- cypherpunks-legacy - lists.cpunks.org

DCMA: You must use Ford Gas in Ford Cars or Else We Repo The Car
by John Doe #N 28 Jun '01

28 Jun '01

>Or does the DCMA make my decrypting a DVD (which I own) using unauthorized >software (i.e. not part of the consortium) illegal, period? When someone sells you something (e.g., a phonograph, or phonograph recording) they can claim that the warrantee is void [1] if you use other than *their* parts (phonograph needles, licensed phonographs), but they cannot tell the govt that they are harmed by your use of unapproved gear. The DCMA folks need to understand this. Badly. [1] An OEM may not be always be able to void a warrantee for objectively bogus reasons, e.g., a car manufacturer probably couldn't get away with dropping a drive-train warrantee because you used generic oil that fullfilled published specs.

4 5

CNN.com - Feds charge 8 with stealing, selling FBI records - June 27, 2001
by Jim Choate 28 Jun '01

28 Jun '01

http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/06/27/fbi.records.probe/index.html -- -- ____________________________________________________________________ Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent. Ludwig Wittgenstein The Armadillo Group ,::////;::-. James Choate Austin, Tx /:'///// ``::>/|/ ravage(a)ssz.com www.ssz.com .', |||| `/( e\ 512-451-7087 -====~~mm-'`-```-mm --'- --------------------------------------------------------------------

1 0

DRUG WAR ON THE WEB Village Voice : 'Narco News' Ready For Libel Suit In New York
by Matthew Gaylor 28 Jun '01

