Breaking Down the Walls of Protection Between the CIA and You
Yet another disturbing step is taken in the march toward complete integration of local and federal law enforvcement, all in the name of fighting “terrorism”. This time, it is a justive department proposal that would allow investigation of a person who is suspected of supporting “terrorism” without an underlying crime. From the Washington Post article:
Under the Justice Department proposal for state and local police, published for public comment July 31, law enforcement agencies would be allowed to target groups as well as individuals, and to launch a criminal intelligence investigation based on the suspicion that a target is engaged in terrorism or providing material support to terrorists. They also could share results with a constellation of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and others in many cases.
Michael German, policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union, said the proposed rule may be misunderstood as permitting police to collect intelligence even when no underlying crime is suspected, such as when a person gives money to a charity that independently gives money to a group later designated a terrorist organization.
The white house says that “internal procedures” are in place to make sure that civil rights aren’t violated, but I have a tough time believing that there are any “internal” people left who give a damn about civil liberties. Many of the regulations and restrictions were put in place after the Nixon-era investigations that showed how intelligence collection services had been abused by the Executive branch against domestic targets. It appears that we have either forgotten about that, or don’t care anymore. Another piece of the Republic dies.
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