Criminal Justice USA

10 Incredible Safety Features on Obama’s Limo

Posted by Site Administrator on 04/29/2009 | 0 Comments

By Megan Jones

From inauguration day to current outings in DC and around the nation, the limo in which President Obama rides is, by all speculation, the one of the safest vehicles ever made. Obama’s limo is made by Cadillac, a company with a history of providing secure vehicles to United States presidents that began with Woodrow Wilson in 1919 as he was driven down streets of Boston during a WWI victory parade. Since then, the company has served nine other presidents, providing safe, secure transportation. While the official word from the Secret Service is that the specifics of the car cannot be discussed, they do say that the public can rest assured that the, "car’s security and coded communications systems make it the most technologically advanced protection vehicle in the world.” Despite the necessary secrecy, there are several security features that have been around since the car’s debut or are speculated to be part of the vehicle by experts in the field.

1. Windows. The windows on Obama’s limo are reportedly 5 to 6 inches thick, bomb-proof, and can withstand armor-piercing bullets. Compared to previous versions of the presidential limos, this newer model has more window space providing better outward visibility. The driver’s window is the only window that opens, at only 2.75 inches, so the driver can speak with secret service agents outside the vehicle.
2. Doors. The doors, which were seen both in photos of the vehicle leaked prior to Inauguration Day and afterwards on the finished product, are armour-plated and 8 inches thick–three inches thicker than President Bush’s limo doors. These doors are the same weight as a Boeing 757 cabin door. An additional safety feature includes steel overlaps between the seams to protect against bullets entering in the space between the doors and body.
3. Passenger section. The area in which Obama and any of his approved guests ride is a space of both security and luxury. This section generously seats four and includes a glass partition that can only be opened by President Obama as well as a panic button for summoning help. While riding in the limo, Obama can still work and stay connected safely on his fold-away desktop that includes a laptop with secure Wi-Fi capabilities and a satellite phone with a direct line to the Pentagon and the Vice President.
4. Interior: The interior of Obama’s limo is rumored to be completely sealed in case of a chemical attack. Another safety feature that may possibly be included on the car is a lock-safety mechanism that, in case of emergency, seals off the entire car similar to how a bank vault can be locked during a robbery.
5. Driver. Obama’s driver is not just a regular chauffeur, but a CIA agent specially-trained for situations ranging from driving during challenging situations to regular types of mechanical break-downs as well as how to handle any emergency that may come up. The driver also has access to helpful equipment such as a communications system and GPS unit in his compartment. Think you’d have what it takes to be a presidential driver? Find out what President Clinton’s former driver says about his experience working as the official presidential driver.
6. Fuel Tank. The limo’s fuel tank is armour-plated to help repel bullets. As a second line of defense, similar to what race cars use, the fuel tank on Obama’s limo is filled with a special foam that prevents it from exploding even if it sustains a direct hit.
7. Defense equipment. James Bond isn’t the only one who may need a car to provide defense. In case Obama comes under attack while riding in his limo, there are several pieces of defense equipment rumored to be on board. Night-vision cameras, pump-action shotguns, and tear-gas cannons are among some of those weapons speculated to be included. If Obama is injured during an attack while in the car, there are supposedly bottles of the president’s blood in case he needs emergency transfusions. Additionally, the trunk houses an emergency oxygen supply and firefighting equipment.
8. Tires. To protect President Obama from bullets, spike strips, or any other device aimed at disabling the car’s Goodyear tires, the limo is likely equipped with specially designed, Kevlar-reinforced, shred and puncture-resistant tires. If indeed someone or something was able to destroy the tires, the car also has steel rims and a run-flat device so that if the tires are disabled, the car can still drive at high speeds to escape any imminent danger.
9. Chassis. The car, commonly known as Cadillac One, but nicknamed by the Secret Service as The Beast, is thought to be based on a Cadillac DTS when it comes to style, but may be built on a truck chassis in order to support the weight of the car and all its special equipment. There is also speculated to be a reinforced, 5-inch steel plate that runs underneath the car in the event that a bomb is placed there.
10. Body. To fend off anything from bullets to rocks, the body of the car is probably composed of a mixture of hard and soft material that work to halt and dissipate the energy of the projectile so that no matter what type of projectile may be hurled toward the car, the outside protection will not be penetrated. Typical materials used for these types of cars are a combination of dual-hardness steel, aluminum, titanium, and ceramic.