28 Jun '01

Story from Guardian follows Pubdate: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 Source: Village Voice (NY) Copyright: 2001 Village Voice Media, Inc Contact: editor(a)villagevoice.com Website: http://www.villagevoice.com/ Author: Cynthia Cotts Referenced: http://www.narconews.com DRUG WAR ON THE WEB <truthout(a)lists.truthout.com> Last month, when Citigroup bought Banamex, the second largest bank in Mexico, the deal was praised as good for the Mexican people and good for the banks. Citigroup vice chairman Robert Rubin told the press that the deal was the result of an overture from Banamex chairman Roberto Hernandez Ramirez, who is worth $1.3 billion and has been promised a seat on the Citigroup board. On May 18, The New York Times faithfully regurgitated Hernandez's rags-to-riches success story. But the fruit vendor turned billionaire has a dark side. According to statements made in 2000 by Al Giordano, publisher of the Mexican-based NarcoNews.com, Hernandez has also been called a money launderer and a drug dealer. Giordano says he has reviewed published photos and testimony suggesting that Hernandez has shared his Yucatan beachfront with the boats and planes of the cocaine trade. Hernandez has denied the allegations since they were first reported in 1997 by the Mexican newspaper Por Esto! Last summer, after failing in his efforts to get Por Esto! prosecuted in Mexico, the banker decided to sue his critics in New York. He hired Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, a firm that has represented alleged money launderers in the past, to file a libel suit on behalf of Banamex. His lawyer calls the portrayal of Hernandez and Banamex as drug traffickers "utterly false," and claims that Giordano's comments "injured Banamex's business reputation"oa conclusion which seems especially odd now that Banamex has been snapped up by Citigroup for $12.5 billion. Wherever he found his money, Hernandez has enough of it to sue Narco News for yearsoor at least until the Web site shuts down. But it would be a mistake to underestimate my friend Giordano, a respected reporter and activist who plans to defend himself against the libel charges. In what is shaping up to be the summer's most entertaining media trial, Giordano will appear in New York State Supreme Court on July 20, where he plans to throw curve balls during the first round of oral arguments in the case. In his motion to dismiss, Giordano chronicles his lifelong commitment to free speech and claims that every one of his supposedly libelous statements is what the courts call an opinion, because in each case he cited the facts on which his opinion was based. Via e-mail, Giordano wrote that the opinion defense has solid precedents, including a case in which an umpire sued Yankees owner George Steinbrenner for mocking his calls as "ludicrous" and incompetent. Because Steinbrenner referred to specifics to back up his opinion, his statement was found to be not defamatory. Giordano says, "We razzed the umpire in this case, the government, which leaves certain white-collar traffickers alone." Attorney Thomas Lesser, who represents Narco News, also filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the court cannot allow Banamex to sue the Web site in New York for content uploaded in Mexico. According to Lesser, that would be tantamount to giving any libel plaintiff permission to sue any Web site anywhere in the worldoa precedent that would seriously threaten free speech. In its response, Akin Gump calls Lesser's argument a "straw man" and paints Giordano as having superhuman powers to raise money and affect public opinion. The plaintiff also claims jurisdiction in New York because Giordano has business contacts and does fundraising here. It's too early to call a winner, but as of this week, Giordano will stop posting new reports on his Web site. When he arrives in New York, he intends to dispense with the technicalities and turn the spotlight on the drug trade, which is the heart of the case. "We may be out-hollered and out-dollared," he quips, "but we're not outsmarted." Unlike Hernandez, who Giordano says is "hiding behind his bank," the journalist will step up to the plate. "Just showing my face," he says, "will speak volumes about which side of this dispute is telling the truth." Given his passionate opposition to the drug war, Giordano should have plenty of fans cheering from the bleachers. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Pubdate: Mon, 25 Jun 2001 Source: Guardian, The (UK) Copyright: 2001 Guardian Newspapers Limited Contact: letters(a)guardian.co.uk Website: http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/ Author: Sean Dobson Referenced: http://www.narconews.com HACKS HIT IN DRUGS WAR An American Investigative Journalist Is Being Sued Over His Website's Reports Of Drugs Trafficking In Mexico. So What Are The Implications For Freedom Of Speech? In 1997, a notable Mexican billionaire, Roberto Hernandez, general director and majority owner of the National Bank of Mexico (Banamex) and one of the richest men in the world, picked up a copy of Por Esto, a modest Mexican daily newspaper. In its pages was the first of 15 investigative reports which alleged that he was a major drugs trafficker. After a lengthy criminal libel trial lasting more than two years, a Mexican judge ruled that Banamex had not been libelled, a decision that was upheld on appeal in May last year. A third attempt to press criminal charges in Mexico was thrown out of court. Hernandez has never personally filed a libel lawsuit over any of the allegations made by Por Esto. It could have ended there and it nearly did. But next month Banamex will be back in court - this time in Courtroom 205 of the New York State Supreme Court - and a new defendant will stand in the dock alongside Por Esto's editor Mario Menendez and his team of reporters. On July 21, the Mexican hacks will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Al Giordano, a US investigative journalist and publisher of a crusading website, www.narconews.com. At stake, say the defendants, is the future of free speech on the internet. The Banamex suit charges the journalists with "defamation and interference with prospective economic advantage", accusing them of "maliciously smear[ing] Banamex with accusations that, among other things, it is controlled and operated by narcotics traffickers and has engaged in illegal activity". If it hadn't been for Giordano, much of the world would never have heard of Por Esto's allegations. Since leaving his native Boston, the former political reporter has been operating - often in secret - deep in the heart of Latin America's "narco states". He is the sole publisher of Narco News, a website that aims at the reform of US drugs policy. It attempts to expose corruption, offers translations of the Latin press into English and aims to shatter "the illusion that the drugs war is about combating drugs". Banamex's lawyers claim that the defamation occurred last year when Menendez and Giordano went on a publicity tour to New York. The tour included an interview with Menendez in New York's Village Voice, a radio interview with Giordano and Menendez, and a lecture the pair gave at the Columbia University School of Law - all well within the court's jurisdiction.But crucially, the libel action also cites a number of articles Giordano published on his website, which is produced and maintained in Mexico and uploaded to a server in Maryland USA, not New York. Speaking from an undisclosed location in Latin America, Giordano told MediaGuardian: "If the National Bank of Mexico can sue a website published from Mexico, over stories investigated, reported and uploaded from Mexico, and sue that website in New York, that would set a dangerous precedent that chills free speech throughout the internet. If you say something that a large corporation doesn't like, not only can you be hauled into court in Mexico, but you can be hauled into court anywhere in the world." According to Tamsin Allen, a specialist in media law at City law firm Bindman and Partners, Banamex is practising a form of "forum shopping". "It happens quite often," says Allen. "What it means in effect is that the bank is looking around for a forum which is going to give it the best result." Giordano says he left the US because "journalism, as I once knew it, seemed to be dying". After a year in Chiapas, living with the indigenous Zapatista rebels, Giordano began operating from his secret base in Latin America. In a little over a year, Narco News has broken a string of scoops focusing on the war on drugs. It exposed a conflict-of-interest scandal surrounding a series of Associated Press articles about Bolivian politics, which led to the resignation of AP's Bolivia correspondent, Peter McFarren. It also broke the news that the president of Uruguay Jorge Batlle has recently begun calling for the legalisation of drugs. "None of the stories were about Banamex," says Giordano. "So you have to ask: why doesn't Hernandez bring the suit himself?" Narco News will be represented by Charles Nesson, the Harvard law professor who came to prominence in 1987 when he defended Abbie Hoffman and Amy Carter in their fight against the CIA. Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld - the third largest lobbying firm in Washington with clients including Colombia and Bolivia - will represent Banamex. When proceedings begin next month the debate will centre around whether Banamex has acted properly in bringing its lawsuit in New York, when it has already been defeated three times in Mexican courts. In a bid to establish jurisdiction over Narco News, Banamex claims that it is an "affiliate" of a media watchdog group called the Media Channel, which is based in New York. "There's no money involved," says Giordano. "Nobody pays to affiliate with organisations of like interests. But imagine if affiliation could be used to sue Media Channel in New York. It will have a chilling effect on media organisations and citizen groups." Other affiliates include 78 UK organisations, including Amnesty International, Comic Relief and Guardian Unlimited. "If this case is allowed to proceed, it means that any British website, or any site in the world, could be dragged into a New York court," says Giordano. "This case is costing me a lot of money that I don't have. It's costing me time that is taking away from my journalism, and it's a warning to every journalist that the same thing will happen to you if you report about the activities of billionaires." Despite this, Giordano is relishing the fight. "If we go to trial, the drug war goes on trial," he says. "This case has many interesting elements, including photos of cocaine trafficking, and the outrageous story of Mexican state persecution of journalists for taking such photos and reporting the facts." Also, "there is drug-money laundering, including in the tourism industry, a US president and ambassador who were guests at the accused trafficker's estate, and official complicity with and protection of white-collar drug trafficking on both sides of the border." __________________________________________________________________________ Distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. --- ************************************************************************** Subscribe to Freematt's Alerts: Pro-Individual Rights Issues Send a blank message to: freematt(a)coil.com with the words subscribe FA on the subject line. List is private and moderated (7-30 messages per week) Matthew Gaylor, (614) 313-5722 ICQ: 106212065 Archived at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fa/ **************************************************************************

