FBI to Expand Domestic Surveillance Powers

FBI to Expand Domestic Surveillance Powers as Details Emerge of Its Spy Campaign Targeting Activists


Fbi_crow_button Civil liberties advocates are raising alarm over news the FBI is giving agents more leeway to conduct domestic surveillance. According to the New York Times, new guidelines will allow FBI agents to investigate people and organizations "proactively" without firm evidence for suspecting criminal activity. We speak to former FBI agent Mike German, who now works at the American Civil Liberties Union, and Texas activist Scott Crow, who has been the focus of intense FBI surveillance from 2001 until at least 2008. Using the Freedom of Information Act, Crow received 440 pages of heavily redacted documents revealing the FBI had set up a video camera outside his house, traced the license plates of cars parked in front of his home, recorded the arrival and departure of his guests, and observed gatherings that Crow attended at bookstores and cafes. The agency also tracked Crow’s emails and phone conversations and picked through his trash to identify his bank and mortgage companies. “It’s been definitely traumatizing at different points,” says Crow. “But if we don’t come out and be open about this, then they’ve already won, and the surveillance and the ‘war on terror’ wins against us.”

Watch the video interview:  http://www.democracynow.org/2011/6/14/fbi_to_expand_domestic_surveillance_powers

lightwins's picture

I am sorry they live in such a small and frightened mind-world/dream-body.

Knightspirit's picture

Of course the FBI and all other alphabet agencies will be getting more "domestic" powers - that was the whole point of creating "homeland insecurity" in the first place - is anyone really surprised? We all knew this was coming - and soon it will come full circle to the point that WE are the targeted "terrorists" (as if that isn't already the case) in full view and cooperation of the government (and the people - if we do nothing to stop it...) Perhaps this very forum has been targeted for "review" as we are probably hitting many of the key words which trigger the Eschelon program etc. 

While it seems that 1984 was written not that long ago - the difference in our situation then and now is amazing. Orwell probably had no idea that something along the lines of his book would manifest this quickly (or maybe he did - and wrote the book because of it).

Thanks for the post - Noa - let's keep our eyes and ears open!

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