Beginning with the FBI’s inception in the early 1900’s, Powers’ book moves through the FBI’s “witch hunts” against “whomever might be the public enemy of the day.” There was the “White Slavery Scare,” which was embarked upon due to a racist fear by Whites about the increasing power of Blacks, the “Adultery Scare,” and the notorious “Red Scare,” among others.
Today, a substantial number of people feel the Patriot Act is used for political reasons, and the ACLU charges that the FBI is spying on and examining the records of thousands of law-abiding US citizens. Andy says these allegations are untrue and that the Bureau supports free speech and lawful protest. He adds that simply tapping a phone takes excessive manpower; therefore, would only be reserved for someone who is a substantial threat.
My third suggestion was that law enforcement officers make good “situation ethics” decisions. Even though Andy insisted laws are not malleable, I know there is always the exercise of discretion and could tell lecture attendees agreed by their nodding heads. I pointed out situations in which police officers have leeway to make decisions that directly affect the life or safety of animals.
For example, during the Katrina disaster, some officers allowed people to evacuate with their animals; others did not. At a burning apartment building in Tennessee in 2003, police and firefighters refused to allow a man to rescue his trapped dog who was clawing at the glass of a sliding door. The man eventually ignored law enforcement’s orders and rescued his dog. He was handcuffed and charged with misdemeanors, outraging the public and arguably tarnishing the reputation of local law enforcement. If the man’s two-year-old daughter had been clawing at the glass, would law enforcement have told him to “stand back and let the child die?”
As a finale to my lecture, I questioned why the only difference between a criminal and a terrorist--according to the US Code of Federal Regulations as listed on the FBI website--relates to the latter’s desire to further “political or social objectives.” The word “terrorist” evokes the image of an evil person while the word “criminal” has a less pejorative connotation, even when the offenses are the same.
One can only assume that “furthering political or social objectives” frightens those in power, who crave to maintain the status quo. Perhaps those who control society—such as corporations, government entities and media conglomerates--fear the ideology of an animal liberationist could catch hold and topple them from their golden thrones, reducing their animal product profits and a overturning a lifestyle which requires nonhumans be seen as means to a human end. Is this the true reason behind branding the ALF as “terrorists?”
After the lecture, Andy asked me, “Could you come back and speak again?”
“I doubt it. Unfortunately, I don’t fare well on long plane rides.”
He added, “Well, maybe you could give me the name of someone who could.”
I grinned and replied, “I knew you’d ask me to name names. I have no choice but to report this in my secret file.”
Charlotte Laws, Ph.D. is an author, columnist and member of the Greater Valley Glen Council in Southern California. She is a former Los Angeles Commissioner and is the host of the TV show "Uncommon Sense." Laws is the president of two animal organizations: The League for Earth & Animal Protection and The Directors of Animal Welfare. In addition to her doctorate from the University of Southern California, Charlotte holds two Master's Degrees and completed post-doctoral study at Oxford University, England. Charlotte's articles have appeared in Newsweek, The Los Angeles Times, The Daily News et al. She has appeared on the following television shows: Larry King Live, The Late Show, Fox News, Oprah Winfrey, etc. Feel free to post comments on her blog.
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