50 Useful Open Courseware Links for Private Eyes & Digital Snoops

Posted by Site Administrator on 02/24/2009 | 0 Comments

Whether you’re a detective or a wannabe cyber security expert, there are all kinds of educational resources available online that will help you learn about data and network systems, computer vulnerabilities, the culture of information technology, and even the psychology of criminals. These open courseware links will connect you to engaging lectures, reading assignments and outlines from some of the top universities in the country, and it’s all for free.

Data and IT

Understand the design of data and network systems and information technology structures before attempting to monitor or troubleshoot any vulnerabilities.

1. An Introduction to Data and Information: Learn how data is stored and shared on computers and online. [The Open University]
2. ICTs in everyday life: Learn about networks and how everyone online is seemingly connected in this course. [The Open University]
3. Principles of Wireless Communications: Understand the make-up of wireless systems before trying to decode it. [MIT]
4. Pervasive Human Centric Computing: Here, students have the opportunity to learn about the programs and systems of GPS, iPhones and more. [MIT]
5. Representing and manipulating data in computers: Here you will learn about representing numbers, representing images, representing sound and more. [The Open University]
6. Computer Networks: Discover the vulnerabilities of network design in this course. [MIT]
7. The Database Development Life Cycle: Become an expert at manipulating, creating, troubleshooting and maintaining databases. [The Open University]
8. Data and Processes in Computing: Learn about different types of data and data structures in this course. [The Open University]

Technology and Society

By gaining insight into how humans interact with technology, you’ll be able to anticipate criminal behavior or at least be able to understand your cases a little bit better.

9. Technology in American Society: Understand how technology systems have helped American culture and American business prosper and fail. [MIT]
10. Social Theory and Analysis: This course covers social theory from the 19th century to the present and wonders how and why social institutions respond to technology. [MIT]
11. Technology and Gender in American History: Learn how men and women respond differently to technology in this course. [MIT]
12. Social and Political Implications of Technology: This course uncovers "how technological devices, structures, and systems influence the organization of society and the behavior of its members." [MIT]
13. Race and Science: Consider how race and identity have changed over time, especially in response to new inequalities in technology. [MIT]

U.S. Law and Policy

Make sure you’re well versed in the law, especially as it relates to privacy and technology, before doing something illegal yourself.

14. Law and Society: Here you will be challenged to discover law as a social institution and as a feature of pop culture, as well as how society relates to law in all aspects of everyday life. [MIT]
15. Justice: In Justice, students consider "the place of values of liberty and equality in" a just society. [MIT]
16. The Supreme Court, Civil Liberties and Civil Rights: Study constitutional law, race relations and Americans’ right to the protection of their civil liberties here. [MIT]
17. Ethics and the Law on the Electronic Frontier: Learn about the relationships between law, ethics and technology. [MIT]
18. American National Security Policy: Make sure you understand the ins and outs of American national security policy, including how threats are interpreted and whether or not allegiances with other countries should be pursued. [MIT]
19. Reading Seminar in Social Science: Intelligence and National Security: Learn about counterintelligence, the relationship between U.S. intelligence organizations and national security offices, and more. [MIT]
20. Ethics Part I and Ethics Part II: This course addresses the history of ethics, as well as moral behavior and modern theories. [Western Governors University]
21. Introduction to Copyright Law: Learn all about copyright law here, if property and copyright are what you’re snooping for. [MIT]
22. U.S. Social Policy: Try to gain a sense of how and why some social policies and citizens are favored and why others are completely abandoned in this course. [MIT]
23. Property Rights in Transition: Property rights is a complex issue, and this course can help you understand the intricacies of all types of property rights. [MIT]

Sociology and Criminal Psychology

Learn about crime psychology and general sociology to gain an edge over your perpetrator.

24. Ambient Intelligence: Better understand how humans react to computers and intelligent interfaces everyday. [MIT]
25. Identity and Difference: Consider the idea of identity, including how it is formed and how it evolves [MIT]
26. American Dream: Exploring Class in the U.S.: Use your understanding of social class psychology when tracking a case. [MIT]
27. Culture, Embodiment and the Senses: This class may help you to determine a person’s ability to choose between right and wrong. [MIT]
28. Ethnic and National Identity: Explore the factors that shape national identity and ethnic or racial identity. [MIT]
29. Social Psychology: Self and Society: Lessons in this course include Conformity, Stereotypes, and Roles and Identity. [UC Berkeley]
30. Making and using rules: Consider practical application and psychological response to rules in this course. [The Open University]
31. Introduction to Psychology: The basics of psychology are taught in this class, including consciousness, self and society, cognitive behaviors and more. [MIT]
32. Technology and Culture: Discover the relationship between technology and culture in all types of historical and social environments. [MIT]
33. Gender, Sexuality and Society: This course explores sexual identity and gender roles. [MIT]

Terrorism and Public Safety

These public safety courses will prepare you for major cases.

