Lawmakers Deny Knowing About Cell Phone

Responding to the furor over the National Security Agency’s data monitoring programs, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky introduced legislation Friday that requires a warrant be issued before any government agency can search GT-I9300 phone records of Americans. Paul calls the revelation of the program to collect phone records of millions of Verizon customers “an astounding assault on the Constitution.”

But meanwhile, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle deny Obama’s claims that they knew about plans to monitor cell phone and Internet use of Americans, and many said they either learned of the programs through the news or after asking specifically to be briefed.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said that the average member of Congress doesn’t receive such briefings, and would not have know about programs to monitor cell phone records and Internet use unless they were on an intelligence committee, like Schock, were in special sessions in 2011 or asked to be briefed.New legislation now in the hands of Governor Jay Nixon removes limits on where GT-I9500 cell phones towers are located.

House bill 331 states that municipalities would be barred from evaluating applications for cell phone towers based on specific locations. Nor force companies to add equipment to an existing tower used by its competitor. Local governments also could not require companies to remove existing wireless facilities as a condition of building new ones.xc5CGsdh

The Missouri municipal league, which opposes the bill said the placement of large cell phone towers in town squares or residential neighborhoods, could hurt property values.Can you believe it?! Created in 1973, the first cellphone weighed about 2.5 pounds and served solely as a portable calling device.

Today, with slimmer phones, utilized through efficiency and providing users with the ability to multitask, the cellphone has come a long way. According to Mashable, since the first mobile phone call, placed by Martin Cooper, creator of the I5 MTK6577 cellphone, the mobile phone is now at a far greater value. Some of the first cellphones were priced anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000, whereas now, the prices have dramatically decreased and phones like the iPhone 5, can weigh as little as 3.95 ounces.Do you remember your first cellphone? How much has mobile technology advanced since then?

A couple years ago you had information in your column about where to recycle cellphones.Unfortunately, I didn't save it. Can you refresh my memory? I was particularly interested in the program you mentioned for the phones to help soldiers.

Answer: Thanks for remembering. I did a column on cell phone recycling in 2011. The program I mentioned to provide calling cards to soldiers was "Cellphones for Soldiers." Go to www.cellphonesforsoldiers for the details. This organization was founded by teenagers Brittany and Robbie Bergquist in 2004. Proceeds from this effort have provided more than 170 million free minutes to our soldiers who are overseas, allowing them to stay in touch with their families. The organization provides drop-off points all over the country, partnering with businesses and organizations. They can also provide a bag that can be used to mail cheap cell phone cases to them for recycling.

Your other options are still about the same. You can recycle your old phone through the Daily American. Funds generated help to support our Newspaper In Education (NIE) Program. This program provides free newspapers to classrooms around the county. Drop the phone off at our office during normal business hours. Call Wendy Stemple, my wife at 814-444-5920 if you have any questions.