft agreement is a good agreement. Both countries have worked on this current draft for many months and we believe that the current draft addresses the concerns of both," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.
POLITICAL DIVISIONS
The future of the foreign military presence remains sharply divisive for Iraq's political class more than five years after the U.S.-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein.
Iraq's powerful Shi'ite political parties have historical ties to Iran, which has long claimed that the pact would allow Washington to use Iraq as a base for attacks on its neighbors.
The strike on Syria puts that argument in a starker light. The Iraqi government did not condemn it until nearly two days after it took place, and had earlier justified it as targeting an area used as a staging ground for militant attacks on Iraq.
"The Iraqi government rejects U.S. aircraft bombarding posts inside Syria. The constitution does not allow Iraq to be used as a staging ground to attack neighboring countries," Dabbagh said on Tuesday, finally condemning Sunday's U.S. strike.
Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem had angrily denounced Iraq's initial description of the strike as targeting insurgents. He said the attack killed eight civilians.
A senior Shi'ite member of parliament said the U.S. strike's timing makes it more difficult to gather support for the pact.
"The whole strike is confusing for us. Why now, why at this time when we are negotiating the pact?" he said. "One of the red lines which neither Maliki nor any of the other political powers would allow to be crossed is the use of Iraq as a staging ground to attack other countries."
The decision on the pact is widely seen as requiring Iraq's ruling Shi'ites to choose between supporting their new friends in Washington and their old friends in Tehran.
If no deal is in place by the end of the year, officials could seek an extension of the current U.N. mandate, but Iraqi officials have made clear they prefer a satisfactory pact.
The United States has threatened to halt virtually all its activities in Iraq -- from security patrols to logistical support for the Iraqi army to airport traffic control -- if no formal legal mandate is in place come January 1.
(Additional reporting by Andrew Gray in Washington; writing by Missy Ryan and Peter Graff; editing by Richard Balmforth)
By Mariam Karouny and Waleed Ibrahim Mariam Karouny And Waleed Ibrahim – 32 mins ago
Reuters – A U.S soldier walks out of a vehicle during a patrol in a village near Baquba, in Diyala province, northeast …
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq drew up amendments on Tuesday that it will demand of the United States in a bid to salvage an agreement allowing U.S. forces to remain beyond the end of this year.
Baghdad also issued a belated rebuke of Washington for a helicopter strike on Syria, a sign of the pressure Iraq's government is under to reassure its neighbors that it is not letting U.S. forces use its territory against them.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will now send U.S. negotiators the proposed amendments to the security deal, government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said.
Washington and Baghdad have been scrambling to get the bilateral pact in place to provide a legal basis for the U.S. presence after a U.N. mandate ends on December 31, but it was held up last week when Baghdad said it would demand changes.
Dabbagh did not provide details of the proposed amendments. Asked if they covered just the wording of the deal, he said: "the wording, yes, and some of the content."
But a cabinet member indicated that the proposed changes would not require the pact's main points to be renegotiated.
"The most important changes are in those articles which could be interpreted more than one way," Environment Minister Nermeen Othman, who attended the cabinet meeting, told Reuters. "We worked to avoid any ambiguity."
The pact already includes a number of key concessions to Baghdad, such as a 2011 withdrawal date and a mechanism for Iraq to try U.S. troops for major crimes committed while off duty. Othman said the proposed amendments would not alter the pact's wording on the issue of legal jurisdiction over U.S. troops.
U.S. officials said they had not yet seen the proposed changes, but they have made clear that they are reluctant to make substantial revisions to a text hammered out over months.
"We believe that the current draft agreement is a good agreement. Both countries have worked on this current draft for many months and we believe that the current draft addresses the concerns of both," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.
POLITICAL DIVISIONS
The future of the foreign military presence remains sharply divisive for Iraq's political class more than five years after the U.S.-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein.
Iraq's powerful Shi'ite political parties have historical ties to Iran, which has long claimed that the pact would allow Washington to use Iraq as a base for attacks on its neighbors.
The strike on Syria puts that argument in a starker light. The Iraqi government did not condemn it until nearly two days after it took place, and had earlier justified it as targeting an area used as a staging ground for militant attacks on Iraq.
"The Iraqi government rejects U.S. aircraft bombarding posts inside Syria. The constitution does not allow Iraq to be used as a staging ground to attack neighboring countries," Dabbagh said on Tuesday, finally condemning Sunday's U.S. strike.
Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem had angrily denounced Iraq's initial description of the strike as targeting insurgents. He said the attack killed eight civilians.
A senior Shi'ite member of parliament said the U.S. strike's timing makes it more difficult to gather support for the pact.
"The whole strike is confusing for us. Why now, why at this time when we are negotiating the pact?" he said. "One of the red lines which neither Maliki nor any of the other political powers would allow to be crossed is the use of Iraq as a staging ground to attack other countries."
The decision on the pact is widely seen as requiring Iraq's ruling Shi'ites to choose between supporting their new friends in Washington and their old friends in Tehran.
If no deal is in place by the end of the year, officials could seek an extension of the current U.N. mandate, but Iraqi officials have made clear they prefer a satisfactory pact.
The United States has threatened to halt virtually all its activities in Iraq -- from security patrols to logistical support for the Iraqi army to airport traffic control -- if no formal legal mandate is in place come January 1.
(Additional reporting by Andrew Gray in Washington; writing by Missy Ryan and Peter Graff; editing by Richard Balmforth)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Behind Powell's choice: principle, not race
Behind Powell's choice: principle, not race
BY LAWRENCE WILKERSON
Wednesday, October 22nd 2008, 4:54 PM
After endorsing Barack Obama on Sunday, Colin Powell - my former boss and my friend - has already scorn from the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Pat Buchanan, both of whom accused him of favoring Obama because of the color of his (and Powell's) skin.
"I am now researching his past endorsements to see if I can find all the inexperienced, very liberal, white candidates he has endorsed. I'll let you know what I come up with," said Limbaugh - trying, with his typical class, to convert a difficult personal decision into a crass and opportunistic one about race.
