From a list correspondent:

Subject: [EPIC_IDOF] The Whitehouse Web site is bugged

Hi,

The Whitehouse.gov Web site is bugged! Apparently the Webmaster for the
site has hired Webtrends to track visitors around the site using Web
bugs
and permanent cookies. Here's the Web bug that I found on the home
page of
the Whitehouse.gov Web site:

(Test of javascript code removed)

Similar Web bugs can be found on other Web pages at the Whitehouse
Web site.

Before 9/11, the Clinton administration said this kind of Web
tracking is a
no-no for U.S. government Web sites:

    http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda/m00-13.html

    Because of the unique laws and traditions about
    government access to citizens' personal information,
    the presumption should be that "cookies" will not be
    used at Federal web sites. Under this new Federal policy,
    "cookies" should not be used at Federal web sites, or
    by contractors when operating web sites on behalf of
    agencies, unless, in addition to clear and conspicuous
    notice, the following conditions are met: a compelling
    need to gather the data on the site;

Richard M. Smith
http://www.ComputerBytesMan.com