The totalitarian state apparatus of Orwell's bleak vision was patterned after the world's Communist parties. But many of today's 21st-century Democrat and Republican politicians see no problem with the kind of permanent police dragnet envisioned in the novel.

By Sibel Edmonds (a.k.a. whistleblower)

Dear Mr. Goss, the timing of your recent op-ed in the New York Times interestingly coincides with the upcoming congressional hearing by the House Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats & International Relations on National Security Whistleblowers. Your comments are predictably consistent with the pattern of “preemptive strikes” you and the administration have been keen on maintaining. I do not blame you for your opposition to legislation to protect courageous whistleblowers, which will enable the United States Congress to reclaim some of its authority and oversight that it has given up for the past five years. No sir, you have all the right and reason to be nervous. However, I must take issue with your attempt to mislead the American public - another habit of your heart - by presenting them with false information and misleading statements.

<!--StartFragment --> Former Congressman Bob Barr today expressed deep disappointment in the Patriot Act deal reached by the Senate yesterday. Barr noted that the central problem with the existing law - the lack of any required link between records sought and a suspected terrorist, or citizen connected to a terrorist, before the government is able to invade an American’s private records - was not addressed. Making such a modest change to the Patriot Act would not in any way impair the government's ability to identify and prosecute terrorists or those who aid or abet them, but it would help protect the privacy of ordinary Americans.

<!--StartFragment --> Last week the 9th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals struck a grievous blow against the 4th Amendment and government secrecy. After a secret meeting to review secret evidence, a three-judge panel led by Clinton appointee Robert Paez upheld, without trial, a secret regulation that compels commercial airlines to demand photo ID from anyone attempting to fly within the United States.

<!--StartFragment --> by James Plummer

<!--StartFragment --><!--StartFragment --> Your phone records for sale

<!--StartFragment --> George W. Bush's conservative flank continues to show signs of crumbling.

A Libertarian-leaning coalition, comprised of many conservative Republican groups, is now joining the chorus of Americans calling for a full Congressional investigation into George W. Bush's warrantless government eavesdropping program

A new bill, sponsored by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), gives the Secret Service unbridled authority to suppress political dissent—one of the most basic and essential elements of democracy.

Check out the website for the Center for Financial Privacy & Human Rights, a part of the Liberty & Privacy Network, affiliated with Liberty Coalition.

www.financialprivacy.org

The federal government has proposed a new incursion into education by offering scholarships to college students if they complete a course of study in high school approved by the U.S. Department of Education.