Because Powell isn't one to mix it up with the right-wing media, which has long distrusted him, allow me to say a few words in his defense.
Colin Powell is a New Yorker. New Yorkers tend to be realists - that is, they take the world for what it is: they adapt, they maneuver, they succeed or fail. Then they move on. By endorsing Obama, Powell once again demonstrated this aspect of his character.
I know deep in my bones, this was a judgment he made as a pragmatist and a patriot who cares deeply about America's reputation in the world. Not, I insist, as a man who happens to be black.
In endorsing Obama, Powell said he was transformational. He said he was unflappable. He said he displayed sound judgment, was able to listen to advice, was able to unify, to heal, and to use the bully pulpit - one of the few effective instruments available to our President - with skill and with purpose.
Powell also addressed his belief that the challenges presented by the current financial and economic crisis can best be met by Obama. It is clear that Obama's careful, methodical approach to this crisis so far has instilled confidence in his ability to do just that.
All this demonstrates is a realist's appreciation of the potential that exists in this man who has managed one of the best campaigns in recent memory, brought out young people in unheard of numbers, and raised money in unprecedented amounts - and principally from $50 to $100 donations given month by month by citizens from Maine to Montana, from Michigan to Mississippi, leaving him few special interests to which he is beholden, unless the vast middle class of America can be called "a special interest."
That same no-nonsense, New York way of seeing things can be applied to the other man in this presidential race, Sen. John McCain.
McCain is anything but transformational. He marks the end of an era, not the beginning. He has exchanged what was his trademark value - his independence, his ability to say no, even to his own party - for a pandering to the so-called Republican base, a base that has been diminished markedly by the fiscally irresponsible Bush-Cheney administration. See-http://harlemcommunityorganizers.blogspot.com
BY LAWRENCE WILKERSON
Wednesday, October 22nd 2008, 4:54 PM
After endorsing Barack Obama on Sunday, Colin Powell - my former boss and my friend - has already scorn from the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Pat Buchanan, both of whom accused him of favoring Obama because of the color of his (and Powell's) skin.
"I am now researching his past endorsements to see if I can find all the inexperienced, very liberal, white candidates he has endorsed. I'll let you know what I come up with," said Limbaugh - trying, with his typical class, to convert a difficult personal decision into a crass and opportunistic one about race.
Because Powell isn't one to mix it up with the right-wing media, which has long distrusted him, allow me to say a few words in his defense.
Colin Powell is a New Yorker. New Yorkers tend to be realists - that is, they take the world for what it is: they adapt, they maneuver, they succeed or fail. Then they move on. By endorsing Obama, Powell once again demonstrated this aspect of his character.
I know deep in my bones, this was a judgment he made as a pragmatist and a patriot who cares deeply about America's reputation in the world. Not, I insist, as a man who happens to be black.
In endorsing Obama, Powell said he was transformational. He said he was unflappable. He said he displayed sound judgment, was able to listen to advice, was able to unify, to heal, and to use the bully pulpit - one of the few effective instruments available to our President - with skill and with purpose.
Powell also addressed his belief that the challenges presented by the current financial and economic crisis can best be met by Obama. It is clear that Obama's careful, methodical approach to this crisis so far has instilled confidence in his ability to do just that.
All this demonstrates is a realist's appreciation of the potential that exists in this man who has managed one of the best campaigns in recent memory, brought out young people in unheard of numbers, and raised money in unprecedented amounts - and principally from $50 to $100 donations given month by month by citizens from Maine to Montana, from Michigan to Mississippi, leaving him few special interests to which he is beholden, unless the vast middle class of America can be called "a special interest."
That same no-nonsense, New York way of seeing things can be applied to the other man in this presidential race, Sen. John McCain.
McCain is anything but transformational. He marks the end of an era, not the beginning. He has exchanged what was his trademark value - his independence, his ability to say no, even to his own party - for a pandering to the so-called Republican base, a base that has been diminished markedly by the fiscally irresponsible Bush-Cheney administration. See-http://harlemcommunityorganizers.blogspot.com
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Six Must-Know HDTV Facts
Six Must-Know HDTV Facts
Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:27AM EDT
See Comments (100)
Disappointed by how fuzzy CNN looks on your new HDTV? Wondering why Jack Bauer looks so soft and plump on your new flat-screen? Maybe it's because you're not really watching HD on your high-def TV.
According to Audioholics almost half of the 24 million homes with HDTVs lack an HD cable or satellite feed, and about a quarter of those surveyed didn't even know they were still watching non-HD signals. Why such big numbers? Actually, it's not hard to understand; I can't tell you how many times I've watched salespeople at TV stores push HDTVs on hapless shoppers, going on and on about the razor-sharp picture and surround sound, but not bothering to tell them how to get HD signals into their living rooms. The Audioholics story ticks off six things you need toknow before you buy an HDTV, and it's a must-read if you're in the market for your first high-def set. Here's a brief summary of some of the pointers, along with some thoughts of my own:
Your new HDTV needs an HD feed: Just plugging your regular cable or satellite box into your new HD set won't get you a high-def picture. You'll need to contact your cable or satellite provider and ask for an HD set-top box (satellite subscribers may also have to upgrade their dishes), and you may want to sign up for an HD subscription plan, as well (which typically offer channels like Discovery HD Theater and HDNet). Still watching TV using an over-the-air antenna? A good, properly aligned rooftop antenna may still do a good job of pulling down HD signals, but unless your HDTV has a built-in HD tuner (many don't), you'll have to buy a separate high-def tuner box to go with your set.
Your HDTV/set-top box/cables must be configured properly: First, make sure you're using the right inputs when connecting your HD set-top box to your HDTV. You must use either the component-video inputs (a trio of RCA-type plugs, marked "Y," "Pb," and "Pr") the DVI input or the HDMI input. The composite and S-Video connectors on your TV can't receive HD signals, so if the cable guy starts hooking those inputs up, time to raise the red flag. Also, your cable or satellite HD box must be set to send an HD signal to your display; go to the set-top box menu and look for the display settings, and select either 720p or 1080i (depending on the native resolution of your HDTV). Finally, once you're ready to watch HD, make sure you're watching the right channel. If you're used to watching ABC on, say, cable channel 7, that's only the standard-def version of ABC; the HD version is probably much further down the dial, usually in the 700s. Check your programming guide.
