Data reveal FBI abuses in secret surveillance

[MidnightBlue]

The FBI has conducted clandestine surveillance on some US residents for as long as 18 months at a time without proper paperwork or oversight, according to classified documents scheduled to be released today. [...]

In one case, FBI agents kept an unidentified target under surveillance for at least five years, including more than 15 months without notifying Justice Department lawyers after the subject had moved from New York to Detroit. [...]

In other cases, agents obtained e-mail messages after a warrant expired, seized bank records without authority, and conducted an improper ''unconsented physical search," according to the documents

More at Data on FBI cite abuses in secret surveillance

 

[MadeInOz]

Charming!

 

[Jonathan David]

We have to make sacrifices for our freedom

 

[mala]

We have to make sacrifices for our freedom

just so long as it's not you doing the sacrificing

 

[Ave Maria]

This figures. And let me guess, this is because of the Patriot Act?

 

[horuhe00]

This figures. And let me guess, this is because of the Patriot Act?

Hah!

The FBI and CIA have been doing this for decades. The Patriot Act is simply a Godsent for them.

 

[MadeInOz]

This smells like the movie "Enemy of the State"

 

[Fly4Christ]

Did they have any reason to conduct this? If they were (suspected) terrorists that they were monitoring, then I don't really care how they keep tabs on them.

 

[horuhe00]

Did they have any reason to conduct this? If they were (suspected) terrorists that they were monitoring, then I don't really care how they keep tabs on them.

"Break the law as long as it doesn't harm me." Great...

 

[SimplyMe]

The FBI has conducted clandestine surveillance on some US residents for as long as 18 months at a time without proper paperwork or oversight, according to classified documents scheduled to be released today. [...]

In one case, FBI agents kept an unidentified target under surveillance for at least five years, including more than 15 months without notifying Justice Department lawyers after the subject had moved from New York to Detroit. [...]

In other cases, agents obtained e-mail messages after a warrant expired, seized bank records without authority, and conducted an improper ''unconsented physical search," according to the documents

More at Data on FBI cite abuses in secret surveillance

While I can't say I'm surprised, I find it sad that our nation's top law-enforcement agency apparently has no qualm about breaking the same laws they are sworn to protect. Sadder still are the American's who may feel they are justified if they are going after a suspect.

We should be up in arms over this, if the FBI is trampling on our rights then who is left to enforce our rights? For those who want to argue that if they are going after a terrorist than they have their blessing, the question still remains that if they still have enough to keep the person as a suspect then shouldn't they be able to get new warrants to prolong the search? If they can't, then chances are that person doesn't deserve to be a suspect any longer.

In fact, it sounds as if in many of these cases they were going after an innocent person. Worse, if this person is guilty than gathering information after the warrant expires will give this suspect grounds for the dismissal of his/her case. In the cases where they are using the Patriot Act, this only further highlights why this is such a bad piece of legislation.

If we don't take our rights seriously and demand the respect of our rights than at some point the government will take them away.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

We have to make sacrifices for our freedom

Sacrifices for our freedom or sacrifices of our freedom?

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

Did they have any reason to conduct this? If they were (suspected) terrorists that they were monitoring, then I don't really care how they keep tabs on them.

One shouldn't throw out oversight and checks and balances just because someone throws out the word "terrorist." If you do, the FBI can just call someone a suspected terrorist whenever they want to do something they don't have the legal authority to do.

 

[Autumnleaf]

So what? Who cares if they are monitoring people?

'Oh, but what if they did it to you!?'

If they watched me they'd be bored silly, as I often am.

I suspect people who cry the loudest about this have something they would not others to see about them. Perhaps something they should be under surveilance for?

 

[horuhe00]

So what? Who cares if they are monitoring people?

'Oh, but what if they did it to you!?'

If they watched me they'd be bored silly, as I often am.

I suspect people who cry the loudest about this have something they would not others to see about them. Perhaps something they should be under surveilance for?

I for one don't want to be suveilenced while I'm taking a bath. If they are female agents, they'd brobably have a laughing fit. :o And if it's male agents...

 

[Alarum]

We have to make sacrifices for our freedom

And the first thing up? Our freedom!

"It became necessary to destroy the village in order to save it."

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

So what? Who cares if they are monitoring people?

'Oh, but what if they did it to you!?'

If they watched me they'd be bored silly, as I often am.

I suspect people who cry the loudest about this have something they would not others to see about them. Perhaps something they should be under surveilance for?

It's prone to abuse. What happens if a corrupt agent decided they don't like you? Perhaps, you are in competition for the same person's affection, or you are competing with the agent's friend's business?

Besides, there are many things that are private but not illegal. For example, no one wants FBI agents noting the frequency one has sex with one's spouse.

 

[praying]

It's prone to abuse. .

It is against the law, period. That is the only argument that need be made.

 

[SimplyMe]

It is against the law, period. That is the only argument that need be made.

Yet we have some here that seem to be suggesting that it's a good thing they're breaking the law.

 

[Autumnleaf]

It's prone to abuse. What happens if a corrupt agent decided they don't like you? Perhaps, you are in competition for the same person's affection, or you are competing with the agent's friend's business?

There was a decent movie about this. Think Ray Liotta was in it. Anyways, if a police officer abused this authority they should be held accountable.

Besides, there are many things that are private but not illegal. For example, no one wants FBI agents noting the frequency one has sex with one's spouse.

Again, a government worker squandering time on such nonsense should be canned and given a bad reference. The main thing I'm concerned about is bad guys hiding behind a 'right to privacy' so they can do perverted things or plan terrorism with relative impunity. Most cops I know are fairly straight laced. The less than honest ones usually get identified as a round peg unable to fit the square hole and cast aside.

 

[InnerPhyre]

So what? Who cares if they are monitoring people?

'Oh, but what if they did it to you!?'

If they watched me they'd be bored silly, as I often am.

I suspect people who cry the loudest about this have something they would not others to see about them. Perhaps something they should be under surveilance for?

Ah the age old cry of the soon-to-be-oppressed...."If you're not guilty you have nothing to worry about."

I'm sure the founding fathers would be all for the idea of government monitoring whomever they choose. Aren't you?


I'm a pretty average fellow. I keep within the lines of the law (except on I-275 where I tend to speed ) and the government has nothing to fear from me....but call me oldfashioned....I don't want the government poking its nose into my personal life.