Abstract There is a new technology of criminal activity which involves the use electronic means of communication in committing crimes. This paper looks in greater depth at some of these issues by examining the FBI Carnivore system, how it was developed, what its capacities are, and the problems civil libertarians and others see.
From the paper:
"It has a ferocious name. And its bark is in fact probably just about as bad as its bite. And while it certainly has the power to do good, the inherent costs may make it not worthwhile.
The FBI's Carnivore system is a tool used by this law enforcement agency to snare criminals who use electronic means of communication in committing their crimes, allowing this federal agency to collect and examine email and other electronic traffic sent and received by those suspected or accused of crimes ? along, of course, with the rest of us. While the crime-fighting capacities of such a capability can be seen to be substantial, it should also be clear that such a system has the ability (if improperly used) to cause substantial harm to the rights of the innocent because most people do not realize that their electronic correspondence can be seized and examined. An essential bedrock of the American legal system (and indeed of American culture) rests on the English common-law assumption that people have a basic right to privacy and that unless they should assume or know otherwise that they have a presumption of that privacy. Thus a person shouting on a public street has no reasonable expectation of privacy. A person sitting at her computer sending email to her mother does."
This paper investigates the facts surrounding the use of the FBI Internet program 'Carnivore' in obtaining communication and other incriminating evidence from possible terrorists and criminals.
Abstract The paper thoroughly examines the issues surrounding FBI's use of 'Carnivore' Internet Program in terms of the violation of personal privacy and freedom, its use as vital tool in hunting and apprehending criminals who use the Internet as a medium of communication, in particular after the events of September 11, 2001. The paper argues the government's ?Carnivore? program erodes our constitutional freedom for the majority of law-abiding citizens.
From the Paper "The events of September 11, 2001 are, at the least, unforgettable. That day will live in infamy as the point when the nation's false sense of security and personal safety within out country was shattered. The large jagged pieces are still being swept up within our lives, but the cracks in society ran deep, and are, I think, permanent. Out of the ashes of 9-11 have been borne many new approaches to terrorism and law enforcement in general. One such advance is the widespread use of a fairly new technology known publicly as "Carnivore". An Internet based tool, Carnivore, along with many other modern and tried-and-true methods, is used by the FBI to obtain information about possible suspects and even intercept incriminating evidence in a possible terrorist attack or other impending crime, all via the Internet. The upside of this technology is the possibility to reconnoiter suspects via the Internet by intercepting data from said suspect. The downside is unconditional snooping upon possibly non-criminal individuals either connected with or not connected with a suspect. Also known as invasion of privacy."
Abstract This paper explores an issue that has been raised recently and much argued in the media and courtroom of whether the government should be able to eavesdrop on communications online. The paper looks at recent use by the FBI of a computer monitoring program called "Carnivore" which enables monitors to analyze email for certain terms that might indicate criminal activity. The paper looks at the issue in terms of the individuals rights, general legislation issues and the needs of the government.
From the Paper "Data surveillance through the computer has created a system that increasingly menaces individual privacy. Computers had been employed first to store scientific and numerical information, or information that was already in the public domain but that had to be collected into one computerized source. However, computers were more and more being employed to collect sensitive information about the individual's personal life so that the individual was slowly losing control over his or her personal information. This problem of the danger of invasion of privacy has been foreseen for some time."
Abstract This paper explins that Carnivore gives law enforcement extraordinary power to intercept and analyze huge volumes of email. The author argues that there is a danger that this new procedure could violate the 4th amendment.
Abstract This paper looks at the history of privacy rights, such as the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Wiretap Acts, government computer surveillance systems such as Carnivore and ECHELON, the Patriot Act, terrorist uses of the Internet, and the effects of interest groups.