Most TV programming is still in standard definition: I'm still amazed by how many people think that an HDTV will display all their shows in high definition. Now, if you're only watching scripted (i.e., non-reality) prime-time shows on the major broadcast networks, then yes, there's a good chance that most of those shows are in HD (save a few holdouts, like "Scrubs" on NBC). But the vast majority of programming that's out there, ranging from "Queer Eye" and "Regis and Kelly" to "Pardon the Interruption" and "Sesame Street", is produced in standard definition, and your HDTV won't magically convert SD shows to HD. Check out TitanTV to see what's in HD in your area.
SD typically looks terrible on an HDTV: Standard-def shows can look remarkably bad on a 50-inch display. Imagine taking a grainy Polaroid picture and blowing it up to monster size. If you miss how CNN used to look on your old 27-inch direct-view set, keep in mind that you were watching it on a much smaller screen.
HDTV screens are wider than SD pictures: Because HDTV screens have a wide 16:9 aspect ratio, your new set will stretch the boxy 4:3 shape of a standard-definition show to fill the screen, which will make everything look short and squat. You have two choices: either live with the short-and-squat look on your SD channels, or dig into your HD set-top box settings and add sidebars to the SD channels. Yes, you'll have to deal with black bars on the left and right sides of the screen, but at least the picture won't look like a circus fun-house mirror.
An upconverting DVD player doesn't turn standard DVDs into HD: I'm a big fan of DVD players that upconvert standard-def DVDs to 1080i or even 1080p, but make no mistake; because the source DVD disc is standard definition, you're still watching an SD picture (albeit, one that's been extrapolated to HD proportions). If you want true HD images from your DVD player, you'll have to pony up $400 or more for a Blu-ray or HD DVD drive.
Still confused? Then check out the Audioholics story.
Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:27AM EDT
See Comments (100)
Disappointed by how fuzzy CNN looks on your new HDTV? Wondering why Jack Bauer looks so soft and plump on your new flat-screen? Maybe it's because you're not really watching HD on your high-def TV.
According to Audioholics almost half of the 24 million homes with HDTVs lack an HD cable or satellite feed, and about a quarter of those surveyed didn't even know they were still watching non-HD signals. Why such big numbers? Actually, it's not hard to understand; I can't tell you how many times I've watched salespeople at TV stores push HDTVs on hapless shoppers, going on and on about the razor-sharp picture and surround sound, but not bothering to tell them how to get HD signals into their living rooms. The Audioholics story ticks off six things you need toknow before you buy an HDTV, and it's a must-read if you're in the market for your first high-def set. Here's a brief summary of some of the pointers, along with some thoughts of my own:
Your new HDTV needs an HD feed: Just plugging your regular cable or satellite box into your new HD set won't get you a high-def picture. You'll need to contact your cable or satellite provider and ask for an HD set-top box (satellite subscribers may also have to upgrade their dishes), and you may want to sign up for an HD subscription plan, as well (which typically offer channels like Discovery HD Theater and HDNet). Still watching TV using an over-the-air antenna? A good, properly aligned rooftop antenna may still do a good job of pulling down HD signals, but unless your HDTV has a built-in HD tuner (many don't), you'll have to buy a separate high-def tuner box to go with your set.
Your HDTV/set-top box/cables must be configured properly: First, make sure you're using the right inputs when connecting your HD set-top box to your HDTV. You must use either the component-video inputs (a trio of RCA-type plugs, marked "Y," "Pb," and "Pr") the DVI input or the HDMI input. The composite and S-Video connectors on your TV can't receive HD signals, so if the cable guy starts hooking those inputs up, time to raise the red flag. Also, your cable or satellite HD box must be set to send an HD signal to your display; go to the set-top box menu and look for the display settings, and select either 720p or 1080i (depending on the native resolution of your HDTV). Finally, once you're ready to watch HD, make sure you're watching the right channel. If you're used to watching ABC on, say, cable channel 7, that's only the standard-def version of ABC; the HD version is probably much further down the dial, usually in the 700s. Check your programming guide.
Most TV programming is still in standard definition: I'm still amazed by how many people think that an HDTV will display all their shows in high definition. Now, if you're only watching scripted (i.e., non-reality) prime-time shows on the major broadcast networks, then yes, there's a good chance that most of those shows are in HD (save a few holdouts, like "Scrubs" on NBC). But the vast majority of programming that's out there, ranging from "Queer Eye" and "Regis and Kelly" to "Pardon the Interruption" and "Sesame Street", is produced in standard definition, and your HDTV won't magically convert SD shows to HD. Check out TitanTV to see what's in HD in your area.
SD typically looks terrible on an HDTV: Standard-def shows can look remarkably bad on a 50-inch display. Imagine taking a grainy Polaroid picture and blowing it up to monster size. If you miss how CNN used to look on your old 27-inch direct-view set, keep in mind that you were watching it on a much smaller screen.
HDTV screens are wider than SD pictures: Because HDTV screens have a wide 16:9 aspect ratio, your new set will stretch the boxy 4:3 shape of a standard-definition show to fill the screen, which will make everything look short and squat. You have two choices: either live with the short-and-squat look on your SD channels, or dig into your HD set-top box settings and add sidebars to the SD channels. Yes, you'll have to deal with black bars on the left and right sides of the screen, but at least the picture won't look like a circus fun-house mirror.
An upconverting DVD player doesn't turn standard DVDs into HD: I'm a big fan of DVD players that upconvert standard-def DVDs to 1080i or even 1080p, but make no mistake; because the source DVD disc is standard definition, you're still watching an SD picture (albeit, one that's been extrapolated to HD proportions). If you want true HD images from your DVD player, you'll have to pony up $400 or more for a Blu-ray or HD DVD drive.
