Bad Deeds for 7-30-2007

New US Database on Air Travelers Will Record Private Information Such as Political Opinions – In addition to data such as name, address, flight itineraries, and credit card information, the United States will now database more intimate details about passengers as provided by airlines, such as race, political opinions, religious beliefs, and sexual orientation.

Bush Calls for Easier Wiretap Rules – US President George W. Bush on Saturday called for Congress to revise a US security law in order to ease restrictions on the government’s secret communications surveillance of terror suspects.

Voting Machines Lose Test to Hackers – State-sanctioned teams of computer hackers were able to break through the security of virtually every model of California’s voting machines and change results or take control of some of the systems’ electronic functions, according to a University of California study released Friday.

General Motors Hires Rush Limbaugh to Tout How They Are Helping the Environment – How ironic/moronic! In the radio commercial, Limbaugh brags about his Suburban and his Escalade SUVs, then goes on to say how fuel-efficient the General Motors vehicles are. Do these vehicles run on Oxycontin and Viagra? If so, they have the right spokesman.

Gonzales Has Long History of Not Telling the Truth – The man who is supposed to be the nation’s op law-enforcement official has been devious back to when Bush was governor of Texas and Gonzales helped conceal Bush’s drunk-driving conviction.

Iraqi Working for British Intelligence Tortured by CIA – An Iraqi who was a key source of intelligence for MI5 has given the first ever full insider’s account of being seized by the CIA and bundled on to an illegal ‘torture flight’ under the programme known as extraordinary rendition.

Cameraman Held in Guantanamo for Five Years – 38-year-old cameraman for al Jazeera has been held as an “enemy combatant” in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for the last five years. Sami al Hajj is a national hero in Sudan has been praised by Sudan’s president, demonstrations have been held in his name, and a bakery in Khartoum has printed his picture on its packaging.

CEO Pay Out of Control – In 1970, the average CEO made 28 times what the average worker made. In 2005, the average CEO made 465 times what the average worker made.

Rove’s Political Briefing Targeting Democrats Was Presented to Peace Corps Appointees – The mission of the Peace Corps is supposed to be sending volunteers into Third World nations to help with development, not helping Republicans maintain control of our government.

Scaredy-Cat Republicans Want Conservative Bloggers to Pick Questions for YouTube Debate – I’ve got a better idea. Let Republican candidates field all questions, from all sides, with no pre-screening to stifle uncomfortable questions. You guys aren’t afraid of a little democracy, are ya?

Efforts to Silence Dissent – Jeff Zurawski, 39, of Downers Grove and Sarah M. Hartfield, 45, of Naperville were initially charged with disorderly conduct for displaying a banner that read “Impeach Bush and Cheney – LIARS” on May 6 on the Great Western Trail above Interstate 355. But more charges were brought against the two war protesters last week in DuPage County Circuit Court in Wheaton: reckless conduct and unauthorized display of a sign in viewing of a highway.

Regards,

Jim