Gates Creates Cyber-Defense Command
By Ellen Nakashima
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates issued an order yesterday establishing a command that will defend military networks against computer attacks and develop offensive cyber-weapons, but he also directed that the structure be ready to help safeguard civilian systems. In a memo to senior military leaders, Gates said he will recommend that President Obama designate that the new command be led by the director of the National Security Agency, the world's largest electronic intelligence-gathering agency. The current NSA director, Lt. Gen. Keith B. Alexander, is expected to be awarded a fourth star and to lead the cyber-command. Gates or his deputy had been expected to announce the command in a speech a week ago. Analysts said making the announcement by memo is in keeping with the Pentagon's effort to tamp down concerns that the Defense Department and the NSA will dominate efforts to protect the nation's computer networks. "Is it going to be the dominant player by default because the Department of Homeland Security is weak and this new unit will be strong?" said James A. Lewis, a cybersecurity expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "That's a legitimate question, and I think DoD will resist having that happen. But there are issues of authorities that haven't been cleared up. What authorities does DoD have to do things outside the dot-mil space?" The command will be set up as part of the U.S. Strategic Command, which is responsible for commanding operations in nuclear and computer warfare. Gates directed that the command be launched by this October and be fully operational by October 2010. In a speech last week,…

  Even terrorism suspects have rightsProposals like Sen. Joe Lieberman's to take away a suspect's citizenship put the nation on a dangerous path.By Erwin ChemerinskyMay 11, 2010Last week, following the attempted bombing in Times Square, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) proposed that those aiding foreign terrorist activity should be stripped of their citizenship. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton quickly agreed, with a few reservations, that the idea had merits.On Sunday, Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. said on morning news shows that Congress should consider legislation that would allow questioning of terrorism suspects without warning them of their right to remain silent, as required by the Supreme Court in Miranda vs. Arizona.Both of these proposals are dangerous and ineffective violations of basic civil liberties, and they are almost surely unconstitutional. In 1967, in Afroyim vs. Rusk, the Supreme Court held that Congress cannot strip individuals of citizenship unless they choose to renounce it. In words directly applicable to the Lieberman proposal, the court stated: "Citizenship is no light trifle to be jeopardized any moment Congress decides to do so.... The very nature of our free government makes it completely incongruous to have a rule of law under which a group of citizens temporarily in office can deprive another group of citizens of their citizenship."Nor can Congress eliminate the need to inform terrorism suspects of their right to remain silent. The Supreme Court has held that the warning is required by the privilege against self-incrimination found in the 5th Amendment. Previous efforts by Congress to eliminate or modify this have been declared unconstitutional.Moreover, such actions are unnecessary. Those who commit terrorist acts can and should be severely punished; stripping them of their citizenship and failing to inform them of their right to remain silent…

  Deportation Data Reflect ShiftA record number of criminal aliens have been deported so far this year, reflecting a shift in emphasis by the Obama administration, according to an independent analysis released Monday. Read Article    

 Storage-unit auctions on the rise By William Ecenbarger For The Inquirer HARRISBURG - There's a bumper crop of pickups and trucks in the parking lot at Storage Depot, and their drivers are standing in front of Unit 226, smoking, sipping coffee, hunching their shoulders against the cold, and stamping their feet to stay warm. Whenever they speak, the vapor of their breaths floats from their mouths. There are perhaps 50 people here, and they cast long shadows in the early-morning sun. Some grip flashlights. Their pockets and purses bulge with padlocks. At precisely 9 a.m., auctioneer B.J. Jennings steps in front of the unit. A breeze rustles her long, blond hair as she brings the wireless microphone to her lips. "Good morning, everyone. It's a beautiful, crisp day. So let's get the show on the road. Let's play, shall we?" With that, her assistant steps forward, removes the lock from Unit 226, and raises the blue corrugated roll-up door. Those in the crowd surge forward. They crane their necks, stand on tiptoe, remove sunglasses, and drink it all in with thirsty eyes. "No touching!" Jennings warns. "No opening bags and boxes! You'll be trespassing. This is still somebody else's property." The unit is piled to the ceiling with plastic trash bags, cardboard boxes, fishing rods, firewood, a fire extinguisher, two Batman lunch boxes, laundry baskets filled with clothing - faded Levi's jeans, torn prom gowns, and born-again Christian Diors. After five minutes, all have had their fill and Jennings begins in a voice like a bronze gong. "Give me $125, $125, $150, $150, now $175, $175, $200 . . .." The words come in staccato bursts in response to winks, nods, taps, and eyebrow-raisings from the bidders. "Price at $225, $250, $250; $225, bid, $250, $250, $275, $300,…