Still confused? Then check out the Audioholics story.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Andrew Cuomo to court: Stop 'illegal' radio ratings
Andrew Cuomo to court: Stop 'illegal' radio ratings
By DAVID HINCKLEY
Saturday, October 11th 2008, 4:00 AM
Rosier/News
Andrew Cuomo
State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo Friday asked New York County Supreme Court to enjoin Arbitron, the radio ratings service, from proceeding with the new Portable People Meter (PPM) system, which Cuomo warns could drive black and Hispanic stations out of business.
The suit further escalates a tense battle between Arbitron, which says the radio business wants and needs the PPM system, and critics who say Arbitron has rolled it out before ensuring it can measure listenership in a fair manner.
RELATED: ARBITRON
Arbitron yesterday vowed to defend PPM, noting it has suits pending to prevent both Cuomo's office and the New Jersey attorney general from stopping PPM publication.
Arbitron released its first official PPM ratings for New York this week, and most stations did about as well as they did under Arbitron's old "diary" system, in which listeners wrote down what they listened to. With PPMs, participants wear an electronic device that records all radio to which they are exposed.
Several black and Hispanic stations fell below their diary numbers in the PPM ratings, and since ratings determine advertising revenue, they have warned that such a drop could be devastating and possibly force them out of business.
Cuomo's suit seeks "restitution to minority broadcasters who have lost revenue because of PPM."
It also asks the court to enjoin Arbitron from "engaging in deceptive and illegal practices" by claiming the PPM is a fair system.
Critics say they don't object to the concept of PPMs, which will provide radio stations with faster and more detailed listener data.
Their complaint is with the distribution of the meters, claiming Arbitron's placement does not accurately reflect radio listenership.
Also yesterday, Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn) joined black and Hispanic broadcasters on the steps of City Hall in a protest against using PPMs.
"Arbitron clearly doesn't understand our community," said Velazquez, "and their faulty data now jeopardizes the diversity of our airwaves."
By DAVID HINCKLEY
Saturday, October 11th 2008, 4:00 AM
Rosier/News
Andrew Cuomo
State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo Friday asked New York County Supreme Court to enjoin Arbitron, the radio ratings service, from proceeding with the new Portable People Meter (PPM) system, which Cuomo warns could drive black and Hispanic stations out of business.
The suit further escalates a tense battle between Arbitron, which says the radio business wants and needs the PPM system, and critics who say Arbitron has rolled it out before ensuring it can measure listenership in a fair manner.
RELATED: ARBITRON
Arbitron yesterday vowed to defend PPM, noting it has suits pending to prevent both Cuomo's office and the New Jersey attorney general from stopping PPM publication.
Arbitron released its first official PPM ratings for New York this week, and most stations did about as well as they did under Arbitron's old "diary" system, in which listeners wrote down what they listened to. With PPMs, participants wear an electronic device that records all radio to which they are exposed.
Several black and Hispanic stations fell below their diary numbers in the PPM ratings, and since ratings determine advertising revenue, they have warned that such a drop could be devastating and possibly force them out of business.
Cuomo's suit seeks "restitution to minority broadcasters who have lost revenue because of PPM."
It also asks the court to enjoin Arbitron from "engaging in deceptive and illegal practices" by claiming the PPM is a fair system.
Critics say they don't object to the concept of PPMs, which will provide radio stations with faster and more detailed listener data.
Their complaint is with the distribution of the meters, claiming Arbitron's placement does not accurately reflect radio listenership.
Also yesterday, Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn) joined black and Hispanic broadcasters on the steps of City Hall in a protest against using PPMs.
"Arbitron clearly doesn't understand our community," said Velazquez, "and their faulty data now jeopardizes the diversity of our airwaves."
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Bet on Israel bombing Iran
Bet on Israel bombing Iran
By Robert Baer
Monday, September 29th 2008, 8:44 AM
Are we going to have an October surprise, an attack on Iran by either the Bush administration or by Israel to stop the regime from becoming a nuclear power?
It could happen - and alter the dynamics of the presidential race in the blink of an eye - but only if Israel pulls the trigger. Don't expect the United States to drop bombs anytime soon. The reason: Iran has us over a barrel.
According to Britain's Guardian newspaper, Bush earlier this year nixed an Israeli plan to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. Reportedly, the President said no because we couldn't afford Iranian retaliation against our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan or Iran closing down Persian Gulf shipping. Nonetheless, cynical speculation is now swirling in some quarters that with the financial collapse working against McCain - and Bush's legacy coming into focus - the President might reconsider. Could that tail really wag the dog? ------------nydailynews.com--Opinions 10-7-08
RELATED:A WAKEUP CALL ON IRAN'S NUKES
What many Americans miss is that Iran is a threat to Israel's very existence, not an imagined danger used by politicians for political advantage. Every Israeli city is within range of Iranian/Hezbollah rockets. To make matters worse, since the July 2006 34-day war, Hezbollah may have as much as trebled the number of rockets it has targeted on Israel.
Meantime, Hezbollah has become the de facto state in Lebanon. And lest we forget, Israel lost that July 2006 war to Hezbollah, pulling its troops out of Lebanon without having obtained a single objective. In other words, Israel no longer has its deterrence credibility, the fear that it can decisively retaliate against its enemies
nydailynews.com Opinions 10-7-08
By Robert Baer
Monday, September 29th 2008, 8:44 AM
Are we going to have an October surprise, an attack on Iran by either the Bush administration or by Israel to stop the regime from becoming a nuclear power?
It could happen - and alter the dynamics of the presidential race in the blink of an eye - but only if Israel pulls the trigger. Don't expect the United States to drop bombs anytime soon. The reason: Iran has us over a barrel.
