Armchair Liberty Watch: 2003-06-24

June 24/03. Winds of Change.NET Regional Briefings run on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. This briefing is actually a special feature focused on U.S. Homeland Security & Liberty, courtesy of Armchair Analyst Mike Van Winkle.

Topics Today Include: Librarian protection; U.S. citizens detained to date; $300m for Port security initiatives; Fed snooping on file-sharing; DCIO's BS PhD....

• And the debate over the Patriot Act continues...Librarians and Booksellers all over the country are calling for support of Senate Bill 1158, The Library and Bookseller Protection Act. The bill, introduced by Barbara Boxer (D), aims to exempt librarians from the Patriot Act.

• Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced some $300 million in new funding for port security projects from Alaska to Florida. Ridge also announced new initiatives to expand use of security technology and increase cooperation with government agencies at ports in three Muslim countries.

• Meanwhile, John Ashcroft appeared unapologetic before Congress in response to an internal report called into question the Justice Department's post 9/11 round-up in which more than 700 immigrants were detained for suspicion of terror connection but were never charged.

• Ashcroft even took the opportunity to ask for expanded anti-terror powers, i.e. increased penalties for terrorists and "material supporters", as well as the right to detain terror suspects indefinitely. Yet, contrary to headlines, it seems his requests may have been merely a "clarification" of existing powers rather than a "broadening."

• Speaking of detainees, US citizen Jose Padilla has now been incarcerated for over a year. Jeralyn Merritt observed the controversial anniversary at TalkLeft.

• The Feds could be observing you soon...at least if your are file sharing. HR-2517, The Piracy Deterrence and Education Act of 2003, if passed, will compel the FBI to develop a program for cracking down on illegal file trafficking. (Hat tip: Chris)

• Finally, on the lighter side of things, Department of Homeland Security deputy CIO Laura Callahan was placed on leave when it was discovered that her Ph.D. has B.S. written all over it. She apparently acquired the doctorate for a small fee and a four page paper "referred to as a dissertation". These are the modest requirements of her alma mater and degree mill, Hamilton University. (Hat Tip: Julian Sanchez)