34. Terrorism, Peace and Other Inconsistencies: This course asks students to question the rationale for contemporary terrorism and the relationship between al-Qaeda terror philosophies and the general conflicts between the Middle East and the Western world. [Notre Dame]
35. Case Studies in Terrorism Response: As a cyberterrorism detective, you probably won’t be a first responder in a terrorism scare, but you will still learn valuable skills in anticipating terrorism scenarios and handling evidence immediately after an attack. [Johns Hopkins]

Miscellaneous Law

For more law-related issues regarding technology, turn here.

36. Privacy rights and the law: This class is taught with a UK slant, but it still poses interesting questions about privacy rights. [The Open University]
37. Company Law in Context: Consider how business laws and business organizations can be unclear to employees. [The Open University]
38. Introduction to Security: Learn the fundamentals of security, loss control and crime prevention. [Weber State University]
39. Ethical Practice: Professionalism, Social Responsibility and the Purpose of the Corporation: If you’re investigating a business or organization, take this course to understand their ethical standards. [MIT]
40. International Law: In cases that span countries, use this class as a reference point to learn about human rights, international resource management, the European Union and more. [Professional Educational Organization International]

Computer Science and Information Security

This list will help you understand the basics of computer science, cryptography, digital worlds and information security.

41. Computers and computer systems: This introductory computer science class will teach you about processors, memory, digital cameras and representing data on a computer. [The Open University]
42. Crossing the boundary — analogue universe, digital worlds: Understand what divides our analogue world versus "the binary world of digital entities." Lessons include "The pervasive computer" and "Manipulation." [The Open University]
43. An introduction to information security: This course introduces students to the concepts and practices of information security. [The Open University]
44. Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs: Students will learn the basics of computer structures and computer programming here. [MIT]
45. Computation Structures: This course teaches the fundamentals of software and hardware design. [MIT]
46. Network Security: Here you will learn the terminology, abbreviations and security measures related to protecting networks. [The Open University]
47. Advanced Topics on Cryptography: Practice zero-knowledge proofs of knowledge, non-interactive zero-knowledge proofs and other types of proofs in this course, which also teaches two-party secure computation and other concepts. [MIT]
48. Cryptography and Cryptanalysis: Students get introduced to modern cryptography and encryption in this course. [MIT]
49. Principles of Digital Communications I: Understand the differences and relationships between different digital communications systems in this course. [MIT]
50. Reflections on Secret Intelligence: Sir David Omand KCB offers up his thoughts on what now dictates cyberterrorism, homeland security, the future of intelligence, and more. [Gresham College].

Private Eye Reading: The Top 50 Detective Blogs

Posted by Site Administrator on 01/22/2009 | 0 Comments

By Kelsey Allen

True crime stories have intrigued the masses for as long as crime has been around. Whether people want to understand the psychology behind the crime, are just curious to get the gossip, or, like a puzzle, want to figure out the details to solve the crime, the desire to get the scoop is a strong one. These sites bring the detectives and their work to you through the the writings on their blogs. Whether you want to read about detectives on the police force, private eyes, British detectives, true crime, or even a little bit about fictional detectives, these blogs will provide you with hours of crime and criminals.

On the Force

These blogs are written by members of the police force who can share first-hand experience of crime and investigation.

1. Cerberus at the gate. Newly retired, this detective shares his life experiences and offers plenty of valuable information to anyone stopping by for a read.
2. View from the cop. This retired policeman blogs about community watch issues, the criminals, and the police who catch them.
3. LAPD Blog. While not just focusing on detectives, this blog does read like a script from Law & Order with detailed descriptions of crimes occurring in LA.
4. Detective Shaved Longcock. Despite the title that sounds more pornographic than law enforcement, this blog features news and funny posts relating to police work.
5. The Philosophical Cop Police Blog. This police officer has worked on the force for ten years and has experience in many different departments. His blog offers stories, advice, and he also enjoys answering "Ask a Cop" questions.
6. The Johnny Law Chronicles. This popular and hard-hitting blog brings plenty of information, news, and opinion about being an officer.