According to Britain's Guardian newspaper, Bush earlier this year nixed an Israeli plan to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. Reportedly, the President said no because we couldn't afford Iranian retaliation against our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan or Iran closing down Persian Gulf shipping. Nonetheless, cynical speculation is now swirling in some quarters that with the financial collapse working against McCain - and Bush's legacy coming into focus - the President might reconsider. Could that tail really wag the dog? ------------nydailynews.com--Opinions 10-7-08
RELATED:A WAKEUP CALL ON IRAN'S NUKES
What many Americans miss is that Iran is a threat to Israel's very existence, not an imagined danger used by politicians for political advantage. Every Israeli city is within range of Iranian/Hezbollah rockets. To make matters worse, since the July 2006 34-day war, Hezbollah may have as much as trebled the number of rockets it has targeted on Israel.
Meantime, Hezbollah has become the de facto state in Lebanon. And lest we forget, Israel lost that July 2006 war to Hezbollah, pulling its troops out of Lebanon without having obtained a single objective. In other words, Israel no longer has its deterrence credibility, the fear that it can decisively retaliate against its enemies
nydailynews.com Opinions 10-7-08
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Update now for coming DTV transition
by davidradiotv2000@yahoo.com
Now is the time to update for the coming DTV transition. I am happy to help install any components, as well as answer any questions you might have. Please just give me a call at (646)573-3633. If you are local, I am also available to come and install in your business or residence.The DTV transition refers to switch from analog to digital television. Digital technology will provide improved picture quality and sound quality like that experienced at the movies.Congress set the deadline of February 17, 2009 for the DTV transition. This means that on that date all U.S. television stations will stop broadcasting in analog format as they do now, and will transmit only in digital instead.
What Consumers who are Considering the Purchase of a TV Set Should KnowWhen buying television sets and other equipment such as DVD players, consumers should know whether or not the equipment includes a digital tuner.( TV equipment that includes a digital tuner is sometimes referred to as a "digital receiver." ) Digital tuners are needed to watch local broadcast stations that will be sent in digital format after February 17, 2009 must either purchase a TV set equipped with a digital tuner or purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that will convert those over-the-air digital signals into analog so that they can be displayed on an analog device. Analog -only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services
Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon ProgramBetween January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons,worth $ 40 each, to be used towards the purchase of digital -to-analog converter boxes. As described above these converter boxes are designed to make over-the-air digital television signals viewable on analog -only TVs, and thus are not intended analog-only TVs hooked up to cable or satellite service. The National Telecommunications and information Administration ( NTIA) is running the coupon program.For more information, visit the NTIA website at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/
Now is the time to update for the coming DTV transition. I am happy to help install any components, as well as answer any questions you might have. Please just give me a call at (646)573-3633. If you are local, I am also available to come and install in your business or residence.The DTV transition refers to switch from analog to digital television. Digital technology will provide improved picture quality and sound quality like that experienced at the movies.Congress set the deadline of February 17, 2009 for the DTV transition. This means that on that date all U.S. television stations will stop broadcasting in analog format as they do now, and will transmit only in digital instead.
What Consumers who are Considering the Purchase of a TV Set Should KnowWhen buying television sets and other equipment such as DVD players, consumers should know whether or not the equipment includes a digital tuner.( TV equipment that includes a digital tuner is sometimes referred to as a "digital receiver." ) Digital tuners are needed to watch local broadcast stations that will be sent in digital format after February 17, 2009 must either purchase a TV set equipped with a digital tuner or purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that will convert those over-the-air digital signals into analog so that they can be displayed on an analog device. Analog -only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services
Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon ProgramBetween January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons,worth $ 40 each, to be used towards the purchase of digital -to-analog converter boxes. As described above these converter boxes are designed to make over-the-air digital television signals viewable on analog -only TVs, and thus are not intended analog-only TVs hooked up to cable or satellite service. The National Telecommunications and information Administration ( NTIA) is running the coupon program.For more information, visit the NTIA website at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/
Friday, September 26, 2008
YOUR VOTE WILL COUNT THIS TIME
Your vote will count this time!!!
David -- Think of all the people you know -- your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors. What if every one of them voted on Election Day? That's a lot of votes. But odds are, many of them aren't registered -- or aren't sure if they are. Now there's an easy way to learn your status and get registered. Our new one-stop voter registration site, VoteForChange.com, lets you do it all: check your registration status, register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and find your early voting site or polling location. Take a minute today to check out VoteForChange.com, and encourage your friends and family to do the same:
Friday night's debate Obama presses on --"-Americans need to hear from the person who will be the next president. It is part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once." I don't want to infuse Capital Hill with presidential politics". -- Barack Obama http://voteforchange.com/
David -- Think of all the people you know -- your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors. What if every one of them voted on Election Day? That's a lot of votes. But odds are, many of them aren't registered -- or aren't sure if they are. Now there's an easy way to learn your status and get registered. Our new one-stop voter registration site, VoteForChange.com, lets you do it all: check your registration status, register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and find your early voting site or polling location. Take a minute today to check out VoteForChange.com, and encourage your friends and family to do the same:
Friday night's debate Obama presses on --"-Americans need to hear from the person who will be the next president. It is part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once." I don't want to infuse Capital Hill with presidential politics". -- Barack Obama http://voteforchange.com/
Friday, September 19, 2008
SEC bans short-selling
Fri Sep 19, 6:19 AM ET
WASHINGTON - The Securities and Exchange Commission took the dramatic step early Friday of temporarily banning the routine practice of betting against company stocks.
The move, announced on the agency's Web site, may well be unprecedented and a reflection of regulators' concern about the widening scope of the financial crisis as entreaties come from all quarters to stem a swarm of short-selling.
In the announcement, the commission said it was acting in concert with the U.K. Financial Services Authority in taking emergency action to "prohibit short selling in financial companies" to protect the integrity of the securities market and boost investor confidence.
"The commission is committed to using every weapon in its arsenal to combat market manipulation that threatens investors and capital markets," SEC chairman Christopher Cox said in a statement. "The emergency order temporarily banning short-selling of financial stocks will restore equilibrium to markets."
The move, he said, would not be necessary in a well-functioning market and is only a temporary step that is part of the actions being taken by the Federal Reserve, the Treasury and Congress.