1 0

Phoning Home
by mmotyka＠lsil.com 28 Jun '01

28 Jun '01

I'd be steamed if I had a laptop stolen. Recovering stolen property sounds good but the little zTrace widget is probably in the flash or on the hdd - reflash bios, reinstall os. Might want to use a pcmcia nic to get a new mac address, I have seen an enet chip that uses a small eeprom for the mac and can be reprogrammed in circuit, use Linux to avoid the cpuid sneaking out. Now how does it phone home? Best bet is watch it closely or lock it up when you can't. Mike

2 1

FREE ELECTRICITY for homes
by Rick 27 Jun '01

27 Jun '01

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This message is sent in compliance of the new e-mail bill: SECTION 301. Per section 301, Paragraph (a)(2)(C) of S. 1618, Further transmissions to you by the sender of this email may be stopped at no cost to you by sending a reply to this email address with the word "remove" in the subject line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you interested in FREE ELECTRICITY? Are you tired of paying electric bills? Would you be interested in receiving FREE ELECTRICITY from The International Tesla Electric Company? A limited amount of people can receive a FREE ELECTRICITY GENERATOR at their residence. Act NOW! First come First serve. For details, send an email to rick(a)nationalserviceco.com and make your Declaration of Energy Independence today. ________________________________________________________________________ UCSA---Advertisment

1 0

FREE ELECTRICITY for homes
by Rick 27 Jun '01

27 Jun '01

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This message is sent in compliance of the new e-mail bill: SECTION 301. Per section 301, Paragraph (a)(2)(C) of S. 1618, Further transmissions to you by the sender of this email may be stopped at no cost to you by sending a reply to this email address with the word "remove" in the subject line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you interested in FREE ELECTRICITY? Are you tired of paying electric bills? Would you be interested in receiving FREE ELECTRICITY from The International Tesla Electric Company? A limited amount of people can receive a FREE ELECTRICITY GENERATOR at their residence. Act NOW! First come First serve. For details, send an email to rick(a)nationalserviceco.com and make your Declaration of Energy Independence today. ________________________________________________________________________ UCSA---Advertisment

