News: Here's what to watch in Washington
When the U.S. Congress reconvenes today after a month recess, let's remember what a New York judge said in 1866: "No man's life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session."

Sure, Judge Gideon Tucker may have exaggerated a trifle. But it's still a good rule to keep in mind as politicos use the anti-terrorism campaign and the Sept. 11 anniversary to inflate budgets, widen deficits, and hand police more eavesdropping powers.

One of politicians' favorite ways to grease the rails for such proposals is to use the appropriations process. That's how Congress enacted a law requiring schools and libraries to install filtering software and a law restricting online erotica. Because the federal government's fiscal year begins Oct. 1, and because not one of the 13 necessary appropriations bills has been signed into law, this is a likely vehicle as the deadline nears.

Another favorite underhanded tactic is to call votes on bills without telling members of Congress what's in them. And if a proposal is touted as an anti-terrorist bill, who dares vote against it?

President Bush has asked Congress to grant federal police hundreds of millions of dollars to build fatter databases, share more information, and conduct more surveillance. The Justice Department would receive a budget increase of $1.8 billion to a total of $30.2 billion, not counting $539.2 million it already received as part of an emergency spending package last year.

The FBI would receive $61.8 million and 201 more employees or contractors to support the agency's "surveillance capabilities to collect evidence and intelligence." That would permit the FBI to devote more resources than ever to controversial spy technologies like Carnivore, keyboard logging devices and Magic Lantern.

Another thing to look for
Rep. Howard Coble, R-N.C., chairman of the House committee overseeing copyright law, is planning to convene a hearing this month on a controversial bill that would permit peer-to-peer hacking. In a recent opinion article, Coble pledged to "conduct a hearing on the issue of piracy on peer-to-peer networks"--indicating he may be serious about enacting his bill this year.

Also sponsored by Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif., the proposal would permit copyright holders to perform nearly unchecked electronic disruptions if they have a "reasonable basis" to believe that piracy is taking place.
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1107-956272.html