Posted in The Jawa Report:
ACLU complaint about the DHS, through the use of “fusion centers”, monitoring the activities of the Left (and Right):
* A May 7, 2008 report entitled “Universal Adversary Dynamic Threat Assessment” authored by a private contractor that labeled environmental organizations like the Sierra Club, the Humane Society and the Audubon Society as “mainstream organizations with known or possible links to eco-terrorism”;
* A potential abuse of authority by DHS officials who improperly monitored and disseminated the communications of peace activists affiliated with the DC Anti-War Network (DAWN);
* A report produced on February 19, 2009 by the North Central Texas Fusion System entitled “Prevention Awareness Bulletin” which described a purported conspiracy between Muslim civil rights organizations, lobbying groups, the anti-war movement, the U.S. Treasury Department, hip hop bands and former Congresswoman and presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney to “provide an environment for terrorist organizations to flourish”;
* A “Strategic Report” produced February 20, 2009 by the Missouri Information Analysis Center that described a purported security threat posed by the “modern militia movement” but inappropriately included references to social, religious and political ideologies, including support of third party presidential candidates such as Congressman Ron Paul and former Congressman Bob Barr; and
* A “Protective Intelligence Bulletin” issued by the DHS Intelligence Branch of the Threat Management Division of the Federal Protective Service which improperly collected and disseminated information regarding political demonstrations and inappropriately labeled peaceful advocacy groups and other activists as “extremists.”
Emphasis added
-paulie
13 responses so far ↓
1 d.eris // Apr 14, 2009 at 7:30 pm
What this reveals, as I’ve written before, is that, from the perspective of the intelligence and surveillance apparatus of the two party state, political positions outside the ’sphere of consensus’ are clearly perceived as threats to the security of the system.
2 Homeland Security targets Cynthia McKinney, and supporters of Ron Paul, Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin as political threats « OntheWilderSide // Apr 14, 2009 at 7:35 pm
[...] Chuck Baldwin as political threats This story was posted to the other web-site I write for Independent Political Report. Story by Paulie [...]
3 jason // Apr 14, 2009 at 7:37 pm
It’s good to know those terrorists in the Humane Society will finally be brought to justice.
4 paulie // Apr 14, 2009 at 7:39 pm
A report produced on February 19, 2009 by the North Central Texas Fusion System entitled “Prevention Awareness Bulletin” which described a purported conspiracy between Muslim civil rights organizations, lobbying groups, the anti-war movement, the U.S. Treasury Department, hip hop bands and former Congresswoman and presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney to “provide an environment for terrorist organizations to flourish”;
The US treasury department?
5 Ross Levin // Apr 14, 2009 at 7:39 pm
It just goes to show the people who write these reports are batshit nuts.
6 paulie // Apr 14, 2009 at 7:42 pm
from the perspective of the intelligence and surveillance apparatus of the two party state, political positions outside the ’sphere of consensus’ are clearly perceived as threats to the security of the system.
Exactly.
It just goes to show the people who write these reports are batshit nuts.
Tax dollars being put to good use once again…
7 Peter Orvetti // Apr 14, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Same as it ever was, same as it ever was.
8 paulie // Apr 14, 2009 at 11:08 pm
http://delawarelibertarian.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-feel-better-now-dhs-is-also-concerned.html
9 Steven R Linnabary // Apr 15, 2009 at 12:08 am
It was reported today on Fox (I don’t remember if it was Cavuto or Beck) that DHS also fears returning war veterans might be “going militia”, and specifically mentioned Timothy McVeigh.
PEACE
10 Brian Miller // Apr 15, 2009 at 12:18 am
DHS also fears returning war veterans might be “going militia”
Funny that their “fears” don’t include some reflection on the idiotic war-built-on-lies and repeated long tours of duty that would lead many of them to mental and physical anguish.
Nope, let’s make ‘em cannon fodder and then put them under suspicion when they return from their hellish tours of duty. That’s what America is all about, right?
11 Peter Orvetti // Apr 15, 2009 at 12:35 pm
FYI…
STATEMENT BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY JANET NAPOLITANO ON THE THREAT OF RIGHT-WING EXTREMISM
The primary mission of this department is to prevent terrorist attacks on our nation. The document on right-wing extremism sent last week by this department’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis is one in an ongoing series of assessments to provide situational awareness to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies on the phenomenon and trends of violent radicalization in the United States. I was briefed on the general topic, which is one that struck a nerve as someone personally involved in the Timothy McVeigh prosecution.
Let me be very clear: we monitor the risks of violent extremism taking root here in the United States. We don’t have the luxury of focusing our efforts on one group; we must protect the country from terrorism whether foreign or homegrown, and regardless of the ideology that motivates its violence.
We are on the lookout for criminal and terrorist activity but we do not – nor will we ever – monitor ideology or political beliefs. We take seriously our responsibility to protect the civil rights and liberties of the American people, including subjecting our activities to rigorous oversight from numerous internal and external sources.
I am aware of the letter from American Legion National Commander Rehbein, and my staff has already contacted him to set up a meeting next week once I return from travel. I will tell him face-to-face that we honor veterans at DHS and employ thousands across the department, up to and including the Deputy Secretary.
As the department responsible for protecting the homeland, DHS will continue to work with its state and local partners to prevent and protect against the potential threat to the United States associated with any rise in violent extremist activity.
12 Kimberly Wilder // Apr 20, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Connected story. Looks like it made the AP to compare Bob Barr and Cynthia McKinney’s position on Fusion Centers. Pretty cool…
From April 1st:
http://www.kdbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=10113992&nav=menu608_2_5
KDC News/AP
Unlikely pair on same civil liberties side
Associated Press – April 1, 2009 6:55 PM ET
ATLANTA (AP) – Former U.S. House members and presidential candidates Bob Barr and Cynthia McKinney are speaking out on potential abuse of “fusion centers.”…
13 Rocky Eades // Apr 20, 2009 at 12:08 pm
@ #12 – I wonder, now that Barr has been humbled by the election, if he will stand on the same stage with “a socialist like Cynthia McKinney” and make common cause against the DHS reports.
Leave a Comment