Institutionalized Spying on Americans - by Stephen Lendman
This article reviews two police state tools (among many in use) in America. One is new, undiscussed and largely unknown to the public. The other was covered in a December article by this writer called Police State America. Here it's updated with new information.
The National Applications Office (NAO)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established a new domestic spying operation in 2007 called the National Applications Office (NOA) and described it as "the executive agent to facilitate the use of intelligence community technological assets for civil, homeland security and law enforcement purposes within the United States." The office was to begin operating last fall to "build on the long-standing work of the Civil Applications Committee (CAC), which was created in 1974 to facilitate the use of the capabilities of the intelligence community for civil, non-defense uses in the United States."
With or without congressional authorization or oversight, the executive branch is in charge and will let NAO use state-of-the-art technology, including military satellite imagery, to spy on Americans without their knowledge. Implementation is delayed, however, after Committee on Homeland Security Chairman, Bennie Thompson, and other committee members raised questions of "very serious privacy and civil liberties concerns." In response, DHS agreed to delay operating (officially) until all matters are addressed and resolved.
Given its track record post-9/11, expect little more than pro forma posturing before Congress signs off on what Kate Martin, the director of the Center for National Security Studies, calls "Big Brother in the Sky" and a "police state" in the offing.
DHS supplies this background information on NAO. Post-9/11, the Director of National Intelligence appointed an Independent Study Group (ISG) in May, 2005 to "review the current operation and future role of the (1974) Civil Applications Committee and study the current state of Intelligence Community support to homeland security and law enforcement entities."
In September 2005, the Committee produced a "Blue Ribbon Study," now declassified. Its nine members were headed by and included three Booz Allen Hamilton officials because of the company's expertise in spying and intelligence gathering. Its other members have similar experience. They all have a vested interest in domestic spying because the business potential is huge for defense related industries and consultants.
ISG members included:
Keith Hall, Chairman Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton
Edward G. Anderson LTG US Army (Ret) Principal, Booz Allen Hamilton
Thomas W. Conroy Vice President National Security Programs Northrop Grumman/TASC
Patrick M. Hughes LTG US Army (Ret) Vice President, Homeland Security L-3 Communications
Kevin O'Connell Director of Defense Group Incorporated (DGI) Center for Intelligence Research and Analysis (CIRA)
CIRA is a think tank that calls itself "the premier open source and cultural intelligence exploitation cell for the US intelligence community." Its business is revolutionizing intelligence analysis.
Jeff Baxter Independent Defense Consultant with DOD and industry ties
I am a 72 year old, retired, progressive small businessman concerned about all the major national and world issues, committed to speak out and write about them.
Every thing you do is tracked by private companies that willingly give all information they have about you in their data bases. Every credit card purchase is tracked. Your bank deposits and withdrawals are tracked. Where you live and where you travel all tracked by agents for your government.
This has been going on for so long now that the right ignored is no longer a valid right. In numerous court rulings a right not exerted is a waiver of that right. Effectively you do not have the right to privacy unless you let it be known that this is your wish.
by
Gallaher (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 493 comments)
on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 2:45:29 PM
THIS IS NEW BUT NOT NEW, AMERICA HAS PAST THE POINT OF NO RETURN, THERE IS NOTING YOU OR I CAN DO,YOU TALKED ABOUT ORGANIZED RESISTANCE, WITH WHAT YOU SAY IS GOING ON THIS IS IMPOSSABLE, GERMANY HAD THIS, BUT IT CAN HAPPEN HERE, IF RESISTANCE WHERE TO START UP IT WOULD BE LABALED A TORROREST ORG. AND WITH THE NEW LAWS OUR ELECTED OFFICALS ARE PASSING THERE WOULD BE A HOLD BUNCH OF CITIZENS IN CONISTRATION CAMPS, WITCH WE HAVE PLENTY OF. AND THIS WOULD LEAD TO THE POPULATION CONTROL, THAT THE GLOBALIST WANT. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS BY DECEPTION AND TRUSTING YOUR GOVERNMENT. THE BIGGEST DECEPTION IN THE HISTORY OF HUMANITY.
by
RICHARD SHADE (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 459 comments)
on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 3:47:08 AM
