The FBI is collecting large volumes of files on Bush's opposition

[kbate]

the dmv keeps records on drivers. credit agencies keep records on people who use credit. and a law enforcement agency keeps records on people who have no history of breaking the law? (speaking broadly; i realize the different organizations have different histories.) i wonder if similar files are maintained on the nra. or the american center for law & justice?

That was one great fear of the Patriot Act, that a politician could name any group as a group in need of watching. NRA, GOA, ACLU, PETA, etc.. and begin collecting data about the memberships. A more extreme interpretation would allow ALL members of such a group to become "persons" of interest if ONE member of such a group was convicted of terrorism.

I don't suspect you would be quite as angry if it were the NRA being investigated.

 

[cjh]

That was one great fear of the Patriot Act, that a politician could name any group as a group in need of watching. NRA, GOA, ACLU, PETA, etc.. and begin collecting data about the memberships. A more extreme interpretation would allow ALL members of such a group to become "persons" of interest if ONE member of such a group was convicted of terrorism.

I don't suspect you would be quite as angry if it were the NRA being investigated.

actually, i would.

 

[ruminator]

That was one great fear of the Patriot Act, that a politician could name any group as a group in need of watching. NRA, GOA, ACLU, PETA, etc.. and begin collecting data about the memberships. A more extreme interpretation would allow ALL members of such a group to become "persons" of interest if ONE member of such a group was convicted of terrorism.

I don't suspect you would be quite as angry if it were the NRA being investigated.

This brings up a good point. In light of the reason given, dangers from political activism, it stands to reason that many conservative political organizations will fall under the same scope.

 

[cuninglinguist61]

This brings up a good point. In light of the reason given, dangers from political activism, it stands to reason that many conservative political organizations will fall under the same scope.

such as, say, the anti-abortion groups that blow up women's clinics ??? nah they're just "conservative christians"

 

[ruminator]

such as, say, the anti-abortion groups that blow up women's clinics ??? nah they're just "conservative christians"

They only have to show a potential threat that would result from political activism. If The College Republicans send out a message suggesting civil disobedience, however minor, it can prompt the same file collection and surveillance of all members, former members, parents and family.




Here's another good one to follow.

A probe into a domestic surveillance unit within the California National Guard ballooned Tuesday into a full-blown investigation into widespread allegations of spying on U.S. citizens, misuse of state money and retaliation against Guard troops who brought the allegations to light.

Sen. Joseph Dunn, D-Santa Ana, said after a Capitol hearing that he will order top National Guard officers to testify under oath, after they refused to do so voluntarily. He might seek contempt of Legislature charges against those officers because, he said, the state military department has stonewalled his efforts to get documents about a secret unit called Information Synchronization, Knowledge, Management and Intelligence Fusion.

That unit collected information on a Mother's Day anti-war protest in front of the state Capitol. Dunn described the unit as the "tip of the iceberg" of domestic spying units within the California National Guard.

<clip>

Senate widens probe of Guard spying allegation

 

[Le Jacquelope]

This is a questionable analogy at best.

Wow, we're in agreement on something!