Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : THE SLIGHTLY MODERATED BOXING RING -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Poet who wrote (17739)	7/18/2002 10:47:23 AM
From: jlallen	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 21057

Its redundant and a waste of money. I'm opposed. At most maybe increase the budget to publicize the DOJ tiplines for these sorts of things.... JLA

To: Poet who wrote (17739)	7/18/2002 10:51:38 AM
From: Original Mad Dog	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 21057

USPS didn't give a reason. story.news.yahoo.com Postal Service declines to take part in terrorist tip program Wed Jul 17, 6:14 PM ET By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON - The Postal Service has decided not to take part in a government program touted as a tip service for authorities concerned with terrorism, but which is being assailed as a scheme to cast ordinary Americans as "peeping Toms." "The Postal Service had been approached by homeland security regarding Operation TIPS; however, it was decided that the Postal Service and its letter carriers would not be participating in the program at this time," the agency said in a statement issued Wednesday. The project is promoted by the Justice Department ( news - web sites) as a means for workers whose jobs bring them in contact with neighborhoods, highways and businesses to report suspicious activities. It has drawn the wrath of the American Civil Liberties Union ( news - web sites), which charged it would result in Americans spying on one another. Attorney General John Ashcroft ( news - web sites)'s spokeswoman, Barbara Comstock, said the agency had no intention for people — such as utility workers — to enter or have access to the homes of individuals. The idea is to organize information from people whose jobs take them through neighborhoods, along the coasts and highways and on public transit, she said. Said Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge: "The last thing we want is Americans spying on Americans. That's just not what the president is all about, and not what the TIPS program is all about." The ACLU said the concept was worrisome, nonetheless. "The administration apparently wants to implement a program that will turn local cable or gas or electrical technicians into government-sanctioned Peeping Toms," said Rachel King, an ACLU legislative counsel. Postal officials did not elaborate on the decision not to participate.

To: Poet who wrote (17739)	7/18/2002 11:10:40 AM
From: Lane3	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 21057

opening the door for privacy abuses fueled by personal grudges rather than concerned for homeland security. That's why I think some informational materials might be useful. Hindus tourists vying for window seats aren't dangerous. But I can see why someone might feel itchy over that. There have been a lot of reports of people reporting Arabs photographing reservoirs and that type of report seemed to be encouraged. I'm not sure any publishable materials could identify the salient danger factors but it might be worth a try. OTOH, publishing that sort of thing also gives the bad guys a heads-up on what not to do to attract attention. It's a difficult problem.