Here's an article saying that the Boston cops last week started random searches of commuters bags and purses on the subway. The alarming point is that these measures will be permanent: http://www.nccprivacy.org/040723MBTA.html John Young's Cryptome has published reports of how shoddy convention security was a few days before the Democratic convention, and here's a Globe article from July 25: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/conventions/articles/2004/07/25/confusion_reigns_as_security_rules/ "About 500 journalists toting briefcases and cameras were herded around almost the entire perimeter of the FleetCenter, and across two ramps to Route 93 and onto the parking lot of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center. Another 200 journalists cooled their heels at one entrance to the FleetCenter for more than 90 minutes not knowing that the media at another entrance was finally gaining access, at least to the magnetometers." Here's a scan on potential 802.11 "WiFi" network vulnerabilities at the convention: http://davesipaq.com/news/003947/iPAQ_WiFi_Security_DNC And a related article by Hiawatha Bray: http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2004/07/22/laptops_at_the_fleetcenter_at_risk_of_breaches_attack?mode=PF Here's the Democratic Party's response to all this fuss: http://www.dems2004.org/site/pp.asp?c=luI2LaPYG&b=99034 "In order to provide a safe and enjoyable Convention, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) has determined that the following items and / or class of items are prohibited within the 2004 Democratic National Convention site in Boston, MA on July 26 - 29..." That includes umbrellas, coolers, scissors, flashlights, tripods, unopened envelopes and (amazingly) "banners, signs, or placards." Unfortunately, the weather forecast for this week calls for rain on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. -Declan _______________________________________________ Politech mailing list Archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ Moderated by Declan McCullagh (http://www.mccullagh.org/)
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