Moreover, the National Security Letters are attached with a gag order, preventing any financial institution from informing its clients that their records have been surrendered to the FBI. If a financial institution breaches the gag order, it faces criminal penalties. And finally, the FBI will no longer be required to report to Congress how often they have used the National Security Letters.
Naturally, you do your dirty work when everyone's attention is diverted elsewhere. This is nothing new.
As someone often told me, "When a bomb goes off over here..." ::gesturing toward the front:: "...you look over here." ::gesture to the back::
Even for a president, it does appear as though he is pushing the envelope.
This particular act is one that I have been more or less waiting for, the last few years.
I can't say if I know anyone personally who has done such a thing, but consider this scenario:
It is the height of the 2nd Palestinian Intifada (uprising), not long after (eight year old) Mohammed Durrah was shot on camera.
Someone gives $100 to "Holy Land Foundation" (a secular oriented charity helping Palestinians) using their credit card.
Months later, 9/11 happens. Although the Palestinians had nothing to do with this, pictures of Palestinians dancing (identified as originating years earlier) are displayed with the caption "Palestinian's Celebrate American Tragedy". No significant retractions were ever printed. Palestinian relief organizations, are marked as supporting terrorists.
"Holy Land Foundation" is accused of being a front for Hamas (although there is no evidence to support this.) Its office materials are seized from its office in Texas.
Laws are passed which provide a loose definition of "material support" for terrorism, as "terrorism", and the State Dept. determines that lack of knowledge of "aiding and abetting" is not a defense. Additionally, in some tests of the circuit courts, citizens are charged with crimes for actions that were NOT illegal at the time they were performed.
The present law guarantees, that absent even suspicion - one's records will turn up things like charitable contributions to relief organizations.
Now, I can't say if I know anyone who might be in such a situation - but imagine if it did happen.
Not surprising and we haven't seen nearly the end of it. When the desire for security become paramount, freedom flies out the window. In the end, there is neither.
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timeasmymeasure
read it....
Date: 2003-12-27 02:21 pm (UTC)Moreover, the National Security Letters are attached with a gag order, preventing any financial institution from informing its clients that their records have been surrendered to the FBI. If a financial institution breaches the gag order, it faces criminal penalties. And finally, the FBI will no longer be required to report to Congress how often they have used the National Security Letters.
Naturally, you do your dirty work when everyone's attention is diverted elsewhere. This is nothing new.
As someone often told me, "When a bomb goes off over here..." ::gesturing toward the front:: "...you look over here." ::gesture to the back::
Even for a president, it does appear as though he is pushing the envelope.
I really hate politics.
PS...
Date: 2003-12-27 02:28 pm (UTC)--remember "World's Stupidest Criminals"?
no subject
Date: 2003-12-28 01:51 am (UTC)This particular act is one that I have been more or less waiting for, the last few years.
I can't say if I know anyone personally who has done such a thing, but consider this scenario:
Now, I can't say if I know anyone who might be in such a situation - but imagine if it did happen.
no subject
Date: 2003-12-28 06:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-12-28 11:23 am (UTC)Geez, welcome to the new Russia!
no subject
Date: 2003-12-28 02:11 pm (UTC)Sheesh. I suppose that's to protect us from all the terrorists in Congress? :P
no subject
Date: 2003-12-28 06:22 pm (UTC)Oh yes! And especially should Congress ever have the misfortune of having a Democratic majority! ;-)