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July 18, 2005

Um, Isn't It Their Job?

Maybe I'm missing something, but I really don't get what the hoopla is about this:

FBI agents monitored Web sites calling for protests against the 2004 political conventions in New York and Boston on behalf of the bureau's counterterrorism unit, according to FBI documents released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Well, ok, I admit I do know what this is about, as the next sentences explain it perfectly:

The American Civil Liberties Union pointed to the documents as evidence that the Bush administration has reacted to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States by blurring the distinction between terrorism and political protest. FBI officials defended the involvement of counterterrorism agents in providing security for the Republican and Democratic conventions as an administrative convenience.

Bushy McChimphitler! Look, the FBI is supposed to share information amongst its various sections so that there's a better chance we don't miss the next batch of flight students from a 'friendly' nation. And it is many in Academe and the MSM that have "reacted to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States by blurring the distinction between terrorism and political protest" by promoting the argument that the blood of those who died is to be found on the hands of Team America, as opposed to on the hands of the people who carried out the attacks.

"It's increasingly clear that the government is involved in political surveillance of organizations that are involved in nothing more than lawful First Amendment activities," said Anthony Romero, executive director of the ACLU. "It raises very serious questions about whether the FBI is back to its old tricks."

What, is the Director a transvestite?

A Sept. 4, 2003, document addressed to the FBI counterterrorism unit described plans by a group calling itself RNC Not Welcome to "disrupt" the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York. It also described Internet postings from an umbrella organization known as United for Peace and Justice, which was coordinating worldwide protests against the convention.

"It's one thing to monitor protests and protest organizers, but quite another thing to refer them to your counterterrorism unit," said Leslie Cagan, national coordinator for United for Peace and Justice.

No, it's not, shit-for-brains. I want the FBI to look at the information on the organizers and the protestors. I want them to refer that information to the Counter-terrorism Unit with the question "Is this something we should worry about?" And when the C-T Unit comes back with the answer "No", I want them to to say "OK", and move along to the next project...which is exactly what happened. Quit wasting government resouorces with your attention-whoring.

Posted by Mr. Bingley at July 18, 2005 02:21 PM

Comments

Unfortunately, the ACLU is playing the fear card here, harking back to the days when J. Edgar Hoover really did monitor US citizens illegally.

What happened in NYC and Boston was quite reasonable, but the ACLU is perfectly willing to hamstring law enforcement, largely because they are much around the bend as Amnesty International.

Posted by: The Real JeffS at July 19, 2005 12:40 AM

Egg Zachary

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at July 19, 2005 08:01 AM

Have fun with a lefty - if this is about monitoring political enemies, ask them, why did the FBI monitored protestors in Boston for the DNC?

Posted by: Nightfly at July 19, 2005 10:27 AM