Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Military Documents Hold Tips on Antiwar Activities
An antiterrorist database used by the Defense Department in an effort to prevent attacks against military installations included intelligence tips about antiwar planning meetings held at churches, libraries, college campuses and other locations, newly disclosed documents show.
[...]
The head of the office that runs the military database, which is known as Talon, said Monday that material on antiwar protests should not have been collected in the first place.
[...]
The leader of one antiwar group mentioned repeatedly in the latest military documents provided to the A.C.L.U. said he was skeptical that the military had ended its collection of material on war protests.

“I don’t believe it,” said the leader, Michael T. McPhearson, a former Army captain who is the executive director of Veterans for Peace, a group in St. Louis.
[...]
One entry on Mr. McPhearson’s group from April 2005, for instance, described a protest at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces at which members handed out antimilitary literature and set up hundreds of white crosses to symbolize soldiers killed in Iraq.

“Veterans for Peace is a peaceful organization,” the entry said, but added there was potential that future protests “could become violent.”


"Could become violent." That's a pretty low bar to hop over. Think they could say the same thing about some of our local groups?

“The Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace is a peaceful organization,” but there is potential that future protests “could become violent.”

“The Guilderland Neighbors for Peace is a peaceful organization,” but there is potential that future protests “could become violent.”

Why stop with war protesters?

“The Dutch Settlers Society of Albany is a peaceful organization,” but there is potential that they “could become violent.”

“The Troy Irish Genealogy Society is a peaceful organization,” but there is potential that they “could become violent.”

Better track 'em, just to be sure. Oh, and if you don't want to get listed, better watch what you say over turkey dinner this Thursday. Better to just keep your mouth shut. Hold the freedom of speech, but pass the gravy.