In Business for Themselves

These blogs are all written by private investigators who currently practice. Their backgrounds are varied, with ex-police, lawyers, and more writing about their detective work.

7. Crime, Guns, and Videotape. Written by an ex-detective from Chicago and currently working as a private investigator, this detective writes about police work, personal security, and politics.
8. The Investigator’s Notebook. This real-life PI in Dallas, TX blogs about a wide variety of topics including politics, interesting found items, and what he goes through in the course of his work.
9. Jan B. Tucker: Private Investigator & Political Activist. This popular private eye blogs about politics in Los Angeles and the nation as well as his life.
10. HI-CALIBER Private Investigations. This blog relates real crimes and analyzes what happened and what can be done if you are ever in a similar situation.
11. El Scott Harrell. Ex-Navy intelligence, this private investigator is one of three in the country that is qualified to develop training programs. His blog features PI news and information, and is peppered with jokes that may leave some feeling uncomfortable.
12. Sneaky Private Investigators Blog. Find private eye tips on everything from screening nannies to employment history usage.
13. Sherlock’s Case Files. This real-life Sherlock provides information, news, and even asks readers to help with ongoing cases from time to time.
14. Private Investigator Stories. Posts here are written by guests who share their stories, news, or interesting information for PIs or those interested in the subject.
15. The Candid Private Investigator. Specializing in public record research, this blog covers lots of topics related to privacy and personal protection.
16. Private Investigators – PInow.com. PInow.com specializes in finding PIs for hire around the world, and their blog offers plenty of PI news that may be of interest to anyone considering hiring a PI or interested in PIs in the news.
17. Private Investigator Hints, Tricks, and Tips. Private investigators or PI wannabes will enjoy all the helpful information on this blog, despite the infrequent postings.
18. PIBuzz.com. The "official" blog of PI Magazine, this blog offers useful information for investigators and interested parties alike.
19. Private Eye Confidential. This private investigator from California blogs about such interesting topics as Facebook as an investigation tool and surveillance success.
20. Sting Investigations – Private Investigative Issues. From promoting fellow private investigators to sharing PI-related news stories to motivational posts, this blog covers it all.
21. PrivateSpy.net. With plenty of stories about privacy violations around the world, this blog will open your eyes to ways you should protect yourself.
22. New Hampshires Best – Nickels Private Investigations. From stalking to white collar crime, this blog informs readers on the latest happenings in the legal and PI worlds.

British Detectives

Home of Scotland Yard, the most famous murderer of all time–Jack the Ripper, and such famous fictional detectives as Sherlock Holmes and the anything-but-dotty Miss Marple, Great Britain is the home to great detective stories both real and fictional. These blogs bring the best of real British detectives to life.

23. The Policeman’s Blog. With both Canadian and British bloggers here, you can read about crime outside the US from the policeman’s perspective.
24. Police Inspector Blog. This ex-British Army soldier is now a police inspector in the rural English countryside and writes about his experiences.
25. PC Bloggs – a Twenty-first Century Police Officer. This British policewoman and published author shares what its like to work on the force.
26. Nightjack – An English Detective. Get a feel for what it’s like to be a detective on the British police force with these insightful posts about the life of a detective.
27. De-tec-tive. This detective from the UK offers a view of the work, politics, and more involved in detecting on the police force.
28. The Thin Blue Line. Moving from a new officer to detective, this blogger shares what it’s like on the force.
29. Intelligence Detective. This detective doesn’t hold back on his realistic description and editorials of life as a detective.
30. CSI: UK. Claiming no resemblance to the popular American TV show, this CSI in the UK blogs about the real deal.
31. Panda Tales. This real-life constable shares his experiences on the beat.
32. The Twining Chronicles – A British Police News Feed. A black police sergeant, Twining blogs about race and policing in an honest and direct manner that is worth having on your blogroll.

You Be the Detective

These blogs let you play detective–or at least feel like you were on the scene–with reports and analyses of true crimes.

33. Crime Scene Blog. Read about crimes occurring in the San Gabriel Valley at this blog run by the SGV Tribune.
34. South Bay Crimes & Courts. Get the latest in crime news from the South Bay area and even help solve a few when the posts ask for reader help.
35. Bonnie’s Blog of Crime. This blogger posts crime stories, some of which are closed, but most are open and ready for readers to offer any help they can with missing persons and similar incidents.
36. In Cold Blog. The writers on this blog are all professionals–writers, lawyers, journalists–and share true crime stories that are still under investigation or playing out in the courts.
37. The Crime Scene. Find out from the OC Register what kind of crime is taking place in the Orange County area.
38. The Criminal Report Daily. Get a daily dose of true crime cases with this blog written by David Lohr.
39. Bizarre Crime of the Week Report. From scorned wives to death by initiation rituals for a hate group, you’ll find plenty of strange crimes here each week.
40. The Malefactor’s Register. Read about true crimes from the early 1900’s to present day in this well-done blog.