From the Paper "It is obvious that the September 11th attacks on America have reshaped the lives of the American people. These attacks shook up the American system and altered the lives of our people and the priorities of our government. As we watched the towers fall and the war on terrorism begin, the right to personal privacy was the last thing on the minds of American citizens, lost in a deluge of right, white, and blue patriotism. As time goes by and the impact of these events has begun to lessen, the concern over privacy and other rights has made a resurgence. Many Americans fear that in the months following the attacks we may have lost rights in the name of protecting our nation. Meanwhile, the government and a great number of American citizens fear that a second attack of similar proportions, or greater, could cause far worse problems for our nation. With this in mind, the government has taken an extremely aggressive stance on terrorism issues since the attacks. Following September 11th, the government has pushed anti-terrorism legislation through congress at an impressive pace. The piece of legislation with the greatest impact on America thus far is the Patriot Act of 2001. Prompted by fears of sleeper cells and terrorists living and operating amongst us, this act has changed the way the government is allowed to operate and what it is allowed to do in the name of protecting its people, but is all this really necessary? As this piece of legislation was quickly pushed through congress, many people fear that their rights may have been violated and innocent people have become subject of investigation in the name of stopping terrorists. There has been much talk of Americans living in fear of terrorism, but now that more than two years have gone by without another attack, is it our own loss of rights and privacy that we should be afraid of?"
Abstract This paper discusses the Venus Fly Trap, a rare carnivorous plant that feeds on living matter rather than through the process of photosynthesis like other plants. It examines specific aspects of the plant, such as its closing mechanism and evolutionary tree, and identifies the value of the plant to pharmaceuticals and health care and its adaptation to other geographical areas, such as the bottom of the sea.
From the Paper "In fact, it is becoming increasingly difficult to learn about the Venus flytrap in the wild due to decreasing numbers. According to Stiefel in "Meat-Eating Plants" in Science World (2000), the plants are solely found in the Savannah's of North and South Carolina in an approximate radius of only 60 to 75 miles. Measuring just 4 to 12 inches in height, they are often stolen by human predators to sell on the market for a couple of dollars. The heavy fines do not dissuade them: North Carolina now levies tickets of up to $2,000 for poaching the plant! Venus flytraps are a federal species of concern (FSC)--a species that may or may not be listed in the future. They are not endangered or threatened, but entitled to regulatory protection because their exploitation could get them to the endangered-threatened stage. In addition, around the world the natural wetland habitats of the all the carnivore plants have been systematically drained to erect shopping malls and housing developments. Almost 90 percent of carnivorous plants indigenous to the U.S. have been eradicated because only 3 to 5 percent of their swampy habitat still remains."
Abstract This paper analyzes whether it is ethical to violate standards of ethics for counterintelligence or national security purposes. It examines ethics which pertain to government and national security and illustrates how governments (specifically the United States government) use technology to collect counterintelligence data to maintain national security. The paper then briefly describes how governments wish to increase human identification technology.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Background and Significance
Counterintelligence Collection Through Invasion of Privacy
Carnivore Further Government Intrusion
Implementation of National Security through Identification
Conclusions
From the Paper "For example, there may be a case such as the latter where a terrorist who threatens national security is communicating with his counterparts and coordinating some kind of attack. Even if the use of Carnivore or a similar device or method of surveillance (such as whatever secret devices and methods the NSA uses) is somewhat unethical, it is justifiable and ethical to break standards of ethics, in this case the respect of privacy of a select number of people, in order to save lives. It is ethical because when one ethical law conflicts with another ethical law properly judged to be of greater consequence, the more important principle is intrinsically prevailing [6]. The problem here is the use of preemption in detecting terrorist activity. What is the basis for scrutinizing particular individuals? How can the government preemptively stakeout these criminals without infringing on the rights of harmless citizens? We must balance safety and security against rights, freedoms and ethics; the rights of individual citizens versus the fortification of the nation and the safety of the collective."
