Posted on 10/04/2008 12:58:12 PM PDT by steve-b
Justice Department officials released new guidelines Friday that empower FBI agents to use intrusive techniques to gather intelligence within the United States, alarming civil liberties groups and Democratic lawmakers who worry that they invite privacy violations and other abuses.
The new road map allows investigators to recruit informants, employ physical surveillance and conduct interviews in which agents disguise their identities in an effort to assess national security threats. FBI agents could pursue each of those steps without any single fact indicating a person has ties to a terrorist organization.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Good thing Bush is leaving. But with our luck, Obama will find another way to abuse civil liberties.
I do not understand the timing of this, particularly coming on the heels of the DOJ saying that it would not have prosecutors present at polling places on election day. What is going on here?
The Administration really needs to undo some of these power grabs pronto — the risk that the new powers will be in the hands of the Democrats next year is simply too high.
We haven’t been attacked again since 9/11. I would like to know how many attacks have been thwarted by this surveillance.
If you already had the facts why would there be a need for an investigation?
Why are Rat Party (formerly the traditional, patriotic Democratic Party) folks so jumpy?
Wot?
That's right! They see the U.S. as more of a threat to the world than anything else. They want "our chickens to come home to roost." Thus, Obama is the one for them!
Imagine the ‘glee’ that a far-left, radical, EXTREMIST like Hussein can do with enhanced surveillance and police powers?? (Another reason why I opposed the Patriot Act—I trusted the Bush Administration,,,,but what happens with any and all advanced surveillance when the ‘faces change’?)
alarming civil liberties groups and Democratic lawmakers, because they have something to hide! ACORN for one. Lets investigate congress for the finanacial crisis we are in now!
We weren't attacked before 9/11 either when they didn't have unconstitutional powers.
I doubt they’ll release any numbers on that. Notice the sentence in boldface.
khobar towers, U.S.S. Cole, wtc 1993, etc.
The Democratic written and Democratic majority passed bailout bill includes provisions that give the I.R.S. more investigatory powers, including some that mirror the ones discussed in this article.
The Democrats who civil liberties thing is a joke. They have no qualms to invalidating your rights when it comes to funding their almighty and beloved socialist state.
FBI increase in ability to go after foreign terrorists: BAD.
IRS increase in ability to go after American taxpayers: GOOD.
Unfortunately I believe you nailed it. I never felt such could happen and even scoffed at those that considered Marshall law scenarios.....but not anymore.
I oppose the patriot act and all of the fedgov power grabs since.
Marshall law?
“FBI increase in ability to go after foreign terrorists: BAD.”
This isn’t about foreigners it’s about American citizens and legal residents. Basically, this means that any one of us could be investigated by the FBI as a “terrorist” whether or not there’s any evidence that we have ties to terrorism.
If Obama wins the election, I sure hope that it puts an end to support for unconstitutional government powers among so-called “conservatives.”
“The Administration really needs to undo some of these power grabs pronto ...”
They were bad laws from the beginning and the Bush Administration helped put them into play.
Don't worry. It'll be patriotic then so you'll feel good about it.
Change we need!
/puke
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