Detectives on Paper

While many believe that truth is stranger than fiction, fiction certainly does keep its readers entertained. The following blogs are about fictional detectives, crime stories, and murder mysteries.

41. The Thrilling Detective Blog. This bookseller writes about a wide variety of detective literature and writers from pregnant PIs to crime comics.
42. If You Want to Know About My Life…. Gerald So blogs about crime, detectives, and mystery fiction as well as a bit about his life as a writer of such.
43. Detectives Beyond Borders. This international detective fiction blog covers fiction from around the world with a focus on detectives and crime.
44. The Rap Sheet. Take a look at the best in crime fiction at this blog that also offers a "best of" contest at the end of each year.
45. Secret Dead Blog. Crime comics, pulp fiction, and news of the fiction crime world all get equal parts in this blog written by Duane Swierczynski.
46. Guns in the Gutters. Written by a professional comic book and short fiction writer, this blog discusses graphic novels and comics that have a focus on crime, criminal, and those who investigate it all.
47. These Aye Mean Streets. Russel McLean, popular private eye writer, blogs about himself and the world of detective fiction.
48. The Crime Time Cafe. Describing himself as both a published writer and a Christian, this blog covers both crime and Christianity.
49. L.A. Noir. Not only does this blog cover the world of crime fiction, it also includes a bit of real-life crime happening in L.A.
50. Murderati. This collaborative blog is written by 12 murder and mystery writers and covers crime, fiction, publishing, and the life of a writer.

Top 50 Internet & Digital Law Blogs

Posted by Site Administrator on 11/25/2008 | 0 Comments

Whether you’re an independent blogger, you own your own business or are just interested in the new cases and legislations surrounding Internet and new media, you’ll want your research to come from quality, authoritative sources. The following list features blogs from law schools like Stanford and Harvard, as well as lawyers and law firms across the country, all on a mission to help the public learn more about Internet and digital law.

Academic Blogs

Here you can find advice and updates from Harvard Law School, Stanford and The John Marshall Law School.

1. Berkman Center for Internet and Society: Harvard’s law blog focuses on Internet trends and how law restricts or fosters new development.
2. Stanford Center for Internet and Society: Stanford Law School’s blog often discusses copyright cases, intellectual property and the Fair Use Project.
3. Law Blog: Professor David Sorkin at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago blogs about cyberlaw, copyright and more.
4. Lessig: Lawrence Lessig writes about politics, Internet culture and copyright infringement.
5. Colette Vogele’s Blog: Lawyer Colette Vogele blogs through Stanford Law School’s site about new media, blogging, privacy and more.
6. Media Law Prof Blog: LSU Associate Professor of Law Christine A. Corcos blogs about virtual worlds, broadcast law and new media.

Copyright, Intellectual Property and Defamation

For information about copyright infringement, intellectual property in the digital age and more, turn to this list.

7. California Defamation Law Blog: Learn how to credit third-party content, online speech and more.
8. IP::JUR: This European blog is written by a patent attorney and often comments on computer, technology and Internet-related cases.
9. Info/Law: A blog about "the law of information," Info/Law focuses on intellectual property, new technology and how it all fits in to Internet culture.
10. The Trademark Blog: From spam to social networks to trademark cases, this blog covers it all.
11. Internet Law – Copyright Law: This Italy-based, English-language blog discusses cases, lawsuits and European Internet law issues.

New Media and Digital Law

These bloggers are on the cutting edge in their discussion about new media and the law.

12. Stephen Wu’s 3D Internet Law Blog: This blog posts relevant articles and analysis "for the age of the 3D Internet."
13. Virtually Blind: This blog is all about law and the virtual world, including SecondLife and World of Warcraft.
14. Broadcast Law Blog: Learn about the law and business of digital TV and online radio here.
15. New Media and Technology Law Blog: Read about trends and cases regarding search engines, open source, e-mail contracts and more.
16. Silicon Valley Media Law Blog: Cathy Kirkman writes about e-commerce, technology and new media law.
17. Digital Media Law: From Hollywood and entertainment digital law to "the business of digital law," this blog discusses it all.
18. Laurence Kaye on Digital Media Law: Learn about "the future of digital media law" from this blog.
19. DigitalMediaLawyer.com: Here you’ll find posts and discussions about digital media law theory and specific cases.