A recent wave of the market maneuvers — where traders seek to profit by selling unowned shares of companies in the anticipation their prices will drop — has been blamed in part for the demise of venerable investment firm Lehman Brothers and other big companies.
Cox, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke held a closed-door meeting Thursday night with members of Congress.
The SEC said its action calls a time-out to aggressive short-selling in financial stocks and said it would consider measures to address short-selling in other publicly traded companies.
Short-selling, in a normal market, contributes to efficiency while adding liquidity to the markets. But now, the SEC said, it appears that "unbridled" short-selling was contributing to the sudden price declines in the securities of financial institutions.
On Wednesday, New York Sens. Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton, both Democrats, appealed to the SEC for such a temporary ban, saying the watchdog agency "has the power to take a temporary but important step to help restore a measure of stability to our financial markets."
The California Public Employees' Retirement System, the nation's largest pension fund, said that starting Thursday it is no longer lending out shares of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Morgan Stanley, joining a growing number of public pension funds that are attempting to curb short-selling of two investment banks' stocks.
Information for all seniors -----Posted by-http://davidsradiotv2000.blogspot.com
From Yahoo.com
WASHINGTON - The Securities and Exchange Commission took the dramatic step early Friday of temporarily banning the routine practice of betting against company stocks.
The move, announced on the agency's Web site, may well be unprecedented and a reflection of regulators' concern about the widening scope of the financial crisis as entreaties come from all quarters to stem a swarm of short-selling.
In the announcement, the commission said it was acting in concert with the U.K. Financial Services Authority in taking emergency action to "prohibit short selling in financial companies" to protect the integrity of the securities market and boost investor confidence.
"The commission is committed to using every weapon in its arsenal to combat market manipulation that threatens investors and capital markets," SEC chairman Christopher Cox said in a statement. "The emergency order temporarily banning short-selling of financial stocks will restore equilibrium to markets."
The move, he said, would not be necessary in a well-functioning market and is only a temporary step that is part of the actions being taken by the Federal Reserve, the Treasury and Congress.
A recent wave of the market maneuvers — where traders seek to profit by selling unowned shares of companies in the anticipation their prices will drop — has been blamed in part for the demise of venerable investment firm Lehman Brothers and other big companies.
Cox, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke held a closed-door meeting Thursday night with members of Congress.
The SEC said its action calls a time-out to aggressive short-selling in financial stocks and said it would consider measures to address short-selling in other publicly traded companies.
Short-selling, in a normal market, contributes to efficiency while adding liquidity to the markets. But now, the SEC said, it appears that "unbridled" short-selling was contributing to the sudden price declines in the securities of financial institutions.
On Wednesday, New York Sens. Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton, both Democrats, appealed to the SEC for such a temporary ban, saying the watchdog agency "has the power to take a temporary but important step to help restore a measure of stability to our financial markets."
The California Public Employees' Retirement System, the nation's largest pension fund, said that starting Thursday it is no longer lending out shares of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Morgan Stanley, joining a growing number of public pension funds that are attempting to curb short-selling of two investment banks' stocks.
Information for all seniors -----Posted by-http://davidsradiotv2000.blogspot.com
From Yahoo.com
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Digital TV Transition Get ready for 2009
DIGITAL TV TRANSITION: Get ready for 2009
DTV Converter Box alternatives You don’t have to wait.
DTV Coupons How to get your $40-off government coupon.
Digital TV FAQ Learn more about the change to digital TV.
THE SWITCH TO DIGITAL TELEVISION
Converter boxes
Should you get a digital TV adapter for your old TV? Our handy primer can help you decide.
By Steven Sande
What is a digital TV converter box?
A digital TV converter box hooks up to a conventional analog TV set, allowing it to receive digital broadcasts. This device, about the size of a cable box or smaller, is sometimes called a “digital-to-analog converter box,” “set-top converter box” or “digital TV adapter.”
Do I need a converter box?
If you watch TV over the air, using an antenna or “rabbit ears,” you will need to get either a converter box or a digital TV by February 17, 2009.
• I have cable TV service•.
How much do converter boxes cost?
The price is expected to be somewhere around $60. But because the federal government will provide coupons worth $40 off the cost of a converter box, the consumer’s share should come out to about $20.
• Read more: DTV converter box prices
How do I get a converter box coupon?
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will make coupons available to U.S. households that request them beginning January 1, 2008. Funding for the coupon program may not be sufficient to provide a rebate to every American who wants one, according to some analysts. So you might want to put in your request as soon as the program launches.
• Read more: Visit the Ntia Website
at http://www.Ntia.doc.gov/
Monday, August 25, 2008
Support our troops, vote Obama?
Remember those “We support our troops and the president” bumper stickers from the 2004 presidential election? This election year, they’ll have to read, “We support our troops and Obama.”That’s because a study by The Center for Responsive Politics discovered that, “Democrat Barack Obama has received nearly six times as much money from troops deployed overseas at the time of their contributions than has Republican John McCain.”The non-partisan, non-profit research group headquartered in Washington, DC. also reported on their website that, “Despite McCain's status as a decorated veteran and a historically Republican bent among the military, members of the armed services overall -- whether stationed overseas or at home -- are also favoring Obama with their campaign contributions in 2008…” It’s gonna be really interesting to hear how McCain’s people, who are touting their candidate’s foreign policy and military expertise, spin this one. When the true experts on our nation’s defense, and the people who are actually protecting America, support Obama by such a wide margin, it’s pretty hard to argue that a vote for McCain is supporting our troops.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
FCC to warn TV viewers: 'This is only a test'
FCC to warn TV viewers: 'This is only a test'
To increase awareness, analog sets may go blank
By Wailin Wong Chicago Tribune reporter
August 19, 2008
If you watch an older TV hooked up to rabbit-ear antennas and your screen goes snowy for a moment this November, replaced by a message telling you to call a toll-free number, do not be alarmed. It's not Martians. It's just the government.Representatives of the Federal Communications Commission are scheduled to visit Chicago on Nov. 20 as part of a nationwide tour to regions that are considered at risk for missing the switch from analog to digital TV signals. While regulators haven't detailed their itinerary for Chicago, one of the options to test local households' readiness is what's known as a "soft test," or temporarily turning off analog signals.In a soft test, the signal is shut down for 30 to 60 seconds. Viewers who are watching an older TV with rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna will get a snowy screen and a message telling them to call a toll-free number or visit DTVanswers.com, a Web site run by the National Association of Broadcasters."We've found that's an effective way to get the message out," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said in a Monday press conference, during which he announced the agency's nationwide tour.
