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Attorney General Eric Holder said phones should protect security but also still allow for law enforcement access.

Apple and Google are beefing up security in their next-gen mobile operating systems and the move has law enforcement officials scrambling.

Shortly after FBI Director James Comey told reporters that he is "very concerned" about plans for encryption in iOS and Android, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder echoed those sentiments during a speech before the Global Alliance Conference Against Child Sexual Abuse Online.

Holder is concerned that encryption technology rolling out on iOS 8 and Android L - which is meant to protect users' personal information - could also provide a safe haven for criminals since firms like Google and Apple will have a limited ability to turn over data stored on devices to law enforcement officials.

"It is fully possible to permit law enforcement to do its job while still adequately protecting personal privacy," Holder said.

Holder praised the efforts of tech giants to combat online sexual predators - like a Google database that makes it easier for organizations to report and remove images of child sexual abuse from the Web. Still, "we would hope that technology companies would be willing to work with us to ensure that law enforcement retains the ability, with court authorization, to lawfully obtain information in the course of an investigation, such as catching kidnappers and sexual predators."

"When a child is in danger, law enforcement needs to be able to take every legally available step to quickly find and protect the child and to stop those that abuse children," Holder continued. "It is worrisome to see companies thwarting our ability to do so."

Tech company efforts to beef up security, however, come largely in response to last year's Edward Snowden data leaks, which reported widespread government spying on the Web and mobile.

Cupertino's new iOS 8 no longer allows user passwords to be bypassedmeaning neither the police nor Genius Bar employees can circumvent the built-in security system. "So it's not technically feasible for us to respond to government warrants for the extraction of this data from devices in their possession running iOS 8," the Apple's website said.

Google has also confirmed that the next-gen Android L OS will encrypt by default. Previously, users had to turn it on themselves.

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Holder: iOS, Android Encryption Is 'Worrisome'

Outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder says that he expects the Department of Justice to stand behind gay and lesbian couples seeking the freedom to marry before the Supreme Court.

There's still no word from the U.S. Supreme Court on the pending marriage litigation. But while we wait for the justices to make an announcement, the Department of Justice is poised to weigh in before the court no matter which cases if any the high court takes up.

The Supreme Court met on Monday to consider hearing one, several, or none of the seven marriage equality cases currently pending before it. However, the nine justices could also put off a decision until a later date. That's looking increasingly likely, since the Fifth Circuit might issue a controversial decision upholding marriage bans at some point in November or December.

In the meantime, outgoing U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder revealed to NBC News that the Department of Justice is likely to file a brief before the Supreme Court in support of the freedom to marry.

Holder announced last week that he would be stepping down as soon as a replacement can be appointed. Under his tenure, the Department of Justice stopped defending the federal Defense of Marriage Act, arguing that the law was unconstitutional. Last June, the Supreme Court agreed and struck down a key section of the 1996 law.

Holder also halted deportations for non-citizens in relationships with gay and lesbian Americans.

In his interview with NBC, Holder said that his work for civil rights is one of his proudest accomplishments. "What we've done for LGBT equality, same-sex marriage, I'm very proud of that," he told Pete Williams (who, incidentally, was listed among The Advocate's recent ranking of most influential LGBT people working in mainstream media).

Later in the interview, Holder described his expectation for the DOJ's involvement with the marriage cases pending before the Supreme Court.

"I expect that the Justice Department will file a brief, and the brief will be consistent with the positions that we've taken in the past with respect to same-sex marriage," he said.

Last year, the DOJ filed a brief in opposition to DOMA, stating:

Originally posted here:
Holder's Final Vow to Supreme Court: Uphold Marriage Equality

Liberal Democrat Leadership Change
I feel Liberal Democrats need a new leader to push the party into next year #39;s General Election. Nick Clegg is a beacon of the coalition that has hit the part...

By: Chris Bravey

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Liberal Democrat Leadership Change - Video

Democrat Charlie Crist Counting on Florida #39;s Youth Vote
Democratic Florida gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist teams up with University of Florida College Democrats to engage millennial voters in the upcoming governor #39;s race.

By: GVH Live

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Democrat Charlie Crist Counting on Florida's Youth Vote - Video

The Democratic candidate for governor of Pennsylvania on Wednesday defined the middle class as taxpayers earning less than $90,000 annually, leaving open the possibility that his proposed tax hikes for others would take effect above that level.

For me, the middle class is somewhere in the $70,000 to $90,000 [range] on the individual tax return, said Tom Wolf, a businessman who is trying to upset Republican Gov. Tom Corbetts bid for a second term.

In a debate, Mr. Wolf said he wants to cut the states income tax for middle-class workers. He has said he intends to raise taxes on wealthier families, but hasnt provided the details.

Mr. Corbett, trailing by as many as 20 percentage points in recent polls, tried to pounce on the Democrats revelation.

So two teachers [filing jointly] who make over $90,000, you would consider above the middle class? Mr. Corbett asked.

Assuming those teachers still had their jobs, replied Mr. Wolf, who blames the incumbent for thousands of teacher layoffs due to cuts in education funding.

It was their second debate of the campaign, in which polls show Mr. Corbett struggling against a challenger whos never held elected office. A Franklin and Marshall College poll on Sept. 22 showed Mr. Wolf leading among likely voters, 57 percent to 37 percent. A Morning Call-Muhlenberg College survey on Sept. 18 showed the Democrat with a 21-point lead, 54 percent to 33 percent.

Mr. Corbett is calling attention to the Democrats plans to raise taxes, including his proposal to impose a new 5 percent severance tax on the states burgeoning shale gas industry. Mr. Wolf says he would use hundreds of millions of dollars from that source to restore some of the education funding that Mr. Corbett didnt replace when federal stimulus money from the Obama administration dried up.

Pressed for specifics on his planned tax increases Wednesday, Mr. Wolf, who said he wants to cut taxes for the middle class, didnt divulge much.

Ive as been specific as I can, he said. Ill be specific when I understand what kind of [budget] hole this governor has left the next governor.

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Democrat in Pa. governor's race plans income-tax hikes