Blogs from Firms and Lawyers

Law firms and lawyers are sharing their expertise and inside information with the public through the following blogs.

20. Internet Lawyer: The Law Offices of Bernard C. Dietz, PC manage this blog and share news and information about lawsuits, legislation and cases that are relevant to Internet law.
21. Digestible Law: Perkins Coie hosts an "Internet case digest" and posts about everything from freedom of expression to creating ads online.
22. The Computer and Internet Law Blog: Henry Chiu, an intellectual property and business litigation and transactions lawyer blogs on everything from employer Internet use policies to privacy issues to copyright infringement to online gaming property.
23. Technology, eBusiness and Digital Media Law Blog: This blog, from the firm Davis Wright Tremaine, reports on cases from plagiarism and copyright infringement to lawsuits involving Google.
24. Internet Law Attorney Blog: Lawyer Erik Syverson blogs about cases involving Craigslist, online pharmacies, and even Barbie.
25. Chicago IP Litigation Blog: Lawyer R. David Donoghue reports on the IP cases of northern Illinois.
26. Ernie the Attorney: New Orleans attorney and professor "Ernie" writes about new technologies and legal issues.

Privacy and Security

This list features blogs that cover the law in regards to online privacy and security.

27. RSA Conference 365: This blog is "where the world talks security," and cybersecurity and Internet law receive a lot of attention.
28. LawEddie: LawEddie frequently posts about identity theft, privacy issues and more.
29. Privacy and Security Law Blog: Learn about malware, identity theft and safety online in this blog.
30. Privacy Law Blog: From the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act to electronic voting to e-mail and the invasion of privacy, this blog is great for learning about online privacy cases and legislation.
31. Privacy Spot: Learn all about data protection and privacy laws here.
32. UsefulArts.us: UsefulArts covers stories about trademark, copyright and privacy online.
33. Privacy Digest: Check out Privacy Digest for updates on data privacy and network privacy.

News and Business

For the latest news and business information from the Internet law sector, turn to this list.

34. Gahtan’s Technology and Internet Law Blog: This Toronto-based information technology and e-commerce lawyer blogs about new Internet and mobile products, lawsuits, and online privacy and security.
35. Technology and Marketing Law Blog by Eric Goldman: Goldman reports on major Internet law cases that concern privacy rights, fraud and more.
36. Dozier Internet Law, PC: This entrepreneur and "Super Lawyer" writes "pro-business" posts about domain name cases, Google, lawsuits, and even political stories that affect the way we use the Internet.
37. DennisKennedy: Besides sharing blogging and technology tips for lawyers, Dennis Kennedy writes about law 2.0, intellectual property and more.
38. Be Spacific: This news and technology blog reports on legislation, e-government and online security.
39. The Lawyers for Internet Business: If you have your own Internet business or just want to learn more about online business and marketing culture, read this blog.
40. New York Small Business Law: While this blog donates attention to many aspects of small business culture and law, its writer likes to focus on online businesses "and social world."
41. Technology and Business Law Blog: Silicon Valley lawyer Sujatha Ganesan writes about cybercrime and cyberlaw, social networks, information law and a lot more.
42. Business and Technology Law Blog: Learn how e-commerce, open source and new technologies affect business law.
43. Law X.0: Lawyers wanting to stay current on social media sites, homeland security and other Internet tools can turn to this blog.

Miscellaneous

This final list features blogs about Internet law and politics, podcasts and more.

44. Politech: This blog writes about how and where politics and technology intersect, often discussing legislation, e-government and more.
45. The Internet Law Blog: This blog follows the business of the Internet, as well as anti-spam laws and privacy rights.
46. Internet Cases: This three-year-old blog covers all aspects of Internet law, from podcasts to cybersquatting to spyware to patents.
47. IBLS Speaker’s Corner: This community blog focuses on global technology issues, including e-commerce law, online privacy and online security.
48. The Legal Satyricon: Read about politics, Internet law, law and technology and more "irreverent thoughts" and commentary.
49. Jim Calloway’s Law Practice Tips Blog: Lawyers and other professionals who blog or have businesses online can learn legal, safe tips for working online.
50. Madisonian: Here you’ll learn all about online culture, cyberlaw, and law and technology.