1 0

NTUN Q1 Revenues up 68%
by InvestorsEdge 27 Jun '01

27 Jun '01

[BG Capital Group] June 27, 2001 Volume 1 Issue 3 [Image] Dear Investor The Neptune Society Releases First Quarter Numbers Wow! What A Great Quarter For NTUN! There are great opportunities for investors in a lean and mean market environment and The Neptune Society (OTC BB: NTUN) story surpasses all standards. The company is only now beginning to realize the strength of its brand name and the positive results its management decisions have brought about over the past two years. The eagerly awaited, quarterly report that was just issued far exceeded our expectations and we are truly excited and proud to bring this stock to your attention. Gaining market share, streamlining operations to peak capacity of production, and a sales and marketing strategy that is paying off with record response rates and contracts signed, has made the Neptune Society the absolute leader in their niche -- the only publicly traded company that deals solely in cremation. Read On. Were Confident Youll Agree. Recent Highlights * For the last 5 days, made a new high in stock price 5 times * From 6/8 at $2.15 a share, the stock made a 20-day run to $6.20 on 6/26 * Relisted to the OTC BB from the Pink Sheets and will be applying for a senior exchange listing * Analyst coverage initiated by Banyan Capital Markets * Multex Market Guide establishes ProVestor company report 6/23 Quarterly Highlights 1) Gross Profit Margin ratio 10% higher than industry average 2) Most recent quarter revenue growth up 67% over the same period prior year 3) First quarter EBITDA increased 37% over same period prior year 4) Pre-Need contracts up 78% Symbolic of management efficiency, all major categories of Neptunes Operating Statement improved as a percentage of revenue for the quarter ended 03/31/01. Revenues Increased 68% And As A Percentage Of Revenues... Management and finance fees decreased Direct cost and expenses decreased Gross profit increased General and administrative expenses decreased Amortization and depreciation expense decreased Professional fees decreased Total general administrative expenses decreased Interest expense decreased We anticipate the Neptune Societys quarterly achievements in financial ratios and valuations will continue to improve in the next quarter and the Company will increase asset recognition, increase revenues, and reduce costs. HOT OFF THE PRESS !!! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE NEPTUNE SOCIETY ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER RESULTS Burbank, CA., June 27, 2001 The Neptune Society, Inc., (OTC BB: NTUN) one of the countrys largest publicly traded cremation specialists, announced its significant strategic accomplishments and financial results of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2001. On June 1, 2001, the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) came to a position of no further comment with respect to Neptune Societys Registration Statement Form 10 filed with the SEC to register its common stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, completing an extensive and expensive 18-month process. During the process, with guidance from the staff of the SEC, Neptune Society developed its accounting policies related to recognition of pre-need merchandise revenue prior to the provision of cremation services. Subsequently, Neptune Society implemented changes to its pre need sales programs that will allow it to recognize pre-need merchandise revenues at the point-of-sale in certain states on a going forward basis. Also with guidance from the staff of the SEC, Neptune Society adopted new accounting policies, which resulted in the deferral of pre-need merchandise revenues in the amounts of $1.6 million and $4.3 million during the first quarter and the year ended December 31, 2000, respectively. Under United States generally accepted accounting principles, these deferrals are not recognized in the revenues of Neptune Society. During the first quarter ended March 31, 2001, Neptune Society recognized revenues of $2.7 million. Approximately two and one half years ago, Neptune Society acquired a group of closely-held corporations and limited partnerships loosely connected with virtually no standardized policies and procedures for financial and managerial information reporting. In 2000, Neptune Society invested heavily to substantially retool these operations for the purposes of realizing operating efficiencies. Neptune Society has attracted talented management personnel, expanded its telemarketing operations, updated and expanded its accounting and management information systems (including networking office locations together), made two strategic acquisitions, opened two new offices and implemented the infrastructure and quality controls necessary to support future growth and expansion. In the first quarter of 2001, Neptune Society began to realize positive results from the changes to its business infrastructure and the addition of new offices. Neptune Societys first quarter operations generated positive cash flows, after taking into consideration certain prepaid expenses and certain payments related to fiscal year 2000, which caused cash flows related to operating activities to decrease. In addition, Neptune Society incurred $176,000 in professional fees, primarily related to the registration of its common stock under the Securities Exchange Act to qualify its shares for listing on the NASD over-the-counter bulletin board and, in the future, a listing on a major exchange. The costs incurred for professional fees are anticipated to begin to trend downward toward the end of the second quarter. Management believes that other indicators of growth and progress of Neptune Societys performance include transaction volume and non-refundable sales (sales for which the customer has no refund or cancellation rights even though these sales may not be recognizable as revenue under the new accounting policies and US GAAP). Below are selected financial and operational results for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 compared to the same period in the prior year: Pre-need contract sales volume up 76% Total transaction volume up 58% Revenues up 68% Non-refundable sales (non-US GAAP) up 67% Gross profit up 100% Gross profit % up 17% Earnings & deferred earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (non-US GAAP) up $796,099 While other major death-care industry companies reported declining transaction volumes and top line revenues during the first quarter compared to the same period in 2000 due in part to declining mortality rates, Neptune Society experienced increased transaction volume across all product lines. Pre-need contract sales volume increased 76 percent overall, with existing offices accounting for 41 percent of the overall increase. At-need case volume increased 46 percent over the same period last year, with existing offices accounting for 13 percent of the overall growth. Revenues were $2.7 million for the for the three