To increase awareness, analog sets may go blank
By Wailin Wong Chicago Tribune reporter
August 19, 2008
If you watch an older TV hooked up to rabbit-ear antennas and your screen goes snowy for a moment this November, replaced by a message telling you to call a toll-free number, do not be alarmed. It's not Martians. It's just the government.Representatives of the Federal Communications Commission are scheduled to visit Chicago on Nov. 20 as part of a nationwide tour to regions that are considered at risk for missing the switch from analog to digital TV signals. While regulators haven't detailed their itinerary for Chicago, one of the options to test local households' readiness is what's known as a "soft test," or temporarily turning off analog signals.In a soft test, the signal is shut down for 30 to 60 seconds. Viewers who are watching an older TV with rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna will get a snowy screen and a message telling them to call a toll-free number or visit DTVanswers.com, a Web site run by the National Association of Broadcasters."We've found that's an effective way to get the message out," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said in a Monday press conference, during which he announced the agency's nationwide tour.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Soul singer Isaac Hayes, 65, is dead
Soul singer Isaac Hayes, 65, is dead
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Updated Sunday, August 10th 2008, 6:53 PM
Pereira/WireImage
Isaac Hayes performs during the 30th Celebrate Brooklyn Summer Season on June 12, 2008 at the bandshell in Prospect Park.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Isaac Hayes, the pioneering singer, songwriter and musician whose relentless "Theme From Shaft" won Academy and Grammy awards, died Sunday, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office said. He was 65.
A family member found Hayes unresponsive near a treadmill and he was pronounced dead about an hour later at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, according to the sheriff's office. The cause of death was not immediately known.
In the early 1970s, Hayes laid the groundwork for disco, for what became known as urban-contemporary music and for romantic crooners like Barry White. And he was rapping before there was rap.
His career hit another high in 1997 when he became the voice of Chef, the sensible school cook and devoted ladies man on the animated TV show "South Park."
The album "Hot Buttered Soul" made Hayes a star in 1969. His shaven head, gold chains and sunglasses gave him a compelling visual image.
"Hot Buttered Soul" was groundbreaking in several ways: He sang in a "cool" style unlike the usual histrionics of big-time soul singers. He prefaced the song with "raps," and the numbers ran longer than three minutes with lush arrangements.
"Jocks would play it at night," Hayes recalled in a 1999 Associated Press interview. "They could go to the bathroom, they could get a sandwich, or whatever."
Next came "Theme From Shaft," a No. 1 hit in 1971 from the film "Shaft" starring Richard Roundtree.
"That was like the shot heard round the world," Hayes said in the 1999 interview.
At the Oscar ceremony in 1972, Hayes performed the song wearing an eye-popping amount of gold and received a standing ovation. TV Guide later chose it as No. 18 in its list of television's 25 most memorable moments. He won an Academy Award for the song and was nominated for another one for the score. The song and score also won him two Grammys.
"The rappers have gone in and created a lot of hit music based upon my influence," he said. "And they'll tell you if you ask."
Hayes was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
"I knew nothing about the business, or trends and things like that," he said. "I think it was a matter of timing. I didn't know what was unfolding."
A self-taught musician, he was hired in 1964 by Stax Records of Memphis as a backup pianist, working as a session musician for Otis Redding and others. He also played saxophone.
He began writing songs, establishing a songwriting partnership with David Porter, and in the 1960s they wrote such hits for Sam and Dave as "Hold On, I'm Coming" and "Soul Man." See http://harlemblogosphere.blogspot.com
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Updated Sunday, August 10th 2008, 6:53 PM
Pereira/WireImage
Isaac Hayes performs during the 30th Celebrate Brooklyn Summer Season on June 12, 2008 at the bandshell in Prospect Park.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Isaac Hayes, the pioneering singer, songwriter and musician whose relentless "Theme From Shaft" won Academy and Grammy awards, died Sunday, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office said. He was 65.
A family member found Hayes unresponsive near a treadmill and he was pronounced dead about an hour later at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, according to the sheriff's office. The cause of death was not immediately known.
In the early 1970s, Hayes laid the groundwork for disco, for what became known as urban-contemporary music and for romantic crooners like Barry White. And he was rapping before there was rap.
His career hit another high in 1997 when he became the voice of Chef, the sensible school cook and devoted ladies man on the animated TV show "South Park."
The album "Hot Buttered Soul" made Hayes a star in 1969. His shaven head, gold chains and sunglasses gave him a compelling visual image.
"Hot Buttered Soul" was groundbreaking in several ways: He sang in a "cool" style unlike the usual histrionics of big-time soul singers. He prefaced the song with "raps," and the numbers ran longer than three minutes with lush arrangements.
"Jocks would play it at night," Hayes recalled in a 1999 Associated Press interview. "They could go to the bathroom, they could get a sandwich, or whatever."
Next came "Theme From Shaft," a No. 1 hit in 1971 from the film "Shaft" starring Richard Roundtree.
"That was like the shot heard round the world," Hayes said in the 1999 interview.
At the Oscar ceremony in 1972, Hayes performed the song wearing an eye-popping amount of gold and received a standing ovation. TV Guide later chose it as No. 18 in its list of television's 25 most memorable moments. He won an Academy Award for the song and was nominated for another one for the score. The song and score also won him two Grammys.
"The rappers have gone in and created a lot of hit music based upon my influence," he said. "And they'll tell you if you ask."
