FBI is watching
The FBI collected detailed data on political activities and Web postings of suspected members of a tiny commune in southern California two years ago as part of a high-profile counterterrorism probe.
This was done as part of stepped-up monitoring of domestic political activity by FBI counter-terror agents.
When ELF launched arson attacks on four Hummer dealers, the case was considered serious enough that Director Robert Mueller briefed President Bush.
Supposedly tipped off by a neighbor to "suspicious" activity, FBI agents arrested 27 yr old Josh Connole at gunpoint on Sept. 12, 2003, then raided the commune. After being interrogated and held for four days, he was released.
Agents placed the commune under surveillance and developed a political profile of the residents, discovering the owner of the house and his father "have posted statements on websites opposing the use of fossil fuels," another says the owner had ties to a local chapter of Food Not Bombs, an "anarcho-vegan food distribution group." Among activities flagged in bureau docs: the father of the owner had conducted a "one man' daily protest" outside a Toyota office, was interviewed for an article called "Dude, Where's my Electric Car!?" and posted info on a Web site announcing "Stop Norway Whaling!"
(stolen from Newseek 21Nov05)
This was done as part of stepped-up monitoring of domestic political activity by FBI counter-terror agents.
When ELF launched arson attacks on four Hummer dealers, the case was considered serious enough that Director Robert Mueller briefed President Bush.
Supposedly tipped off by a neighbor to "suspicious" activity, FBI agents arrested 27 yr old Josh Connole at gunpoint on Sept. 12, 2003, then raided the commune. After being interrogated and held for four days, he was released.
Agents placed the commune under surveillance and developed a political profile of the residents, discovering the owner of the house and his father "have posted statements on websites opposing the use of fossil fuels," another says the owner had ties to a local chapter of Food Not Bombs, an "anarcho-vegan food distribution group." Among activities flagged in bureau docs: the father of the owner had conducted a "one man' daily protest" outside a Toyota office, was interviewed for an article called "Dude, Where's my Electric Car!?" and posted info on a Web site announcing "Stop Norway Whaling!"
(stolen from Newseek 21Nov05)
posted by shane at 5:19 PM
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