In a story today, the New York Times reports that the F.B.I. has reports on the A.C.L.U., Greenpeace, the American Indian Movement of Colorado, and United for Peace and Justice. There are a reported 2,400 pages of information on Greenpeace which has protested the Bush administration's environmental policies and the war in Iraq. There are 1,200 pages on the A.C.L.U.
Isn't freedom wonderful? You know they hate us for our freedom. Freedom like Judith Miller has. Freedom like 150 groups who were critics of the war in Iraq who apparently have thousands of pages in F.B.I. files.
It turns my stomach. The hypocrisy, the myth of land of the free, the lies which justified the war in Iraq. This administration is right out of Kafka, or Brazil.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - bhw
You know they hate us for our freedom.
I wonder if any right-wing activist groups are on the FBI watch list or if it's just the lefties.
2 - andy marsh
bhw - I would guess the answer to that question would be yes...I mean...why else was there a ruby ridge or a waco incident with the FBI?
3 - bhw
Those aren't activist groups. The ACLU is a group of lawyers, for pete's sake.
4 - Nancy
Not to worry; they spy on everyone. Rumor has it they even have files on Star Trek & other fan groups. You also have a file if you're any sort of ex-federal security agency employee. My phone line occasionally emits little clicks & squeaks. My take on it is, that FBI agents being severely disciplined are forced to listen by way of penance to the incredibly boring, inane babble. Heh, serves them right. ;)
5 - John Bambenek
Yes there are Nancy. Say pro-lifers, for instance.
You know what would be a fun project, now that I think about it. All of us should FOIA our FBI files. I'd be interested to see how many have them.
6 - Nancy
'Yes there are, Nancy' what? Disconnect? What are you referring to, John?
7 - John Bambenek
I guess bhw posed the question, my bad... there are files on "right-wingers"
8 - andy marsh
and somehow because the aclu is full of lawyers that makes them what??? over-educated idiots???
9 - John Bambenek
I think any organization full of lawyers is suspect...
That's why I don't like Congress either.
10 - andy marsh
bhw - the us congress is a bunch of lawyers and somebody outta be watching them too!
11 - John Bambenek
I concur
12 - bhw
bhw - the us congress is a bunch of lawyers and somebody outta be watching them too!
That's our job.
13 - dietdoc
John writes: "now that I think about it. All of us should FOIA our FBI files. I'd be interested to see how many have them"
Reply: Now, that is a most excellent idea! It would be kinda fun to see if my college activism is still lurking in some FBI file 30 years later. Lordy, I would hope they have better things to archive, but, it is the government!
Cheers,
Ron
14 - andy marsh
I have heard that if you do a FOIA for your records and there are none...there soon will be...
15 - bhw
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean nobody's watching you.
16 - andy marsh
bhw - I think we're doing a terrible job!
17 - John Bambenek
Andy,
Maybe, but who cares... I mean really. I know the FBI has a file on me, but that's because I had clearance and did the whole background check.
Do you really care if the FBI knows what your favorite breakfast cereal is?
18 - Dave Nalle
The FBI has a file on me originating when I worked against the draft registration, but I doubt it's been updated, and if it has it's probably awfully boring.
The problem is not necessarily their information gathering, but what they do with it.
Dave
19 - andy marsh
well...honestly...I don't eat breakfast...but I'm sure they have one on me...I still hold a security clearance...and I really don't care about any files they have on me...they can't be that bad...I've had my clearance for almost 30 years!
20 - balletshooz
Truly scary, namely because the ACLU is a peaceful organization that, as far as I can tell, has never fire-bombed an abortion clinic. While these other "right-wing" groups that have records have them for valid reasons. I would like to find out in hte future exactly why the FBI is spying on the ACLU?
21 - John Bambenek
99+% of pro-lifers don't firebomb clinics. As I'm sure that 99+% of protestors don't bomb government offices. Point?
22 - Dave Nalle
I imagine the FBI keeps tabs on the ACLU because it's a good way to spot certain types of criminals who are looking for a lawyer - for example child pornographers.
Dave
23 - John Bambenek
Heh
24 - Nancy
That would be kind of after the fact, tho, wouldn't it? I mean, no one would need a lawyer if they weren't already in trouble...altho I have to admit the ACLU would probably be screwy enough to defend a child porn maggot, or one of those ghastly man-boy-love slimebags. I think, tho, they're missing the boat in spending so much time keeping files on people who dont' matter, while the ones who do all seem (from recent reports on the FBI) to somehow get under their sights.
25 - bob
That's interesting about files on organized fan groups such as Star Trek ...wonder if they also have files on Whovians?