Hayes was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
"I knew nothing about the business, or trends and things like that," he said. "I think it was a matter of timing. I didn't know what was unfolding."
A self-taught musician, he was hired in 1964 by Stax Records of Memphis as a backup pianist, working as a session musician for Otis Redding and others. He also played saxophone.
He began writing songs, establishing a songwriting partnership with David Porter, and in the 1960s they wrote such hits for Sam and Dave as "Hold On, I'm Coming" and "Soul Man." See http://harlemblogosphere.blogspot.com
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
NY appeals court green-lights remote storage DVR
NY appeals court green-lights remote storage DVR
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, August 4th 2008, 3:12 PM
In a decision sure to affect millions of cable television subscribers, a federal appeals court Monday gave a green light to Cablevision Systems Corp.'s rollout of a remote-storage digital video recorder system.
In overturning a lower court ruling that had blocked the service, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said the judge wrongly concluded that Cablevision, rather than its customers, would be making copies of programs, thereby violating copyright laws.
Tom Rutledge Cablevision's chief operating officer, called the appeals court decision "a tremendous victory for consumers." He said it would allow the company to make DVRs available to more people, faster and less expensively than would otherwise be possible.
Cablevision's next-generation technology would let any cable subscriber with a digital cable box store TV shows on computer servers rather than on a hard drive in their home.
The new Cablevision system was challenged by a group of Hollywood studios that claimed that the remote-storage system would have amounted to an unauthorized broadcast of their programs.
Cablevision, in arguing that control of the recording and playback was in the hands of the consumer, had relied on a landmark 1984 Supreme Court case which found Sony Corp. did not break copyright laws by letting viewers use videotape recorders to record shows for personal use.
A lawyer for the Hollywood studios did not immediately return a telephone message for comment Monday.
In its ruling, the appeals court said it did not see much difference between the user of a VCR and the user of a DVR.
See--http://harlemblogosphere.blogspot.com
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, August 4th 2008, 3:12 PM
In a decision sure to affect millions of cable television subscribers, a federal appeals court Monday gave a green light to Cablevision Systems Corp.'s rollout of a remote-storage digital video recorder system.
In overturning a lower court ruling that had blocked the service, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said the judge wrongly concluded that Cablevision, rather than its customers, would be making copies of programs, thereby violating copyright laws.
Tom Rutledge Cablevision's chief operating officer, called the appeals court decision "a tremendous victory for consumers." He said it would allow the company to make DVRs available to more people, faster and less expensively than would otherwise be possible.
Cablevision's next-generation technology would let any cable subscriber with a digital cable box store TV shows on computer servers rather than on a hard drive in their home.
The new Cablevision system was challenged by a group of Hollywood studios that claimed that the remote-storage system would have amounted to an unauthorized broadcast of their programs.
Cablevision, in arguing that control of the recording and playback was in the hands of the consumer, had relied on a landmark 1984 Supreme Court case which found Sony Corp. did not break copyright laws by letting viewers use videotape recorders to record shows for personal use.
A lawyer for the Hollywood studios did not immediately return a telephone message for comment Monday.
In its ruling, the appeals court said it did not see much difference between the user of a VCR and the user of a DVR.
See--http://harlemblogosphere.blogspot.com
Sunday, August 03, 2008
US Border Agency Says It Can Seize Laptops
US Border Agency Says It Can Seize Laptops
Agam Shah, IDG News Service Fri Aug 1, 7:50 PM ET
Travelers beware: U.S. agents now have the authority to seize and retain laptops indefinitely, according to a new policy detailed in documents issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
As part of border search policy, government agents are now authorized to seize electronic devices and inspect documents in them, the document states. The electronic devices might include laptops, cell phones, portable music players or storage devices such as portable hard drives.
Agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection will also be allowed to translate and share documents with other government agencies.
The DHS document, issued July 16, appears to state publicly a policy that has already existed. Laptops and electronic devices have been subject to search in the past, and travelers have reported not getting their devices back. The policy has drawn strong criticism from lawmakers and nonprofit groups, who charged that the searches were invasive and a violation of an individual's privacy rights. Computers contain a vast amount of private information about family, finances and health, which could be easily copied and stored in government databases, the Electronic Frontier Foundation has complained.
The policy document states that being able to examine documents and electronic devices is crucial for "detecting information concerning terrorism, narcotics smuggling... contraband including child pornography, and... other import or export control laws."
The new DHS policies allow customs agents to analyze the contents of laptops without any suspicion of wrongdoing, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold said in a statement.
"The policies that have been disclosed are truly alarming," Feingold wrote.
The policy could blur the distinction between "search" and "seizure," which could also allow DHS officials to steal personal documents from laptops it has retained, Feingold wrote.
Agam Shah, IDG News Service Fri Aug 1, 7:50 PM ET
Travelers beware: U.S. agents now have the authority to seize and retain laptops indefinitely, according to a new policy detailed in documents issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
As part of border search policy, government agents are now authorized to seize electronic devices and inspect documents in them, the document states. The electronic devices might include laptops, cell phones, portable music players or storage devices such as portable hard drives.
Agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection will also be allowed to translate and share documents with other government agencies.
The DHS document, issued July 16, appears to state publicly a policy that has already existed. Laptops and electronic devices have been subject to search in the past, and travelers have reported not getting their devices back. The policy has drawn strong criticism from lawmakers and nonprofit groups, who charged that the searches were invasive and a violation of an individual's privacy rights. Computers contain a vast amount of private information about family, finances and health, which could be easily copied and stored in government databases, the Electronic Frontier Foundation has complained.
The policy document states that being able to examine documents and electronic devices is crucial for "detecting information concerning terrorism, narcotics smuggling... contraband including child pornography, and... other import or export control laws."
The new DHS policies allow customs agents to analyze the contents of laptops without any suspicion of wrongdoing, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold said in a statement.
"The policies that have been disclosed are truly alarming," Feingold wrote.
The policy could blur the distinction between "search" and "seizure," which could also allow DHS officials to steal personal documents from laptops it has retained, Feingold wrote.
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