Bill Bennett Takes a Stab at Comparing Phone Hacking Scandal & WikiLeaks
Former Secretary of Education and CNN contributor William Bennett joins the ranks of those seeking to deflect attention away from the News Corp phone hacking scandal by comparing the scandal to WikiLeaks. He also joins a cadre of people, who are using the scandal to whip up hysteria about the “unethical” conduct of the press in America when it comes to coverage of national security matters.
Aussie Prosecutors’ Vendetta Targets Ex-Guantanamo Detainee’s Book Proceeds
Australian news sources have announced that the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) have initiated legal actions to seize the royalties former Guantanamo detainee David Hicks has earned from the publication of his autobiography, Guantanamo: My Journey. The book was published last year by Random House Australia, and has reportedly sold upwards of 30,000 copies. No U.S. publisher has bought rights to the book, and it remains unavailable through U.S. booksellers.
Notes on Civil Liberties for July 20
Here’s today’s blog for the latest news and updates on civil liberties and digital freedom issues. If you have any news tips and would like to contact me, email kevin.gosztola@shadowproof.wpengine.com. US State Embassy cables show Thailand is a refuge for fugitives. The New York Times reports on a March 2009
Bill Bennett Takes a Stab at Comparing Phone Hacking Scandal & WikiLeaks
Former Secretary of Education and CNN contributor William Bennett joins the ranks of those seeking to deflect attention away from the News Corp phone hacking scandal by comparing the scandal to WikiLeaks. He also joins a cadre of people, who are using the scandal to whip up hysteria about the
In Support of the Pelican Bay Hunger Strikers
Those organizing in support of the Pelican Bay hunger strikers, who are engaging in resistance to call attention to solitary confinement and other prison conditions, have been collecting statements of solidarity from academics, artists, celebrities, political leaders and well-known activists. The activist group World Can’t Wait has posted what they’ve
The Government Clampdown on Anonymous for ‘Operation Avenge Assange’
(photo: exiledsurfer ) Widely reported yesterday was the arrest of sixteen individuals alleged to be members of the hacktivist group Anonymous, known engaging in cyber operations for political and social reasons. The FBI raided homes seizing computers and computer-related accessories. The Justice Department claimed fourteen of the individuals had been
The Government Clampdown on Anonymous for ‘Operation Avenge Assange’
Widely reported yesterday was the arrest of sixteen individuals alleged to be members of the hacktivist group Anonymous, known engaging in cyber operations for political and social reasons. The Justice Department claimed fourteen of the individuals had been part of the distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks on PayPal back in December 2010, when PayPal suspended WikiLeaks’ accounts making it impossible for the organization to receive donations via PayPal.
Notes on Civil Liberties for July 19
Here’s today’s blog for the latest news and updates on civil liberties and digital freedom issues. If you have any news tips and would like to contact me, email dissenter@shadowproof.wpengine.com. Rep. Peter King (R-NY) has announced a third anti-Muslim hearing. This hearing will look at how the Somali extremist group
“Bugsplat” in Waziristan
“The first large array of photographs depicting the devastating impact of US unmanned aircraft (‘drone’) attacks on innocent civilians in Pakistan” goes on display in London today. Its photographic evidence belies claims by the U.S. of no collateral killing of civilians by the drone attacks. The exhibit opens just as former CIA counsel John Rizzo is being charged for murder in Pakistan for his role in approving the attacks, and as Human Rights Watch has begun a campaign to seek the prosecution of Bush administration officials for torture. Is the Obama administration listening? Not only are they against investigations or prosecutions of past officials, they have engaged in war crimes of their own, most particularly around the controversial drone program of targeted killings.
Senate Hearing on US Policy in Yemen: No Discussion of Drones or Anwar al-Awlaki
The United States has enjoyed a close military-to-military relationship with President Ali Abdullah Saleh, providing Saleh with military equipment to help the US prosecute the “war on terrorism” in Yemen. In the past months, however, the US has shifted its position toward Yemen because of the instability created by a