FBI Given New Rules For Terror Probes

Rules Give FBI Broader Authority In National Security Investigations

(AP)  The Bush administration issued new rules Friday designed to allow the FBI to pursue potential national security threats with the same vigor and techniques used against common criminals. Civil libertarians said the guidelines will come at a cost to constitutional protections.

The rules, to take effect Dec. 1, are a roadmap to the FBI's transformation. The bureau made its reputation many decades ago by successfully pursuing bank robbers. The Justice Department says it wants to ensure that the FBI can now meet the biggest threats of the 21st century: national security and terrorism.

The roadmap consolidates once-separate rules for assessing threats and investigating traditional crimes and terrorism. They tell FBI agents what they can and can't do, including when to conduct surveillance, use informants and consider race or ethnicity in determining whether someone is a suspect.

While some changes were made from preliminary rules shown to reporters, lawmakers and public interest organizations, the alterations were not enough to silence critics who say the FBI will now be able to begin investigating people with no indication they did anything wrong.

Anticipating the criticism, Attorney General Michael Mukasey and FBI Director Robert Mueller issued a joint statement saying: "We are confident these guidelines will assist the FBI in carrying out its critical national security and foreign intelligence missions while also protecting privacy and civil liberties."

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was not reassured.

"I am concerned that the guidelines continue the pattern of this administration of expanding authority to gather and use Americans' private information without protections for privacy or checks to prevent abuse and misuse," Leahy said.

Three Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee asked the department to postpone the effective date until a new president takes office in January and has an opportunity to review the procedures.

"Questions still remain about why there seems to be a rush to change these procedures in the last days of this administration," Reps. John Conyers of Michigan, Robert "Bobby" Scott of Virginia, and Jerrold Nadler of New York said in a joint statement.

The three said it was unclear whether the guidelines will result in FBI agents "monitoring the religious and political activities of innocent people."

Michael German, policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union, said the Justice Department recently revised the rules to make it appear that limits have been imposed on what techniques the FBI can use to investigate demonstrations and civil disorders. He cited language elsewhere in the guidelines that appear to contradict the restrictions, saying there are no limits on the FBI's authority to investigate federal crimes or threats to national security during civil disorders or demonstrations.

Elisebeth Cook, chief of the Justice Department's Office of Legal Policy, said in an interview that several changes were made to accommodate critics' concerns and protect civil rights and liberties.

"To say we're in a brave new world, and the FBI has new ability to investigate without evidence of wrongdoing is misunderstood," she said.

Addressing concerns of racial profiling, Cook said race is only used as one factor in an investigation when it's relevant - such as describing a suspect. The guidelines cannot undercut any constitutional protections, state laws, executive orders or federal policies, Cook said.

Among the changes between a preliminary draft and the final rules:

Investigations related to civil disorders now have a time limit of 30 days. The investigations are only to determine whether the president needs to use the military.

The guidelines "cut way back," Cook said, in the types of information that can be collected in cases of civil disorders. Only four techniques will be allowed: checking public records, FBI records, other government records and online sources.

Any other methods would have to be approved by the attorney general or one of several top deputies who are confirmed by the Senate.

Language was added to say the FBI "shall" protect speech and practice of religion rights, instead of "should."

[missingamerica]

"The Justice Department says it wants to ensure that the FBI can now meet the biggest threats of the 21st century: national security and terrorism.
[...]

"Questions still remain about why there seems to be a rush to change these procedures in the last days of this administration," Reps. John Conyers of Michigan, Robert "Bobby" Scott of Virginia, and Jerrold Nadler of New York said in a joint statement."

Fortunately, in the long and storied history of the United States Department of Justice, there has never been ANY reason to doubt their integrity and adherence to our laws.

Oh, wait...until this Republican Administration, anyway.

[zietzke-2009]

A Noble British Lord once said....

1) Keep the People fearful
2) Keep the people de-moralized
3) Keep the people Broke and in debt

" This is the way to control the common man "

Bush''s new world order !....The American people voted to keep this president in for a second term....You only have yourselves to blame. The warning signs were everywhere. Now, we live in a socialist country that rewards greed and corruption in the Government and on Wall Street with a $ 700 Billion Bailout at the expense on the Ameican People.

We blew it America....WE LET THIS HAPPEN ! Now, the FBI will be making sure to further control the "common man" with more fear, lies and distortions..... WE THE PEOPLE.....WHAT A JOKE !!

LET THEM EAT CAKE.

[mcv57]

The common citizen must realize that this government deception does nothing more than take the power away from the people, and gives it to an agency riddled with political and law enforcement corruption. The FBI is self-serving and corrupt.

Bushwacker has created a new political monster which resembles the Russian KGB.

[ioweign]

If the FBI want to question you, just tell them you are a MAVERICK and you may not answer all their questions.

You already know the routine for subpoenas...

[random_radar]

"The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it''s profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way, and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theatre." --Frank Zappa 1977

[random_radar]

Destroying our Republic.
The main goal of the GOP.

Posted by WDRussell1 at 10:42 AM : Oct 04, 2008

You are right, but if you think the Democrats are not doing the same thing, you are profoundly misguided.

Our entire government is working to install themselves as a totalitarian regime. The two party system is a ruse to make you think you still have a little bit of freedom and a choice.

