Doug Murray: Big Brother

Mon, 09 Dec 2002 04:17:51 GMT

Scientia est potentia

"Knowledge is power," says the latin on the seal of the Information Awareness Office. Yesterday, the daily quotes from Freedom's Nest contained this:

Knowledge is power, but only wisdom is liberty.- Will Durant

Fri, 06 Dec 2002 03:43:52 GMT

Monster.gov II

It looks like Mark Gibbs at Network World, an IT weekly, agrees with my term for TIA. The good news part of his article, The Total Information Monster, says the system probably can't be built, but the bad news part describes what happens if it can:

The key issues are simple. First, can such a system be built? I would suggest that it can't. Sure, a data management framework can be put together, but think of the scale of this project: The problems of reliability and data hygiene are insurmountable.

Secondly, the potential for abuse is enormous. If they succeed in building it, what would be considered an abuse of the database early in its life would, in time, become an acceptable use.

Initially, the database would be used for what it was intended - to identify terrorists. Then the CIA and FBI would get access for other reasons, such as fighting organized crime. Then the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Immigration and Naturalization Service will wheedle in for "sound reasons." And before we know it the Forestry Commission and Bureau of Land Management will be feeding at the trough.

Wed, 04 Dec 2002 02:52:44 GMT

Totally Intrusive Activity

Heading from Samizdata, image courtesy of Aubrey Turner.

Mon, 02 Dec 2002 18:13:11 GMT

We're here to help you.

An encouraging look at Total Information Awareness from the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

Wed, 27 Nov 2002 23:22:22 GMT

Monster.gov

These two articles appeared on Computerworld’s website today:

INS database problems thwart FBI counterterrorism work

Database snafu allowed 105 on terror watch list to get visas

Then I found a report the GAO released last week containing this:

Although GAO's current analyses of audit and evaluation reports for the 24 major departments and agencies issued from October 2001 to October 2002 indicate some individual agency improvements, overall they continue to highlight significant information security weaknesses that place a broad array of federal operations and assets at risk of fraud, misuse, and disruption. (Scary emphasis mine)

This of kind government track record with computers doesn’t exactly ease my fears about Total Information Awareness in the name of homeland security. And if you’re about to point out to me that TIA is not part of the Homeland Security Bill, but has been in the works over at the Defense Department for some time already, that won’t make me feel any better.

As far as this baby is concerned, I favor an immediate abortion.

Wed, 20 Nov 2002 13:16:38 GMT

Oh, boy! We're officially secure!

Now that we have a Homeland Security Department, I feel so much safer from terrorists.

It was funny, listening to Tom Daschle complain about all the pork in the bill, considering the bacon he has provided in the past regarding things like timber and buffalo.

One question that has bothered me since President Bush first proposed this is what is the Department of Defense for? If it's there to protect us from outsiders, can I assume HSD is to protect us from...us? All those who find this a little scary, please raise your hand. And leave your email address, social security #, day and night phone #, bank account #, employer's FEIN, your spouse's employer and the number of firearms you own (if you haven't already reported this to your physician), just in case Sec. Ridge and Adm. Poindexter need your help protecting you.

Update: Columnist Kathleen Parker and funnyguy Scott Ott weigh in.