U.S. Postpones Domestic Spy Satellite Program
Legal World
A program to employ spy satellites for certain domestic uses has been postponed because of privacy concerns. Congress had already provided money for the program, which was to begin this month. But some lawmakers demanded more information about its legal basis and what protections there were to ensure that the government was not peering into the homes of Americans. As a result, the Homeland Security Department is not formally moving ahead with the program until it answers those questions, a department spokesman said.
The program would have expanded access to material gathered by satellites that monitor American territory to agencies involved in emergency response, border control and law enforcement. A new office within the Homeland Security Department, called the National Applications Office, would coordinate requests from civilian agencies for satellite information. Currently, civilian use of the material has generally been limited to monitoring weather and climate changes and to making maps.
Representative Bennie Thompson, Democrat of Mississippi, an opponent of the program, commended the department on Monday for its decision to "go back to the drawing board and get it right."
The department would not say how long it planned to postpone the program. "We are cooperatively working with the Congress to answer any questions that they have," said a spokesman, Andrew Lluberes. "We are totally confident that this is going to go forward."
Related listings
-
Putin Says He Will Run for Parliament
Legal World 10/02/2007President Vladimir V. Putin, who is barred from seeking another term, suggested Monday that he might become prime minister next year, seeming to confirm what many analysts had assumed: that he plans to hold on to the power he has accrued over eight y...
-
Italy Approves Tax Cuts for Businesses
Legal World 09/29/2007Italy's Cabinet approved lower taxes for businesses and tax breaks for homeowners and renters Saturday, a reflection of Premier Romano Prodi's efforts to pacify disgruntled centrists and far-left parties in his fractious coalition. The measures, part...
-
China Targets Sexy Ads for Ban
Legal World 09/29/2007China has banned TV and radio ads for push-up bras and figure-enhancing underwear in the communist government's latest move to purge the nation's airwaves of what it calls social pollution. No examples were given, but Chinese television channels have...
New York Commercial Litigation Law Firm - Woods Lonergan PLLC
Founded in 1993 by Managing Partner James F. Woods, Woods Lonergan PLLC has built a strong reputation as a resourceful and industrious firm that provides clients with clear, concise, and straightforward answers to their most challenging legal issues. Partner Lawrence R. Lonergan, who joined the firm in 2008, has been a friend and colleague to Mr. Woods for over 40 years and shares the same business philosophy. Woods Lonergan PLLC’s collective experience and expertise enables the firm to expeditiously and effectively analyze the increasing challenges clients face in an evolving business and legal world, in many instances, avoiding unnecessary time and expense to our clients. Our mission is simple: provide cutting-edge expertise and sound advice in select areas of the law for corporate and business clients. We thrive on providing each client with personalized attention, forceful representation, and a collaborative team effort that embraces collective knowledge.