month period ended March 31, 2001 compared to $1.6 million for the same period in 2000. Non-refundable sales were $4.2 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2001 compared to $2.5 million for the same period in 2000. Non-refundable sales increased 67 percent due to increased at-need and pre-need activity, change in product mix (from installment sales to paid-in-full sales) and the introduction of a new travel assurance product offering. The introduction of the Neptune Society Worldwide Travel Assurance Plan, a new product offering, contributed $295,000 to the increase in non-refundable sales and revenues during the first quarter of 2001. Gross profits doubled from $.65 million for the first quarter of 2000 to $1.3 million during for the same period in 2001. Gross profit percentage increased 17 percent due to the increased volume of activity and the resulting revenues, which covered certain fixed costs related to cremation and telemarketing operations. Earnings and deferred earnings (deferred revenues and costs, net) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization are representative of the Companys operating performance if no revenues or costs had been deferred. This non-US GAAP metric was $387,000, up $796,099 in the first quarter of 2001 versus the same period in 2000. Management believes that the Neptune Society is well positioned for growth in each of its core product lines: Pre-Need contract sales and at-need case deposition. Neptune Society has consolidated a group of companies into a strategically focused public company serving the cremation segment of the death care industry. Neptune Societys goal in 2001 is to continue to integrate its product offerings, achieve higher organic and expansion growth, maintain positive cash flows and maximize the value that management believes to be inherent in Neptune Society for the benefit of its shareholders. The Neptune Societys complete Form 10 and Form 10Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2001 is available for viewing at www.neptunesociety.com or the Securities Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov. RODNEY M. BAGLEY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER NEPTUNE SOCIETY INC. About The Neptune Society Headquartered in Burbank, CA., The Neptune Society Inc. is one of North Americas largest cremation specialists, and is the only publicly traded company dealing solely in cremation services. The Neptune Society, operating for nearly three decades with locations in California, Florida, New York, Washington, Iowa, Oregon and Arizona has provided thousands of cremation services and currently has close to 60,000 active contracts and nearly $40 million in trust in its unique Pre-Need program. The Neptune Societys goal is to provide a simple, dignified and economic alternative to the traditional funeral burial service system. Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Readers/Investors are cautioned that the forward- looking statements are inherently uncertain, including statements related to the Companys business strategy and future plans, continuing trends related to results of operations, success of acquisitions and expansion efforts, its ability to integrate its current business strategies into its existing operations, its ability to successfully financing to satisfy its obligations under promissory notes due during 2001, regulatory or economic changes affecting the death care industry, and the Companys expectations for future success. Actual performance and results of operations may differ materially from those projected or suggested. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the Companys judgment as of the date of this release, and the Company cautions the reader not to place undue reliance on such statements. These forward-looking statements should not be reprinted, reiterated nor considered an inducement for investment. -xxx- Click here for a PDF version of Neptune's First Quarter 10Q [Image] Contact The Neptune Society Investor Relations Gary R. Loffredo (800) 535-7935 www.neptunesociety.com Corporate Headquarters 3500 W. Olive Suite # 1430 Burbank, CA 91505 Telephone: 888-637-8863 E-mail: info(a)neptunesociety.com Visit The Neptune Society on the Web: Click here We invite you to investigate the Neptune Society, trading symbol NTUN, by using the following links. Recent SEC Filings click here Click here for Financial Chart For Trading Technicals click here For current stock quote click here Disclaimer: The information contained herein is based on news releases or other reports written and disseminated entirely by the subject company. Any information, opinions or analysis regarding the subject company to which Investors Edge has provided a link or other detail are provided by sources believed to be reliable but no representation, expressed or implied, is made as to its accuracy, completeness or correctness. This report is for information purposes only and should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. Although Investors Edge has not been compensated for dissemination and posting of this information, Investors Edge, its owners, agents affiliates and employees may from time to time have either a long or short position in securities mentioned. This constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the subject company. Write or call Investors Edge for detailed disclosure as required by Rule 17b of the Securities Act of 1933/1934. Investors Edge and its owners, agents and employees are not investment advisors and this report is not investment advice. This information is neither a solicitation to buy nor an offer to sell securities. Information contained herein contains forward-looking statements and is subject to significant risks and uncertainties, which will affect the results. The opinions contained herein reflect our current judgment and are subject to change without notice. Information contained herein may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of Investors Edge (Copyright 2001.) Safe Harbor Statement: This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Readers/Investors are cautioned that the forward- looking statements are inherently uncertain, including statements related to the Companys business strategy, success of its acquisitions, its ability to integrate its current business strategies into its existing operations and the Companys expectations for future success. Actual performance and results of operations may differ materially from those projected or suggested. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the Companys judgment as of the date of this release, and the Company cautions the reader not to place undue reliance on such statements. These forward-looking statements should not be reprinted, reiterated nor considered an inducement for investment. Copyright © 2001 BG Capital Group --- You are currently subscribed to investorsedge as: cypherpunks(a)algebra.com To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-investorsedge-1655339N(a)lyris.investorsedge.net

