During 80's and 90's, the FBI kept close surveillance on a number of environmental organizations and activists because they suspected the Unabomber was one of those activists. Law requires the government to inform you that you have been monitored after the surveillance period stops. After learning of the government's activities, some of these activists used the Freedom of Information Act to get government records on the surveillance. One of the more shocking revelations was that the FBI had infiltrated peace groups in northern California.

Thus, I am never amazed to learn more about the quixotic methods employed by the United States government to rid us of "terror." (including so-called eco-terrorists) These agencies apparently will never realize that there is a huge difference between dissent and crime.

Maybe they are trying to monitor these groups for inflitration by foreign agents. Going by what the US does overseas with NGOs and "democracy" groups in starting domestic unrest, it would be unsurprising if it was afraid of getting some of its own medicine.

Spying on US citizens like this is nothing new.

What's also not new is that the reasons given for putting Americans under the microscope don't jibe with the microscope's target. In other words, even if this behavior was constitutional why spy on peace activists?

If you were an Islamic terrorist, would it be easier to raise money and recruits to fight the US if: a) America was ruled by peace activists who were urging understanding and foreign aid; or b) Bush was President and angry Christian fundamentalists had launched an illegal "crusade" in Iraq, with "values" like torture and corruption leading the way?

Hmmmm. Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld are probably the best thing to ever happen to crackpots abroad.

Obviously, the reasons given for spying on peace activists are lies. Watching peace activists is political abuse of power and has nothing to do with "protecting America." In fact, in my opinion, IT IS the assault on America.

".... The Defense Department refused an interview request from NBC, but a Pentagon spokesman told the network that all domestic intelligence information is 'properly collected' and involves 'protection of Defense Department installations, interests and personnel.'"

I am not a lawyer, but, at last report, the protection to which the spokesman alludes is neither the duty nor the role of the Dept. of Defense, i.e., of its personnel, agents and/or contractors, and they do not have any legal authority to directly collect data on such matters. Whether the data that is in the database that NBC obtained was collected directly by DoD personnel, agents and/or contractors is not clear. Such data can only be collected pursuant to a criminal investigation(s), usually requiring a warrant(s) from a judge(s), by federal law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Protective Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and, sometimes, various and sundry federal marshalls. Be that as it may, the Bush Administration has constantly sought rationales for bringing military forces into domestic situations, whether they may be hurricanes, floods or "riots".

We the people don't need them, but the reactionary fascists do.

What was the other alphabet group the Neo-cons in the Pentagon got caught trying to set up? To do some "data-mining" for "terrorists" or whoever else might fall into their net? Couple years back, got their hands slapped, got shut down?

Or did they?

What will it take for the people of this country to stop electing people who will allow -- nay, encourage -- this type of activity?

I've read that phrase in three articles in the last 10 minutes.