Pentagon to Rebuild Data Base on People “of Interest”
The Pentagon wants to create another unit to keep records on a whole range of people.
The unit is called the Foreign Intelligence and Counterintelligence Operation Records.
The Pentagon says it is seeking records on “individuals involved in, or of interest to, DoD intelligence, counterintelligence, counterterrorism and counternarcotic operations or analytical projects, as well as individuals involved in foreign intelligence and/or training activities.”
All this came out in a Pentagon filing with the Federal Register on June 15.
For the most part, this language seems designed to cover people working for or with the Pentagon. But it also includes anyone “of interest to” the Pentagon’s intelligence operations, which could mean just about anybody.
And it appears especially concerned with “breaches of security related to DoD controlled information or facilities.”
According to the Washington Post, this may be a successor to the Pentagon’s notorious Talon program, which ended up collecting records on nonviolent U.S. citizens who were simply exercising their First Amendment rights.
This effort may also be related to the Pentagon’s concern about the people behind Wikileaks or to protesters at Pentagon facilities.
Under this new operation, the Pentagon could get your Social Security number, your phone number, your license plates, your passport number, your citizenship status, and your biometric data.
This new intelligence gathering operation is set to begin on July 15, unless there’s enough public outcry.
Matthew Rothschild is the editor of The Progressive magazine.
- Login or register to post comments
- Printer-friendly version
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
CURRENT ISSUE: JUNE 2012
Cecile Richards
| "Millions of women are counting on us for care. And if we're gone, there's no one else there," says the head of Planned Parenthood.
What's at Stake in Wisconsin
Much more than Scott Walker's future hangs in the balance.
The Mother of Midwifery
Eleanor J. Bader | Ina May Gaskin has delivered more than 1,200 babies and revolutionized the field.
Scott Walker, the Monster.
See more at http://www.zinasaunders.com -- On June 5th, the voters of Wisconsin will decide whether to recall Scott Walker, the monster created by an unholy alliance between the radical right and big business, who has made attacking unions the hallmark of his administration. Cover for The Progressive magazine June 2012: http://www.progressive.org
Come to Progressive Talks and Events
June 4, Madison, WI
Terry Tempest Williams on "The Power of Voice"
Ruth Conniff and Matthew Rothschild on
"What's at Stake in the Recall."
5:30-7:30 pm at the Lakeside St. Coffee House, 402 W. Lakeside St, Madison.
It's a fundraiser for The Progressive. Contributions are tax-deductible.
If you can't make it but would like to contribute anyway, please send your check to The Progressive, 409 E. Main St., Madison, WI 53703.
Comments
I applaud the Progressive for carrying this story (I have to say, I'm shocked), but in the ways pointed out by the people below me, this entire article is so typical of the Progressive.
If the Pentagon was doing this under the Bush administration, the headline would undoubtedly (and deservedly!) read "Bush administration to build database."
Greg Morris is right, Obama has complete authority to block this if he wanted to. And yet, he refuses. Why?
And most importantly, why does the Progressive not question Obama's decision to not block this? Why does Obama get special treatment by this magazine for things that the magazine historically condemned?
Under the leadership of Matthew Rothschild, this once-proud magazine has turned into an absolute rag. Robert La Follette would be ashamed of what it has become.