DHS To Kill Domestic Satellite Spying

Napolitano To Nix Bush Administration Program, Funded In Obama Budget

(AP)  Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano plans to kill a program begun by the Bush administration that would use U.S. spy satellites for domestic security and law enforcement, a government official said Monday.

Napolitano recently reached her decision after the program was discussed with law enforcement officials, and she was told it was not an urgent issue, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk about it.

The program was announced in 2007 and was to have the Homeland Security Department use overhead and mapping imagery from existing satellites for homeland security and law enforcement purposes.

The program, called the National Applications Office, has been delayed because of privacy and civil liberty concerns.

The program was included in the Obama administration's 2010 budget request, according to Rep. Jane Harman, a California Democrat and House Homeland Security Committee member who was briefed on the department's classified intelligence budget.

Harman said Monday she had not been given final word that the program would be killed. She said she would talk to Napolitano on Tuesday.

Harman has been outspoken about her concerns that the program is unnecessary, far reaching and open-ended.

"I thought this was just an invitation to huge mischief," Harman said. Of killing the program, she said, "It shows real leadership on the part of Janet Napolitano."

Homeland Security spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said Napolitano began looking at the program shortly after she became secretary. Kudwa said the department expects to announce the results of that review soon.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., said he hoped the department wasn't canceling the program.

"If it is true, it's a very big mistake," said King, who is the top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee. "This is definitely a step back in the war on terror."

For years, domestic agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Interior Department have had access to this satellite imagery for scientific research, to assist in response to natural disasters like hurricanes and fires, and to map out vulnerabilities during a major public event like the Super Bowl.

Since 1974 the agency's requests satellite imagery have been made through the federal interagency group, the Civil Applications Committee.

The Bush administration, however, decided to funnel the requests through the Homeland Security Department and expand their use for homeland security and law enforcement purposes.

After receiving a letter from Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton, Napolitano decided the program should be canceled.

Bratton, in his role as head of the Major City Chiefs Association, wrote on June 21 that the program, as envisioned by the Bush administration, is not an urgent need for local law enforcement.

Instead, Bratton said, Homeland Security should focus on the fusion centers across the country and improving information-sharing with state and local officials to improve the domestic intelligence picture.

Bratton said he was unaware whether police chiefs have been consulted by Bush administration officials about the satellite program.

"To my knowledge, this is the first opportunity major law enforcement organizations have had to participate in this significant and complex initiative," he said in the letter.

[quapawsix]

Big Brother is coming don't trust them.

[democratic_1]

It is beyond my comprehension how some of the poster's on here are willing to give up their rights and freedoms. The Bush Administration really fooled you folks into giving up your rights, guaranteed by The Constitution Of The United States of America. Thanks to the wise people of the United States, who voted overwhelmingly, to elect a President, who respects the rights and responsibilities of the citizens of this once great nation. Fooled once, shame on Bush, fooled twice, shame on you believers of Bush.

[mav547166]

She only means that you cant use these sattelites until the next man made disaster. I would get upset, but I don't live in a city, and lets face it most cities voted for the liberal policies last November. Reap what you sow.

[John_Merritt]

One word sums it up perfectly 'Liars'. They will continues but it will be more clandestine.

[Mark701]

To Platteman above: Well you have all the neocon talking points down, Hannity would be proud of you. Fact is though, Bush was the guy who wanted to grant amnesty to all the illegal aliens in the country, or did you happen to forget that? As far as welfare, you've left out the welfare that Republicans ALWAYS grant to large corporations in the form or land grants for mining and oil, local, state and federal tax breaks and subsidies, monetary grants as well as a whole host of goodies negotiated with congress by their lobbyists. And lets not forget the offshore tax shelters where they can hide the profits they made with the help of US tax dollars. But wait you say they do that because corporations create jobs! Indeed they do, in China, Indonesia, Mexico and India, but NOT in the US. Do a little reading my friend before comment.

[Turbidite]

Programs such as this always seem to get abused by insiders that cannot resist snooping for their own political or professional gain. Good riddance to bad baggage.

[jsf14]

"The Bush administration, however, decided to ... expand their use for homeland security and law enforcement purposes." La enforcement purposes! I agree that drugs are a more serious danger to us than even terrorists. And of course we have to fight child abuse and exploitation. And violence of all kinds. And. And. And. Well, and violations of out liberty.

[willcad]

"Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Looking at 6" per pixel live satellite images of American backyards without warrant or probable cause is an unreasonable search.


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by IThoughtItWasFunnyAsIs June 22, 2009 7:40 PM PDT
Janet Napotalino needs to step down. She's an idiot.

The purpose was to be used for terrorists activities, DUH!

Libs are so paranoid, look how they've screeched about the Patriot Act, and yet NOBODY has knocked on your door with an illegal wire tapping warrant, or listened to you talking to your grandchildren on the freaking phone.

Libs just let themselves be lead around by whatever idiocy these commies lead them to and react....lack of education, logic, and free thinking skills is sadly lacking in the liberal mind.

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The purpose of this program is to use it on fishing expeditions to search for "whatever" without warrant or probable cause. DUH!

Nobody "knocks on your door with an illegal wiretapping warrant." They don't GET warrants to tap your phones any more - ever hear of the Warrantless Wire Tapping Program? - and when they tap your phones they don't knock on your door and tell you about it. DUH!

I'm not a Liberal, I'm a Libertarian - I believe in the rights and freedoms guaranteed to us by the Constitution, and I don't think they should be stripped away in a fit of fear. It's those who cry "Terrorist!" at every opportunity who are being paranoid; they are allowing their fear of terrorist attack cow them into handing over their most cherished rights and freedoms to a government that has a terrible record of preventing abuse of power.

And as to lack of education, try reading your own post. The grammatical errors are rampant and sad.