[jn122736]

TO Posted by jn122736 at 08:37 AM : Oct 04, 2008

Those things about guns may be cliches to you sheep who are part of the limpwristed east coast elites, be when you get a little ways west of DC they mean a lot. An you know our police, sheriffs are also citizens too and they might not be too inclined to try and take all the guns in the hands of us citizens who(some of us) served this country loyally and dont intend to roll over on the gun issue.
Posted by hhroams at 08:43 AM : Oct 04, 2008.
~~~~~~~~


Like I said, hhroams; when these new republicans no longer need your vote, they will take away your guns as easily as spanking a child.

And BTW, I live in Missouri (where I was born).
I own 2 rifles, 1 shotgun, and 1 pistol, and have over 2-dozen bass fishing trophies that are sitting under my, wall mounted, 8-point buck..

I, like most Americans, who work, pay taxes, and exercise their voting right/duty, have served my country faithfully all my life.

Unfortunately, Americans who cast their votes because of personally biased issues, like gun control or abortion, are, in effect, HELPING the Republican (corporate) controlled government destroy the country with the, Reagan initiated, policy of falsely claiming to be cutting taxes when actually they are raising taxes by simply borrowing and spending the country into bankruptcy.

Republicans will no longer need to destroy social security; there will soon be NO society to secure

[spredbury]

I read this article as just another example of the Bush/Chaney revocation of the rights of the citizens of this great country and their latest successful attempt to ignore the American constitution. I can''t understand why the FBI would not delay the implementation of these guidelines until after the election. That seems like such a common sense approach. I guess Bush and Chaney wanted to get them in place before they left town with the hope it would be harder to reverse by the new President. Lately, there are many times when I wonder why I served 20 years and my Father served 28 years in the military protecting the constitution of this country when it has become so easy for this administration to just mark the constitution as null and void. I just hope our next President will restore the constitutional rights to the citizens of this country and help heal the wounds inflicted by Mr Bush and Mr Chaney. I just fear that will not happen since the subject of constitutional rights has not been an issue during this election. It seems most citizens aren''t too concerned about this loss of our rights. Maybe we have become a country of sheep.

[wdrussell1]

Destroying our Republic.
The main goal of the GOP.

[lochlan-2009]

"the FBI will now be able to begin investigating people with no indication they did anything wrong"

It''s much more then this. They are targeting anyone who can get in the way of their agenda. If you protest their aagenda at events or even online, you will be marked and dealt with according to how much of a threat you are to stopping them and their criminal assault on Americans and freedoms around the world. This is a fight for ultimate control of every soul in this country and globaly. You all are going to be slaves, and the disidents will be dealt with. The New World Order.

[inventagod2]

invest in ammunition, citizens must remain strong

[Marie Zarankevich]

Why are we all overlooking this fact? -- Our constitution protects us from doctrines that foster violent overthrow of our government. -- Islamic doctrine states that Muslims MUST dispose of the infidels among them. -- Simple truth is that, if they are among us, we are among them. -- Their doctrine demands that they get rid of us, all of us, who do not believe in Islam. -- Why is nobody attending to this obvious problem??? -- Why is our government still accommodating organized factions of this belief system??? -- Isn''t there something terribly wrong with this picture???

[wogerwabbit]

"there are no limits on the FBI''s authority to investigate federal crimes or threats to national security during civil disorders or demonstrations"

Ah, the real reason for the treason... this has nothing to do with terrorists, WE are the targets of these expanded powers.

October''s surprise hasn''t arrived and I bet it''s a mofo. It''s gonna be an interesting month.

[gwjackie]

Check wall-street first,Whitehouse second, and the ranch we must check the ranch have not seen Cheney for a while he bought a new gun maby he put it in his mouth and pulled the trigger. O well it never hurts to hope.

[bridgetxx]

"Questions still remain about why there seems to be a rush to change these procedures in the last days of this administration," Reps. John Conyers of Michigan, Robert "Bobby" Scott of Virginia, and Jerrold Nadler of New York said in a joint statement.

Why the big rush? Is he working on a time schedule? Have something planned for sometime soon??
The world is watching!

[jn122736]

I agree that this republican Administration (Bush II) is and has been the most catastrophic in history, or at least in my lifetime. However, the police state we are rapidly becoming only accelerated since 9/11.
It became, apparent to at least some Americans, with Reagan when his administration began destroying workers unions in the name of security, i.e. the flight controllers union.

To all those who are basing their voting choices on the NRA gun issue;
In view of the disastrous results of the last 8 years of republican control, I believe the expression that best describes this is, quote; cutting your nose off to spite your face, end quote.

Once the government solidifies the police state and sets up reactionary military units inside the country to police demonstrators, et al, your rifles, shotguns and pistols will be as useless to you as bows and arrows were to the American Indians.

Taking your guns away from you will then be as easy as spanking a child. Which, ironically, is appropriate and well deserved.

I have heard many people quoting the famous clichi; they can only take my gun from my cold dead hands.

Do you think Americans may also become suicide bombers?

[pirmin3]

"...the guidelines will come at a cost to constitutional protections."

What a laugh! Bushit and his thugs have already taken most of them away. What''s left?? Vote against ALL incumbents.

[notfooled]

Welcome to 1984

Bush and his merry band of criminals are turning this country into Concentration Camp America.

Since congress see fit to sit on their hands while our rights are taken away lets

VOTE ALL INCUMBENTS OUT.

Take back the country

[tapsettle]

Rule No 1. Turn the tap off when you have finished waterboarding.

[rjsparling]

The only soldiers that have fought for America were the soldiers of the Revolutionary War. They fought for freedom from an oppressive central government and secured the freedoms that we eventually listed in the Bill of Rights. How easily the country is led to believe that protection from terrorism requires a return to a dtrong central government. I''m sure that power will not corrupt the US Government .....right.