Abstract This paper examines the Venus Fly Trap, or the Dionaea muscipula, which was first found in the savannahs of the Carolinas and is classified in the division of Magnoliophyta, the class of Magnoliopsida, the order of Nepenthalesniales, and the family of Droseraceae. It describes its many interesting traits and characteristics, such as its physical makeup, its methods of capture and ingestion and the effect of fire on its growth. It also provides information on how to take care of a Venus Fly Trap in your own home.
From the Paper "The venus fly trap's most interesting feature is its process of feeding. The leaves of the plant are in fact traps for insects to fall into; the inside of the leaf is colored red and a scent is secreted, both of which attract insects to the plant. Also on the inside of the leaves are small hairs which sense the presence of something inside the trap. When the hairs are touched twice (two touches are necessary in order to avoid unnecessary closings from rain droplets and the like), the leaves close in on the insect inside. Once enclosed, the plant covers the insect in digestive fluid and breaks it down in order to absorb the nutrients contained in the insect."
Abstract This paper discusses the life history of the American mink, Mustela Vison. The paper explores the distribution of the mink within the state of Virginia. The ecological relationships are described. The paper assesses the conservation efforts taken, since mink populations have been reported as declining in Virginia.
From the Paper "Adult male minks have an overall length of 16 to 26 inches and weigh on average between 1.5 to 5 pounds, making them much larger than their European counterpart. Female adult minks are smaller than the males. The coloring of minks can vary naturally from deep brown to almost black, with a lighter abdomen, which may have white spotting. (?Mink ? Encyclopedia Americana?, 2004) They are primarily solitary animals, except during mating season, and are quite shy. The American mink are expert swimmers and divers, reportedly reaching 20 feet in dive depths, and have the ability to swim underwater for nearly 100 feet before having to come up for air. As twilight and nocturnal animals, they are mainly active from dusk to the early morning hours of dawn, however they can occasionally be seen active in the daytime."
Abstract This paper examines taphonomy, the branch of science that investigates the decomposition process of the human body. It encompasses the study of phenomena such as biostratinomy, decomposition, diagenesis, and epibiont encrustation. A definition of the term 'decomposition' describes the process whereby the body is reduced into simpler forms of matter. The paper explains that the process of decomposition is affected in varying degrees by a number of factors. These include the following aspects in the order of their commonly assumed importance with regard to the rate of the decomposition process: temperature, bacteria, access by insects, burial and depth of burial, access by carnivores or rodents, humidity or dryness, body size and weight, and clothing.
From the Paper "Rigor Mortis sets in within four hours of death. This is caused by the lack of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which provides the energy required for muscle contraction and relaxation. ((McLemore, J. 1993) Rigor Mortis is essentially the state that the dead body achieves when the oxygen supply to the muscles ceases. However, the cells within the body continue with anaerobic respiration. The result of this process is the production of lactic acid which causes stiffening of the muscles in Rigor Mortis. After 36 hours, depending on temperature and various other variables and circumstances, rigor mortis ceases. (Decomposition) At this time the cells in the body die and various enzymes are released which precipitate the process of decomposition."
Abstract This paper explains that Heracles, which means glory of Hera, is best known as the strongest of all mortals and considered as a super hero and the deciding factor in allowing the Olympian gods to win their battle with the giants. The author points out that Heracles was the last mortal son of Zeus and the only man born of mortal woman to become a god upon his death. The paper relates that Heracles was renowned for making the world safe for man by destroying many dangerous monsters; his self-sacrifice obtained the ascent to the Olympian realms, welcomed by the gods.
