16. July, 2002 - Freedom ain't free

Confusing E-Mail about Opt-Out Number Sends the Wrong Message, saying that you can call a toll-free number to opt out of credit reporting to anyone who asks. The toll free number just lets you opt out of getting "pre-approved" credit solicitations. You still have to call each credit-card company directly to tell them to keep your information private, too. [librarian]
Is That Flight Really Necessary? If it is, J. J. Johnson has some suggestions on how to deal with the security screening. [endwar]
Bush planning to turn us into a nation of narcs, who'll spy on each other and report suspicious behavior to the secret police, who'll kick in doors at 3 in the morning. Okay, I'm making up the 3 in the morning part, I hope, but the proposal would mean a higher percentage of informers than the East German Stasi had, which seems a mite extreme. Stavros the wonder chicken has a suggestion for How to respond to Operation TIPS. [some guy]
Internet portals in China sign pact to restrict access, signing a voluntary pledge to purge the Web of content that China's communist government deems subversive. [some guy]
Consumer Group Assails Digital Copyright Efforts, basically asking Congress to wipe the slate clean and start over because it's only been the businesses that have been advising lawmakers so far, and the consumer voice has gone unheard. [some guy]