Top 50 Homeland Security Blogs

Posted by Site Administrator on 11/10/2008 | 0 Comments

While homeland security isn’t the same buzzword is was several years ago, it is still an important element and oft-discussed topic of American politics. From immigration laws to cyber-security to emergency preparedness to foreign policy, these blogs will bring you the latest discussions and research taking place with homeland security experts and novices alike. These blogs represent the government, researchers, professionals in the field, and every-day citizens and their offerings on the ever-evolving and important topic of homeland security.

Government Blogs

From the Department of Homeland Security to the US military, these blogs offer an official viewpoint on homeland security.

1. Leadership Journal. This government-sponsored blog from the Department of Homeland Security discusses several topics relevant to homeland security, including emergency preparedness, immigration law enforcement, and promoting economic prosperity.
2. In Homeland Security. This non-partisan and non-commercial blog is sponsored by the American Military University and delivers news and analysis of issues relating to homeland security such as military intelligence, law enforcement, border security, and more.
3. Homeland Security Digital Library Weblog On the Homefront. Get everything from FBI hate crime statistics to CSIS documents to the new EPA water security guidance documents on this blog that incorporates several different blogs for a depth of coverage.
4. DefenseTech. The blog from Military.com, posts here cover a wide range of topics, most of which pertain to issues of homeland security.
5. U.S. Fire Administration Blog. The goal of this blog is to promote and discuss issues surrounding preparedness and response to fire emergencies. The topics in this blog will often relate to homeland security through these preparedness and response issues.
6. Homeland Security Affairs. Actually an online journal, this publication by the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security is updated every month with articles designed to create discussion on homeland security issues to better strengthen defense.
7. Evolution of Security. This blog of the Transportation Security Administration provides information on security and technology in the face of evolving terrorist threat.
8. US-CERT. This site run by the US Computer Emergency Readiness Team provides frequent updates of the most important security incidents affecting cyber and national security.

Blogs by Strategists, Theorists, and Analysts

Read these blogs to find out what experts in the field have to say about homeland security and the issues surrounding it.

9. Stephenson blogs on homeland security 2.0 et al.. Written by the well-known strategist and theorist, W. David Stephenson, this blog includes strategies everyone should become aware of and topics of technology and civil liberty issues in relation to homeland security.
10. Homeland Security Leader. Written by another well-known strategist, John Taylor, this blog serves as a news aggregator for homeland security information coming from DHS, Military.com, CNN.com, and other sources.
11. Schneier on Security. This security expert blogs on all types of security issues, but frequently posts about homeland security in particular.
12. Open Target. Focusing on discussion points on homeland security, this security expert posts on a variety of pertinent issues.
13. Security Debrief. This collaborative blog features posts written by experts with backgrounds in "high-level government and policy expertise to in-the-field veterans of national security matters."
14. Democracy Arsenal. This collaborative blog focuses on foreign policy with many posts discussing homeland security issues. Contributors include several renowned foreign policy experts.
15. The Michael Brown Blog. This former director from the DHS writes an interesting and entertaining blog on a variety of issues–all of which will have you thinking, no matter if you see eye-to-eye or not.
16. Global Guerrillas. This former USAF pilot and current analyst on warfare and security writes on resilient communities and potential crises in his blog.
17. Hometown Security. With an emphasis on emergency preparedness, this blog written by a Senior Fellow at the National Institute for Strategic Preparedness offers news, advice, opinions, and more on homeland security.
18. In General Counsel. This legal analyst discusses the "regular and irregular news and commentary about the legal implications of homeland security" on this blog.
19. Thomas P.M. Barnett :: Weblog. This strategic planner for national security affairs blogs on global and domestic issues that pertain to national security.

Academic and Research Blogs

From professors to researchers, these blogs offer the latest discoveries, advice, and opinions on homeland security.