Table of Contents
The Twelve Labors of Heracles for King Eurystheus
The Traditional Order of the Twelve Labors
Kill the Lion of Nemea
Kill the Nine Headed Hydra
Capture the Erymanthian Boar
Capture the Cerynian Hind
Clean the Augean Stables in One Day
Kill the carnivorous birds of Stymphalis
Capture the Wild Bull of Crete
Steal the Mares of Diomedes
Obtain the Girdle of Hippolyte
Obtain the Cattle of Geryon
Steal the Golden Apples of the Hesperides
Capture Cerberus
Heracles Good and Evil Character
Heracles Marriage Life, Sex Life and Death
Heracles Male Lovers
From the Paper "Heracles first task that he must performed for King Eurythus is to put to death the mighty Lion of Nemea. Heracles used his bow and arrow to kill the Lion of Nemea. Apparently the arrows just bounced off the lion's coat. Heracles had no choice but to fight the monster with his bare hands. The fight was so violent. Heracles had his little finger bitten off but this only made him angrier and stronger. He grasped the lion tightly around the neck and squeezed. The lion choked to death. After the lion death Heracles skinned the lion and wears the skin for protection."
Abstract The hunting strategies of the African wild dog were behavior once shrouded in inaccurate myth. The dogs were formerly considered among the roughest and meanest species on the African savanna and bushland. The paper shows that they were noted for driving out all other species in their regions, for mutilating their victims beyond recognition, as well as for consuming their own kind who had fallen prey to illness or exhaustion. The paper shows, however, that researchers have recently taken a closer look at the animals' morphological, physiological and adaptive characteristics, their methods of locating prey, as well as their prey-capture techniques and food allocation practices. New studies have presented a wildly different version of the African wild dog.
From the Paper "According to recent research, the prime habitat for wild dogs is not the open, grassy plains but rather the woodland-savanna areas which support larger populations of prey due to the interspersion of seasonally-flooded grasslands in these areas. The animals' diet consists largely of impala (80-85%), with the remaining percentage distributed among red lechwe, reedbuck, steenbok (antelope types), and the juveniles of kudu, buffalo, tsessebe, zebra and wildebeest. Most of these animals are nearly ten times the weight of the average hunting dog. They are also common in the regions where wild dogs exist, so that locating their prey is not often difficult."
Abstract This paper describes various aspects of the American alligator including the regions it inhabits, the type of climate it favors, its primary habitat and its origins. It also looks discusses the threat posed to alligators by humans and what the government has done to try to protect them from extinction.
From the Paper "The American alligator is a cold-blooded member of the reptile family. The American alligator got its name from Spanish explorers who named it "el largarto," which means "the lizard." Since the body temperature of the alligator is the same as the temperature around it, the American alligator lives only in the southeastern states of America. Since that's in the vicinity of the Mississippi, the American alligator's scientific name is alligator mississippiensis, although the highest populations of alligators are found in Florida and Louisiana. In Florida, alligators are found in almost every body of water, with the highest concentrations being in the Central and South regions. Prime alligator habitats are swamps, marshes, lakes, and drainage canals. Alligators prefer a climate that is warm, wet, light and cool, and always stay near their body of water. The American alligator prefers fresh water to salt water."
Abstract This paper examines the intensely personal nature of Yann Martel's "Life of Pi" and how the complex subject of religion is presented in a fashion that is non-judgmental, charitable and insightful. The author points out that the book is compelling and powerful because the fictionalized author of the tale talks about his own life and struggles while, at the same time, shrouding so many things in suspenseful mystery. The paper suggests that the story uses the theme of religion to capture the human yearning for something better than everyday life with its frequent occurrences of human bestiality. The paper also stresses that Martel's lucid prose, crisp plot and strong dialogue support his central message about faith and why faith truly matters.
From the Paper "The other great struggle that unfolds in the second part of the book, as it turns out, is the struggle to maintain his humanity in the face of butchery. The cook (the Hyena) who kills the young soldier (the terribly wounded Zebra with the mangled leg) is a horrid being who torments the dying soldier in much the same way as the Hyena torments the wounded Zebra by eating it alive. Faced with such evil, the violent death of his mother, and overcome by desperation and hunger, Pi Patel turns on the cook (becoming Richard Parker, the Bengal Tiger), killing him brutally with a knife and then eating the corpulent fellow for his own satiation."