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by platteman June 23, 2009 3:49 AM PDT
George W. Bush looks a whole lot better than the dolt we have in the WH now. Soon we will have half of Mexico in the USA and the liberals will have a built in majority no matter what. Welfare for those who won't work, welfare for the unions, welfare for car companies and welfare for all the other people who are too lazy to work. Can't blame them, why work when the govt will take care of you for life like France. Viva la France, oh what they don't want burkas. opps.
Reply to this comment

by skyk-2009 June 23, 2009 3:57 AM PDT
Slowly, as with everything this President does, we are returning to a Free Nation. Feels good!

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I don't know what article you guy read, but the one I just read doesn't mention the President at all. It mentions Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and several Congress people, but Obama is not directly involved with this story at all.

[zwooten727]

I still believe that Bush and Cheney should be tried as War Criminals myself. They undermined every fundamental belief in this country.

[skyk-2009]

Slowly, as with everything this President does, we are returning to a Free Nation. Feels good!

[iam4honesty]

It still amazes me how much Bush was able to destroy and how far he was able to take us toward a dictatorship in just eight years. I thought our democracy was more rigid than that. Thank God enough people awakened before it was too late! Now we have begun the long road back to freedom and democracy, this will take time.

[platteman]

George W. Bush looks a whole lot better than the dolt we have in the WH now. Soon we will have half of Mexico in the USA and the liberals will have a built in majority no matter what. Welfare for those who won't work, welfare for the unions, welfare for car companies and welfare for all the other people who are too lazy to work. Can't blame them, why work when the govt will take care of you for life like France. Viva la France, oh what they don't want burkas. opps.

[democratic_1]

Can you count how many rich republicans are getting a government handout? I thought you couldn't, as the number is higher than most republicans can count. There are more republicans receiving welfare than there are democrats.

[albert571]

Can you say Google Earth? She just saved the US taxpayer millions of $$.But there are a few cavemen out there who don't know how to use their computers(take a lesson).Dumbocrats are on a spending spree!

[stn_sage]

It probably represents duplication of equipment that one of the U.S. spy agencies has already been using for years! And, if they need to, they'll just make that agency "share"! In other words, they just decided they didn't want to waste the money on this because it would be a "real" waste!

Look, not every spy/security agency needs "it's" own satellites, OK?!
They're wasting a ton of money duplicating equipment---and it would seem
'mission statements'! If that's the case, some of them can be shut down!

Hence, the reason to maintain separate identities & mission statements!

The main threat against this country can be spotted (and dealt with)
without the need for any satellites!

[Illuminated1]

I have alot of doubts when it comes to the government following the constitution these days....therefore I doubt this story too.

[riob678]

Republican philosophy prior to Newt Gingrich, Dick Armey, Dan Quayle, Family Values and the now infamous 'Contract' promoted less government control over Americans' lives, not more. No real republican (lowercase 'r' intended) would be opposed to the cessation of wholesale spying on persons within our borders. Personal freedoms must prevail over hysterical paranoia.

[babooph]

The republican peeping toms have yet to grow up-is that why they chase after little boys ? Are they so afraid of the public,they must watch their every move? What disgusting other behavior are they afraid the public will catch them & punish them for??The propaganda system protects them from investigations ,unless they lose control & pix get out,or police reports.

[kansas1946]

"I thought this was just an invitation to huge mischief," Harman said. Of killing the program, she said, "It shows real leadership on the part of Janet Napolitano."

Homeland Security spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said Napolitano began looking at the program shortly after she became secretary. Kudwa said the department expects to announce the results of that review soon.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., said he hoped the department wasn't canceling the program.

"If it is true, it's a very big mistake," said King, who is the top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee. "This is definitely a step back in the war on terror."
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My God. Is there not one civil liberty, constitutional protection, privacy issue, that Republicans don't hate. They act like they are so patriotic and love the priciples that this country was founded on and then attack everything this country stands for. They are nothing but bullies, control freaks, and moral reprobates. They make me ill.

[zwooten727]

Amen, Our forefathers fought the most important war on our continent. The American Revolution and established a Constitution and later a Bill of Rights. Our country is based around them. It is interesting to know that the conservative right and religous right are the biggest proponents of the trashing of your civil rights and would you believe torture. I guess it is ok to torture if you are Godly. Quite Christian wouldnt you say

[mnbrant]

I just went to the DHS website and funny thing was that there was no mention of this. Someone should tell them or something. As far as the DHS spying into my bedroom with their heat sensing satellites to get nude pics of my hot wife, All of us people with hotsy totsy wives will breath a sigh of relief thanks to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Rep. Jane Harman, a California Democrat and House Homeland Security Committee member who was briefed on the department's classified intelligence budget. Thanks for reading

[lloydbest1]

My take on this is the program is not going to be cancelled but, instead, returned for the purposes intended; monitoring weather disasters, forest fires, traffic patterns, and signs of climate change.

The satellites will remain in orbit. They will continue to gather data. The mapping and imagery gathered will still be analysed. It simply won't be used to catch "terrists" and other undesirables, a job this system was ill suited to do anyway.

And, enriquieGonzales and IThoughtItWasFunnyAsIs...Just so you know. If Ms. Napolitano restricts the National Applications Office to the observations outlined above, that also means we won't be monitoring right wing hacks and christo-facist maniacs whom I consider far more dangerous than a bunch of rag headed bufoons who would stick out like so many sore thumbs even without the satellite observance.

[mnbrant]

Hey I represent that remark!

[TPS2]

Do you mean like the rag headed buffons who stuck out on 9-11?

[imnho]

this is not a good use of a very important asset. It would open the door to domestic uses that would violate the rights of the citizens of this country. It smacks too much of big brother watching.