Boston Police spying on peace activists: what’s the big deal?

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Keeping the national security industrial complex afloat: the great terrorism boondoggle

Today, the ACLU of Massachusetts launched its report about the spying on lawful protest activity by the Boston Police and the agents attached to its fusion center, one of those domestic surveillance hubs set up in the aftermath of 9/11 to share “terrorism-related” information.

Quick privacy and civil liberties news round-up: what you need to know and might have missed

Forever drones, police spying on police, FBI visit to photographer’s home, Britney Spears’ privacy crisis and more

News you need to know, in case you missed it

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Administration swiftly appeals Judge Forrest’s indefinite detention ruling

If you thought – as we did – that some time would elapse before the government would challenge the September 12^th ruling issued by Judge Katherine Forrest striking down indefinite detention, you would be wrong.

Judge Forrest sticks up for the US Constitution, strikes down indefinite detention

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“Courts must safeguard core constitutional rights.”

Using such unwavering language, US district judge Katherine Forrest has refused to bend to the Obama Administration that appointed her to the federal bench.

DOJ: No charges for torture, killing of CIA detainees

Here's a study in contrast: The Obama administration's Department of Justice is prosecuting someone for telling the public about CIA torture, and has let the CIA off the hook entirely not only for its torture regime but also for the killing of detainees in its custody.

Disclosures about torture are unacceptable. The torture (leading to death) itself? No matter.

Longtime Black Panther associate was FBI informant, report says

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NDAA lawsuit back in court

President Obama courageously signed the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act on New Years' Eve, when most adults in the United States were probably in some state of inebriation. That particular version of the routine military funding bill allows the government to indefinitely detain people accused of being militants in the broadly defined war on terror against al Qaeda and "associated forces."