1 0

Dick Cheney: the new Hillary Clinton
by George＠Orwellian.Org 27 Jun '01

27 Jun '01

Heh. Dick Cheney is formulating an energy policy, but refuses to say who he's meeting with. Just like Hillary Clinton and her health panel meetings. Oh, and after being slammed (Bush/Cheney) for ridiculing energy conservation, and having made fun of Gore during the presidential campaign for wanting to offer tax credits for hybrid car purchases, now recommends doing the same thing. Politicians. ---- http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/26/politics/26CHEN.html?searchpv=day01 # # Cheney Withholds List of Those Who Spoke to Energy Panel # # By JOSEPH KAHN June 26, 2001 # # WASHINGTON, June 25 - Vice President Dick Cheney has declined # to identify the people who met privately with his energy task # force, raising tensions with Congressional investigators who # have repeatedly requested the information. # # The General Accounting Office, an investigative arm of Congress, # sent Mr. Cheney's office a letter late last week complaining # that a month had passed since it first submitted an inquiry about # the workings of the task force. The letter said the vice president # had a legal obligation to provide the information immediately. # # Mr. Cheney's office said the letter was sent one day after it # submitted 77 pages of documents to the accounting office. # # "Our correspondence crossed in the mail," said Juleanna Glover # Weiss, a spokeswoman for Mr. Cheney. # # But Ms. Weiss said the vice president had not provided the names # of people, including industry executives, who may have influenced # the formation of the Bush administration's energy policy, which # was released last month. # # "Our counsel and the G.A.O. will continue to talk about this," # Ms. Weiss said. # # The energy task force Mr. Cheney headed spent several months # compiling a lengthy energy strategy that contained about 150 # recommendations for administrative and legislative actions to # address what it termed an energy crisis. # # Administration officials have said that they met with a wide # variety of people concerned about energy issues, including # executives of oil, natural gas, electricity, nuclear power and # energy infrastructure companies. They have declined to provide # a list of people who had access to the task force. # # Some Democrats have asserted that leading Republican donors had # special access to the task force and that the energy policy is # skewed toward measures favored by major corporations. Two # Democratic representatives, Henry A. Waxman of California and # John D. Dingell of Michigan, asked the accounting office to report # on the officials who served on the task force, what information # was collected by the panel, whom they met with and how much the # task force spent. # # The White House provided the G.A.O. with the financial records # of the task force. But administration officials have told the # investigative body that they are not compelled to provide the # names of outsiders who met with the task force. # # The accounting office's general counsel, Anthony H. Gamboa, said # in a letter to Mr. Cheney's office last week that the # investigative body is entitled to more information. # # The letter warned that if the White House does not provide the # full range of information the G.A.O. is seeking, it may issue # a "demand letter," a more formal request. Under the law, the # White House would have 20 days to respond. # # If the dispute continues, the accounting office could bring a # civil action against the administration. ---- Ugh, my previous complaint about missing mail: entirely my fault. I managed to have two different POP clients running.

