funsec mailing list archives
RE: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention
From: "Larry Seltzer" <larry () larryseltzer com>
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 11:25:14 -0500
It certainly does seem fishy that the DHS would be monitoring University's
library check out logs.... They know everything! You have to be careful these days not to think the wrong thoughts. Larry Seltzer eWEEK.com Security Center Editor http://security.eweek.com/ http://blog.ziffdavis.com/seltzer Contributing Editor, PC Magazine larryseltzer () ziffdavis com -----Original Message----- From: funsec-bounces () linuxbox org [mailto:funsec-bounces () linuxbox org] On Behalf Of Blanchard, Michael (InfoSec) Sent: Monday, December 19, 2005 10:55 AM To: Richard M. Smith; funsec () linuxbox org Subject: RE: [funsec] 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention It certainly does seem fishy that the DHS would be monitoring University's library check out logs.... Isn't a university where people research things the most? If someone were to check out a "communist" book, wouldn't it most likely happen at a university? Also, why would the student be denied access to that book? This is STILL the USA and the constitution still applies.... If I want to read a book on why Ted Kennedy still wets his bed at night (must be all the booze), I should be able to without anyone bothering me or "officially" wondering why I'm reading such material. Heck, I'd wonder why I'd want to read about bed wetters, but what the heck it's probably better reading than the local paper :-) let us know what responses you get... Would be interesting to see. Michael P. Blanchard Antivirus / Security Engineer, CISSP, GCIH, MCSE, MCP+I Office of Information Security & Risk Management EMC ² Corporation 4400 Computer Dr. Westboro, MA 01580 email: Blanchard_Michael () EMC COM -----Original Message----- From: funsec-bounces () linuxbox org [mailto:funsec-bounces () linuxbox org] On Behalf Of Richard M. Smith Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2005 8:54 PM To: funsec () linuxbox org Subject: RE: [funsec] 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention The attached email to the writer of the story, the two profs, and the head of the Umass Dartmouth library should smoke out the truth. Richard From: Richard M. Smith [mailto:rms () computerbytesman com] Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2005 8:51 PM To: anicodemus () s-t com Cc: rbontbriand () umassd edu; bwilliams () umassd edu; asmith () umassd edu; lzieper () umassd edu; 'Richard M. Smith' Subject: Re: Agents' visit chills UMass Dartmouth senior Hi Aaron, Re: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-05/12-17-05/a09lo650.htm Slashdot picked up your story here: http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/05/12/17/2115239.shtml?tid=103&tid=158&tid=146&t id=219 However, after reading your story, I'm wonder if the DHS visit was some kind of hoax. For example, what exactly are "agents of the Department of Homeland Security"? Also what did the UMass Dartmouth library have to say about the allegation that they are cooperating with DHS by reporting on students who check out books on a DHS "watch list". Thanks, Richard M. Smith http://www.ComputerBytesMan.com -----Original Message----- From: Fergie [mailto:fergdawg () netzero net] Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2005 8:32 PM To: rms () computerbytesman com Cc: funsec () linuxbox org Subject: RE: [funsec] 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Good questions, all. We'll see -- the truth usually emerges in the end. ;-) - ferg -- "Richard M. Smith" <rms () computerbytesman com> wrote: I saw this Slashdot post and article also. The visit actually struck me as some sort of hoax. The only source for the story is the unnamed student. Some aspects of the story struck me as pretty odd. For example, I wonder what "DHS agents" are. And why didn't the writer check with the Umass library for their side of the story? Also does the UMass library system really require SSN's for checking out books between libraries? Richard -----Original Message----- From: funsec-bounces () linuxbox org [mailto:funsec-bounces () linuxbox org] On Behalf Of Fergie Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2005 6:44 PM To: funsec () linuxbox org Subject: [funsec] 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention ...and people wonder why the Patriot Act is dangerous? Thanks to a post over on Slashdot which alerted me to this article. Aaron Nicodemus writes on SouthCoastToday.com: [snip] A senior at UMass Dartmouth was visited by federal agents two months ago, after he requested a copy of Mao Tse-Tung's tome on Communism called "The Little Red Book." Two history professors at UMass Dartmouth, Brian Glyn Williams and Robert Pontbriand, said the student told them he requested the book through the UMass Dartmouth library's interlibrary loan program. The student, who was completing a research paper on Communism for Professor Pontbriand's class on fascism and totalitarianism, filled out a form for the request, leaving his name, address, phone number and Social Security number. He was later visited at his parents' home in New Bedford by two agents of the Department of Homeland Security, the professors said. The professors said the student was told by the agents that the book is on a "watch list," and that his background, which included significant time abroad, triggered them to investigate the student further. [snip] http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-05/12-17-05/a09lo650.htm - ferg {snip] _______________________________________________ Fun and Misc security discussion for OT posts. https://linuxbox.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/funsec Note: funsec is a public and open mailing list. _______________________________________________ Fun and Misc security discussion for OT posts. https://linuxbox.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/funsec Note: funsec is a public and open mailing list. _______________________________________________ Fun and Misc security discussion for OT posts. https://linuxbox.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/funsec Note: funsec is a public and open mailing list.
Current thread:
- RE: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention, (continued)
- RE: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Jason Geffner (Dec 18)
- Re: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Troy Solo (Dec 18)
- Re: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Dude VanWinkle (Dec 18)
- Re: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Troy Solo (Dec 18)
- RE: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Henderson, Dennis K. (Dec 19)
- RE: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Richard M. Smith (Dec 19)
- RE: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Nick FitzGerald (Dec 20)
- Re[2]: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Pierre Vandevenne (Dec 20)
- RE: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Drsolly (Dec 20)
- RE: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Richard M. Smith (Dec 19)
- RE: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Jason Geffner (Dec 18)
- RE: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Blanchard, Michael (InfoSec) (Dec 19)
- RE: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Blanchard, Michael (InfoSec) (Dec 19)
- RE: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Larry Seltzer (Dec 19)
- Re: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Valdis . Kletnieks (Dec 19)
- Re: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Drsolly (Dec 19)
- RE: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Richard M. Smith (Dec 19)
- Re[2]: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Pierre Vandevenne (Dec 19)
- Re[2]: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Drsolly (Dec 19)
- RE: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Drsolly (Dec 19)
- RE: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Richard M. Smith (Dec 19)
- Re[2]: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Pierre Vandevenne (Dec 19)
- Re[2]: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Drsolly (Dec 19)
- Re: 'Little Red Book' Draws Government's Attention Dude VanWinkle (Dec 19)