20. Gregory S. McNeal. This law professor writes about homeland security issues with an emphasis on the legal aspects in his blog.
21. Home Station. From the Integrative Center for Homeland Security at Texas A&M University, this blog discusses timely issues surrounding homeland security as the organization works to find ways to provide education, research, and outreach on these issues.
22. Secrecy News. Sponsored by the Federation of American Scientists, this blog supports their mission to help good policy result from scientific research through the disclosure of government secrecy.
23. beSpacific. This "daily law and technology" blog written by a practicing lawyer frequently discusses topics of homeland security, e-government, cybercrime, and the Patriot Act.
24. Vital Systems Security. With posts on disease control, anthrax updates, strategic bombing in the Republic of Georgia, and more, this blog that is a part of Anthropology of the Contemporary Research Collaboratory brings the latest scientific news as it relates to homeland security issues.
25. PCR Project. A part of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project focuses on strategies to strengthen international conflict response. This blog covers topics such as potential negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban, the NBA PeacePlayers International program, and diplomatic relations between U.S. and Iran.
26. ERRI Homeland Security News. Get the latest news updates from the Emergency Response and Research Institute at this blog/news aggregator.
27. Emergency.Blog. Another blog from ERRI, this focuses on information relating to homeland security and its associated topics such as counter-terrorism, emergency services, the military, and cyberwar.

Blogs Offering a Variety of Opinions and Views

From conservative to liberal views to everything in between, these blogs offer advice, news, information, and more on the subject of homeland security.

28. Armchair Generalist. This blogger writes with a "progressive view on military affairs" that frequently cover topics of homeland security.
29. Homeland Stupidity. While this blog serves to point out the government’s blunders, the goal of these posts is to suggest better approaches and avoid future gaffes.
30. Think Progress. This organization works to promote progressive ideas and politics and their blog supports this mission with articles frequently touching on such homeland security issues as immigration, privacy, and more.
31. Homeland Security Watch. This non-partisan, non-commercial blog approaches its posts with such that it includes several different aspects of security including transportation security, emergency preparedness, infrastructure protection, and border security.
32. National Terror Alert. Get news and information that pertains to homeland security as well as incident reports, preparedness articles, and more.
33. Daniel Pipes Blog. With a decidedly conservative bent, this blog specifically covers topics that relate to the Middle East with less of the perspective of the scholar and more of what Mr. Pipes refers to as that of mainstream America.
34. Danger Room. From Wired.com, this blog, in its usual off-beat style, covers the latest news items on defense with posts surrounding homeland security issues showing up regularly.
35. Threat Level. Another Wired.com blog, this one includes stories about security in general, and often homeland security in particular–often with tongue-in-cheek.
36. Aerospace Cases. The posts here are designed to inspire discussion on a variety of topics, many of which include defense and homeland security issues, with the goal being to benefit those in the business industry, academia, analysts, and others.
37. War and Piece. Written by a national security correspondent for several publications, this blog provides news clips from various sources that provide insight on national security issues and more.
38. Monday (P)review. Updated weekly with news that relates to homeland security, counter-terrorism, and risk management and the potential trends they may reveal.
39. Losantiville. With a decidedly Cincinnati view, this blog offers posts on "current events, homeland security, and the military."

Homeland Security Blogs by Specific Issue

With topics on immigration, security, emergency preparedness, foreign policy, counterterrorism, and more, these blogs offer a more defined look at some of the issues surrounding homeland security.

40. ImmigrationProf Blog. The law professors on this blog write about immigration issues, immigration laws, and often, the intersection of immigration and homeland security.
41. MetaSecurity. Focusing specifically on "the security implications of the virtual community," topics often include terrorism, extremist activity, legal responses, and other issues related to homeland security.
42. Counterterrorism Blog. With posts written for researchers and policy-makers to receive real-time updates on issues surrounding counterterrorism, this blog contains frequent daily updates.
43. In Case of Emergency. Dedicated to public health preparedness, this blog covers information about pandemic flu, funding for preparedness, response exercises, and more.
44. Port Security, Maritime Security, and Homeland Security Blog. Offered by WhisprWave, a company that manufactures port security devices, this blog brings news on security issues that pertain to ports, and water crafts, and more.
45. Disaster Zone. Emergency management and homeland security are the focus of the posts on this blog that offers tips, news, and more.
46. Inoperability Streams. Get updates on all things communication-related with this blog that reports the latest news concerning communications inoperability.
47. NTI Global Security Newswire. This news source sponsored by NTI, an organization with the mission of protecting the world from nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, provides frequent news reports on the topic.
48. FP Passport. Check out the latest in foreign policy news with this blog, a part of the widely-read Foreign Policy Magazine.
49. Privacy and Security Law Blog. With posts frequently touching on homeland security and its related issues, this collaborative blog is written by a group of privacy and security lawyers from the firm of Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP.
50. Open Veins. This blog, written by a professional journalist, highlights issues surrounding immigration including policies as well as a look at the individuals involved.