Now that this unconstitutional surveillance effort has been revealed, the government should end it and disclose its full scope, and Congress should initiate an investigation. This disclosure also highlights the growing gap between the public's and the government's understandings of the many sweeping surveillance authorities enacted by Congress.
Like so many post-9/11 surveillance laws passed under the vague guise of "national security," the policies of the U.S. government violate the civil liberties of ordinary Americans that should be guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and other laws.
The Senate report and the activity of fusion centers makes it clear that these facilities are designed to spy on American citizens, invading their privacy while doing nothing to stop terrorism. The request by the NSA to monitor the phone records of Verizon customers is only one pixel in a part of a much larger picture.
Many of the newly reborn proponents of civil liberties and constitutional rights were silent when those freedoms were being trampled upon as congress was running all over each other to let them be taken away shortly after 9/11. Now, our "news" is filled with "scandals" when the real things that Americans should be concerned about are ex post facto.
This is yet more evidence that America is turning from a democracy or constitutional republic into a corporate fascist state. Just look at the 14 defining characteristics of fascism and decide for yourself.
Sources:
Madison Independent Examiner -- Fusion centers: Invading your privacy at your expense
EFF -- Senate report on fusion centers
Senate report on state and local fusion centers
Senate report on fusion centers (pdf)
American Civil Liberties Union
ACLU -- Michelle Richardson's statement
Madison Independent Examiner -- 14 defining characteristics of fascism
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