I'm thinking Poindexter set up the phone sweep

[elfin]

in the early days. He was/is a huge fan of data mining. My memory is fuzzy on this, but I seem to recall he got in trouble for something very similar and when the public and Congress got wind of it there was a big stink. They said/lied that it wouldn't go forward.

Does this ring a bell?

Where is he now? what dirty business is he up to?

[SpiralHawk]

1. Ding ding ding ding - We have a winner!

(a likely winner, anyway).

Give the elf a cigar !! (bubble gum variety)

[elfin]

3. Soooo -- if we can see this connection

WHY hasn't it been mentioned at all --- yet??

[tavalon]

2. Total Infomation Awareness

Correct! I've been thinking this is just his baby that kept growing even though they said they were going to end it. That's been a common refrain with this cabal.

[Skidmore]

4. Reagan retread.

[Dunvegan]

5. This new scandal eerily reminds me of the spooks fascination with INSLAW.

I'm thinking of journaling a essay backgrounding INSLAW and comparing and contrasting INSLAW to the current TelcoGate.

Because the "social network analysis" really traces back to INSLAW...a very black-ops connected witches' brew of a scandal.

INSLAW is quite a mystery story. It's complete with murder and accusations the US stole software from an early programmer to use as a "social network analysis" database...and that the US gave away software to many countries free of charge that had a "back-door" whereby the spooks could pull information to aggregate information and compile the world's best globally comprehensive "social network analysis" mapping.

The spooks have been besotted with this "social network analysis" meme for a long, long time now. And our spooks aren't the only intelligence agency in the game, from what I've heard working for the .gov, defense contractors, and a US company that creates security software over the years.

That's why the push for Total Information Awareness (TIA), Tailhook, Eschelon, Carnivore, et. al. has never surprised me.

It's the SCOPE of the current collection and the target that DOES bother me, this scandal.

[madame defarge]

6. The software/technology has existed for awhile...

to do this. Data mining isn't new, as we know. Here's an article I found from a 2002 issue of Wired:
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,56620-0.html
Total Info System Totally Touchy

Can a massive database of information on Americans really preempt terrorist attacks?

That's what industry experts are asking about the Pentagon's proposed Total Information Awareness System, which, according to the proposal (PDF), would aggregate on "an unprecedented scale" credit card, medical, school and travel records.

Critics say looking for terrorists by rooting around in private, commercial databases of Americans' personal information violates the Fourth Amendment -- not to mention citizens' privacy. Some in the industry even refuse to work on the project on ethical grounds.

While the proposal makes clear that designing such databases would require "revolutionary new technology," its goal is to create a working system to hand to law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

The Total Information Awareness System and related efforts received $137 million in government funding for the 2003 fiscal year. It is the signature project of the Office of Information Awareness, which operates under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Leading the initiative is Retired Admiral John Poindexter, who is controversial because of his 1991 conviction (later overturned) for lying to Congress about the Iran-Contra affair.

Also found this great essay by Larry Johnson from January, 2006 that seems very relevant & also mentions the Pointdexter connection (in the comments):

What is Bush Hiding?
by
Larry C. Johnson
http://noquarter.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/01/what_is_bush_hi.html

[Toots]

7. Someting about "Total Information Awareness"

I think you are exactly right and I believe they will determine that is when it all started.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

8. This is one of Helen Thomas' greatest exchanges with Ari Fleisher

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/02/20020225-16.html

That's a summary of the President's day. Helen.

Q Ari, why would this administration choose a man for couterterrorism who is so associated with the dark side of the Iran Contra scandal, Admiral Poindexter?

MR. FLEISCHER: When you say, choose him for counterterrorism, can you be more specific?

Q He's in the Pentagon, he's been appointed head of DARPA, which is a counterterrorist office, developing plans, demonstrations with information.

MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not aware of any appointment.

Q Yet.

MR. FLEISCHER: Let me just say about Admiral Poindexter, Admiral Poindexter is somebody who this administration thinks is an outstanding American and an outstanding citizen who has done a very good job in what he has done for our country, serving in the military.

Q How can you say that, when he told Colonel North to lie?

MR. FLEISCHER: Helen, I think your views on Iran Contra are well-known, but the President does believe that Admiral Poindexter served --

Q It isn't my view, this is the prosecutor for the United States.

MR. FLEISCHER: I understand. The President thinks that Admiral Poindexter has served our nation very well.

Q Really?

MR. FLEISCHER: That's the President's thoughts.

Q Do you know his record?

MR. FLEISCHER: I'm sure you will inform me.

Q I don't have to, all you have to do is look it up.

(Edited because I forgot to include the link to the WH transcript)