Bad Deeds for 2-14-2008

US Customs Agents Can Copy Data From Your Laptop Computer and Other Devices – Customs agents have the prerogative to examine and even copy data from traveling citizens’ laptops they search, CNN’s American Morning reports. “A new alert for travelers: be careful what you store on your laptop or your BlackBerry when entering the United States,” warns CNN’s John Roberts. “Customs agents can examine your computer and even keep your private information.” CNN reporter Jeanne Meserve adds ominously, “Your banking records, your music choices, your emails, your business contacts — all can be examined, copied and stored by the government when you enter the country, if they’re in an electronic device.”

Ballots From 94,000 Independent Voters in Los Angeles Were Not Counted – As many as 94,000 independent voters in Los Angeles did not — and most likely will not — have their ballots counted in last week’s Democratic presidential primary because of an unnecessarily complex system, inadequately trained poll workers and little effort by elections officials to notify voters of the proper procedures.

Blue Cross of California Has Been Asking Physicians to Look for Conditions to Cancel Patients’ Insurance Coverage – Blue Cross of California has been asking physicians in a letter to look for medical conditions that could be used to cancel patients’ insurance coverage. After The Los Angeles Times disclosed this practice, blistering rebukes came from physicians, patients, privacy experts and officials including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sen. Hillary Clinton. The letter had been sharply criticized Monday by the California Medical Assn., and Tuesday night its president, Richard Frankenstein, said: “This letter was part of Blue Cross’ pattern of unfairly canceling policies when people need coverage most. The good news is that Tuesday, Blue Cross of California abruptly halted this practice. (Now tell me again why we want private insurance companies to run the health care system? – JLV)

Only 18 Lawmakers Shunned Pet Earmark Projects – Only a dozen House members and half as many senators declined to play in Congress’ pork barrel playground last year by refusing to ask for home state projects. Their more than 500 colleagues easily filled the gap, obtaining more than $18 billion worth of these so-called earmarks. A familiar club of old-school lawmakers on the pork-dispensing appropriations committees send home the lion’s share of the loot, with the most adroit earmarkers obtaining well more than $100 per resident in projects and grants for their states. The champion is Republican Ted Stevens, who has represented Alaska in the Senate for 40 years and is a former Appropriations Committee chairman who obtained the lion’s share of the $345 million in earmarks his state is getting this year. Alaska’s earmarks in 2008 amount to $506 for every resident of the state. A close second is current Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., whose efforts for his state are legendary. Byrd got $330 million this year for West Virginia, which ranks third in terms of pork dollar per resident at $198.

Feds admit to jailing U.S. citizens as illegal immigrants, but call incidents rare – A top Immigration and Customs Enforcement official acknowledged Wednesday that his agency has mistakenly detained U.S. citizens as illegal immigrants, but he denied that his agency has widespread problems with deporting the wrong people. The testimony before the House Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law came after immigration advocates told McClatchy that they’d seen a small but growing number of cases of U.S. citizens who’ve been mistakenly detained and sometimes deported by ICE. They accuse agents of ignoring valid assertions of citizenship in the rush to deport more illegal immigrants. Unlike suspects charged in criminal courts, detainees accused of immigration violations don’t have a right to an attorney, and three-quarters of them represent themselves. Read about specific cases at the link.

John McCain Votes Against Outlawing Waterboarding and Other Harsh Interrogation Methods on Terror Suspects – The prohibition was contained in a bill authorizing intelligence activities for the current year, which the Senate approved on a 51-45 vote. It would restrict the CIA to the 19 interrogation techniques outlined in the Army field manual. That manual prohibits waterboarding, a method that makes an interrogation subject feel he is drowning. The House had approved the measure in December.

 

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama Skipped Senate Vote on Spy Law Tuesday; McCain Voted For It – Hillary Clinton skipped the Senate vote on the law Tuesday allowing President Bush’s demands for more spying power and amnesty for potentially law-breaking telecommunications companies. She had been campaigning in Washington that day. Although Barack Obama voted to sustain a filibuster on the FISA update, Obama left Washington for a campaign stop in Wisconisn without voting on the final bill. John McCain voted for the increased spying and telecom immunity.

In Britain, Police Are Told They Can Use Taser Guns on Children – Police have been given the go-ahead to use Taser stun guns against children. The relaxing of restrictions on the use of the weapons comes despite warnings that they could trigger a heart attack in youngsters. Home Office Police Minister Tony McNulty said medical assessments had confirmed the risk of death or serious injury from Tasers was “low”. But he failed to mention Government advisers had also warned of a potential risk to children. The Defence Scientific Advisory Council medical committee told the Home Office that not enough was known about the health risks of using the weapons against children. (Will we allow this here?)

Regards,

Jim