The Comedian's gone so it'll have to be us.
Posted on 03/29/2013 8:28:15 PM PDT by LibWhacker
Law enforcement intelligence-processing fusion centers have long come under attack for spying on Americans. The Arkansas director wanted to clarify the truth: centers only spies on some Americans – those who appear to be a threat to the government.
In trying to clear up the ‘misconceptions’ about the conduct of fusion centers, Arkansas State Fusion Center Director Richard Davis simply confirmed Americans’ fears: the center does in fact spy on Americans – but only on those who are suspected to be ‘anti-government’.
“The misconceptions are that we are conducting spying operations on US citizens, which is of course not a fact. That is absolutely not what we do,” he told the NWA Homepage, which supports KNWA-TV and Fox 24.
After claiming that his office ‘absolutely’ does not spy on Americans, he proceeded to explain that this does not apply to those who could be interpreted as a ‘threat’ to national security. Davis said his office places its focus on international plots, “domestic terrorism and certain groups that are anti-government. We want to kind of take a look at that and receive that information.”
But the First Amendment allows for the freedom of speech and opinion, making it lawfully acceptable for Americans to express their grievances against the US government. The number of anti-government groups even hit a record high in 2012, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Many of these groups are ‘hate groups’ that express disdain for minorities. But unless they become violent, these groups are legally allowed to exist.
“We are seeing the fourth straight year of really explosive growth on the part of anti-government patriot groups and militias,” Mark Potok, senior fellow at the SPLC, told Mother Jones. “That’s 913 percent in growth. We’ve never seen that kind of growth in any group we cover.”
And with a record-high number of anti-government groups, fusion centers may be spying on more Americans than ever before – or at least, have the self-proclaimed right to do so.
“I do what I do because of what happened on 9/11,” Davis said. “There’s this urge and this feeling inside that you want to do something, and this is a perfect opportunity for me.”
But Davis’ argument is flawed: in order to determine whether or not someone is considered a threat to national security, fusion centers would first have to spy on Americans to weed out the suspected individuals, and then proceed to spy on the ‘anti-government’ individuals further.
Across the US, fusion centers have reported on individuals who conducted ‘crimes’ like putting political stickers in public bathrooms or participating in movements against the death penalty. In October, the bipartisan Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations finished a two-year investigation on fusion centers, only to find that the centers had directly violated constitutionally protected civil liberties.
“In reality, the Subcommittee investigation found that the fusion centers often produced irrelevant, useless or inappropriate intelligence reporting to DHS, and many produced no intelligence reporting whatsoever,” the report stated.
And the privacy violations could soon become worse: RT previously reported that the FBI’s proposed facial recognition project could provide fusion centers with more personal data to work with. With at least 72 fusion centers across the US and technology that could further infringe upon privacy rights, government agencies will be able to more efficiently collect data on Americans solely for exercising their freedom of speech.
I personally believe the SPLC gins up support by identifying supposed “hate groups” in every obscure nook and cranny they can. Basically, two people criticizing left wing politics probably constitutes a “hate group” in the eyes of the SPLC. Of course I think the SPLC is itself a hate group of sorts, and probably a sham operation to rake in millions of dollars in contributions to fight an essentially made-up foe. Maybe the whole thing is one giant tax dodge, who knows?
This is from the fraudulent Southern Poverty Law Center. Any group that leans conservative and pro constitution are deemed to be hate groups and racist.
well it allows for revolt, and it is basically a document limiting fedgov, so yeah.
what they mean is they spy on anti-obama folks.
splc believes just about everyone is racist. certainly’anyone against o-hole and moocher.
It isn't a threat to "We the People". It *can* be a threat to "Them the Governing", inasmuch as "Them the Governing" believes that they have the right, authority, and even the solemn obligation to stick their nose in everyone else's business, and to micromanage everyone else's life. Much of "We the People" don't really cotton to this idea, at all...
the infowarrior
Yep. A country is in deep trouble when cops conjuring up criminal statutes out of thin air is as widespread as it seems to be in the US at the moment. If you’re walking down the street, you really have no idea know what law you might be violating in Officer Bob’s head as he cruises past in his squad car.
Sigh. I actually had a nightmare last night sort of relevant to this.
government=Big Brother. It’s what they do.
"Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master".
George Washington
If they’re watching me they see a man who spends too much time playing online poker, but he’s damn good at it.
Washington is infested with anti-government radicals, including communist, fascist and racist organizations that hate the Constitution.
Aren’t these some smart little farts.
Notice what these smart little farts are up to?
They are trying to make a connection with the attack on 9/11 and “Right Wing Extremist”.
Laying the groundwork to try and make it appear as if it’s the anti-govt right wingers that have teamed up with the muslim terrorist to attack the US govt.
Exactly what I’ve been trying to tell people they were up to with the attack in Libya. Wanted to make it appear as if Romney and the repub had collaborated with the terrorist to make Zippo look like Peanuts Carter.
Can you say projection?
this southern poverty law group is a marxist group! they think all conservatives are racist, homophobic bigots and, of course, anti-government! so, i’d say that they are trying to “follow” all conservatives for anti-government activity.
Here’s something for them to read.
I believe that the President we choose next will, and shall defund yo’ ass!
I believe that the President we choose next will, and shall, condense all operations that are unnecessary, which means your position will be deleted.
I believe that the next President we choose will, and shall, call all government business, to come under Constitutional scrutiny, which might land you in jail!
You cannot threaten me with loss of a job, I’m retired.
The SPLC cannot vanely threaten me with so-called titles. I’m a bona fide Libertarian, Constitutionalist, Oath-not-done-till-I-die military veteran, Nativist half-breed, whose still ready to die for his beloved country!
I believe that Communism and Socialism have no place in this country, and those practicing need to leave quietly, or be prepared to reap what they have attempted to sow.
Now, how’s ‘bout you?
"You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for independence."
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? (Juvenal)
Who will watch over the watchmen?
The Comedian's gone so it'll have to be us.
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