1 0

Dick Cheney: the new Hillary Clinton
by George＠Orwellian.Org 27 Jun '01

27 Jun '01

Heh. Dick Cheney is formulating an energy policy, but refuses to say who he's meeting with. Just like Hillary Clinton and her health panel meetings. Oh, and after being slammed (Bush/Cheney) for ridiculing energy conservation, and having made fun of Gore during the presidential campaign for wanting to offer tax credits for hybrid car purchases, now recommends doing the same thing. Politicians. ---- http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/26/politics/26CHEN.html?searchpv=day01 # # Cheney Withholds List of Those Who Spoke to Energy Panel # # By JOSEPH KAHN June 26, 2001 # # WASHINGTON, June 25 - Vice President Dick Cheney has declined # to identify the people who met privately with his energy task # force, raising tensions with Congressional investigators who # have repeatedly requested the information. # # The General Accounting Office, an investigative arm of Congress, # sent Mr. Cheney's office a letter late last week complaining # that a month had passed since it first submitted an inquiry about # the workings of the task force. The letter said the vice president # had a legal obligation to provide the information immediately. # # Mr. Cheney's office said the letter was sent one day after it # submitted 77 pages of documents to the accounting office. # # "Our correspondence crossed in the mail," said Juleanna Glover # Weiss, a spokeswoman for Mr. Cheney. # # But Ms. Weiss said the vice president had not provided the names # of people, including industry executives, who may have influenced # the formation of the Bush administration's energy policy, which # was released last month. # # "Our counsel and the G.A.O. will continue to talk about this," # Ms. Weiss said. # # The energy task force Mr. Cheney headed spent several months # compiling a lengthy energy strategy that contained about 150 # recommendations for administrative and legislative actions to # address what it termed an energy crisis. # # Administration officials have said that they met with a wide # variety of people concerned about energy issues, including # executives of oil, natural gas, electricity, nuclear power and # energy infrastructure companies. They have declined to provide # a list of people who had access to the task force. # # Some Democrats have asserted that leading Republican donors had # special access to the task force and that the energy policy is # skewed toward measures favored by major corporations. Two # Democratic representatives, Henry A. Waxman of California and # John D. Dingell of Michigan, asked the accounting office to report # on the officials who served on the task force, what information # was collected by the panel, whom they met with and how much the # task force spent. # # The White House provided the G.A.O. with the financial records # of the task force. But administration officials have told the # investigative body that they are not compelled to provide the # names of outsiders who met with the task force. # # The accounting office's general counsel, Anthony H. Gamboa, said # in a letter to Mr. Cheney's office last week that the # investigative body is entitled to more information. # # The letter warned that if the White House does not provide the # full range of information the G.A.O. is seeking, it may issue # a "demand letter," a more formal request. Under the law, the # White House would have 20 days to respond. # # If the dispute continues, the accounting office could bring a # civil action against the administration. ---- Ugh, my previous complaint about missing mail: entirely my fault. I managed to have two different POP clients running.

1 0

The Register - How to trace stolen notebooks over the Net
by John Doe #N 27 Jun '01

27 Jun '01

Choate pointed & grunted to: Software which pinpoints the exact location of laptop thieves via the Net is due to land in Europe by the end of this year. The software, developed by US company zTrace, activates a tracing technology when stolen laptops are connected to the Internet. Boy that's hard. All you need is a fixed IP (for laptop to check if its been reported stolen) and a 1-800 number (well, the Euro equiv which gives caller's number) and a warrant (ergo the required police report) for the number's meatspace loc'n from the local Telecom. Someone should do a freeware knock off. A software dead-man switch (tell the laptop a secret or it reports itself stolen to a 1-800 trace...) would work just as well. And you can forget the 1-800 if you can count on the equiv of 911 service.

1 0