Most recently, the Pentagon announced last week that it is shutting down its TALON database, which held secret files on local antiwar activists.

First, signatories agree to conduct "THE most transparent
Administration in American history--a lofty, laudable, far-reaching
goal. This oath signals that whether it's earmarks, directives, or
ongoing management of taxpayer expenditures, the goal of transparency
will be evident throughout all policy making aspects of your
Administration."

Thanks to the fact that a
majority of members of Congress apparently cared more for starting
their August recess on time than for protecting the Fourth
Amendment-based privacy rights of the citizens they represent, this
administration now is able to intercept any telephone or e-mail

The DEA is blocking medical marijuana research -- while citing a lack
of research to justify its continuing campaigns against medical
marijuana users and state medical marijuana laws.

Since 2000, the Drug Enforcement Administration has embarked on a
muscular campaign against prescription painkiller abuse. It has
utilized undercover investigations, SWAT raids, asset forfeiture, and
high profile trials against "kingpin" doctors. These tactics should be
familiar to anyone who has studied the drug war, but the results are a

Jesse Carl Trentadue is no
liberal crusader, nor is he an antigovernment conspiracy theorist. He
grew up poor in an Appalachian coal camp, called Number 7, halfway
between Cucumber, West Virginia, and Horsepen, Virginia.

1. National Do Not Call Registry

2. Prescreened offers of credit and insurance

3. DMA opt outs

4. Financial institution opt outs

5. CAN SPAM

6. Credit freeze

7. FERPA

8. Data broker opt outs

9. Internet portal opt outs

The United States Senate yesterday joined the House in passing bipartisan legislation
that will fix several of the most glaring problems with the U.S.
Freedom of Information Act that were identified in six government-wide

Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14) today became an original cosponsor of
legislation that will provide crucial checks against the National
Security Letter (NSL) authority expanded by the PATRIOT Act. The
bipartisan National Security Letters Reform Act, sponsored by Rep.
Jerry Nadler (NY-08) and cosponsored by Reps. Jeff Flake (AZ-06),

Barr said the changes to FISA go far beyond what was even remotely
necessary to listen in to and surveil those suspected of terrorist
ties. The newly amended law now permits the Administration to listen in
to virtually any international telephone call or internet communication
anyone makes, including those as to which the government has no