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CHIEF JONES' WEDNESDAY NIGHT CONFERENCE CALL
I have had quite a lot of positive feedback about Chief Jones' amazing Wednesday night' conference call with Robert Duncan and Ray Schumann. I talked to the Chief Tuesday night in preparation for the call and when I sent out the announcements the next day, word spread like wildfire!
I saw at one point there were 132 listeners on the call. And in checking the stats later, I found that there were 240 visitors total for the evening. We might even have had twice that many if I had sent notice a few days prior, however, something like that gives the perpetrators too much time to mess with things.
All told, this was a very successful call which brought together the legal and scientific sectors of our community to discuss our issues in a public forum. It was very exhilarating and informative.
In speaking to the Chief afterwards, he does plan to do this again sometime in the near future.
For those that were not able to attend, the link for the audio recording is now posted on our website and here for your convenience:
Click here to listen to the recording of Chief Jones, Robert Duncan and Ray Schumann
SAFEGUARDING AMERICANS' PRIVATE RECORDS ACT
Maybe the many years we have been to Congress are finally starting to pay off. This bill was recently presented in Congress by Senator Ron Wyden and a bipartisan, bicameral list of co-sponsors. It's entitled the Safeguarding Americans' Private Records Act.
It attempts to completely rein in the Executive branch's illegal surveillance and monitoring activities, including phone records and Internet traffic.
Rep. Zoe Lefgren, from California, one of the sponsors of the bill said, “In public hearings, the Intelligence Community made it clear that it does not believe Fourth Amendment privacy protections for personal or private information that exist for criminal investigations necessarily apply to national security investigations. That position is not only contrary to the Constitution, but also defies Congressional intent. That’s why our Safeguarding Americans’ Private Records Act prevents the misuse of Section 215 by clarifying that simply calling an investigation an ‘intelligence investigation’ cannot be used to circumvent Americans’ Fourth Amendment protections.”
If this bill is enacted,and those privacy protections are implemented, it will go a long way in ensuring the privacy rights of targeted individuals in major areas of our lives.
We all would do well to follow and encourage the progress of this very important piece of legislation. It has reportedly been endorsed by the Free Press, Demand Progress, and FreedomWorks groups.
Click here for a summary of the 'Safeguarding Americans' Private Records Act.'
Click here for the text of the bill
UPDATE: LINDA COSTANZO
The latest I have heard today is that Linda Costanzo is in the hospital in intensive care, very gravely ill and on life support. The hospital I've heard is trying to contact the next of kin for approval to pull the plug.
The prognosis is obviously grim at this point. Those who have known Linda will all miss her endearing laugh and comforting words.
OUR SEMI-ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DRIVE CONTINUES!
We have been quite busy here lately at PACTS, International with a variety of projects, including the launch our PACTS, International TV show, plus keeping up with our magazine, newsletters, and conference calls!
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PACTS, INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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