Fusion Centers- State by State- Call to Action
Thanks to research on fusion centers by Liberty Belle and many other Dpers, I'm going to try to find out if my state of Iowa is politically profiling, just as the state of Missouri is. http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2009/cbarchive_20090327.html
This morning I printed out every relevant DP link on this topic.
From here I need to decide who to contact. My US representatives will be of zero help on this..... trust me. I don't know about my state reps. I can't trust the fusion centers in Iowa, supposedly 6 of them, to answer honestly any questions. The most promising possibilities seem to be the ACLU and the the area TV news station. Perhaps the governor's office will be of some help.The newspapers are all but out of business here. Please offer any other suggestions.
I believe this is something that we should all be looking into.... in every state. Our very rights are in jeopardy. If we don't address this, who will?
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http://www.dailypaul.com/node/87058
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/86041
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0835.pdf
http://www.aclu.org/privacy/gen/32966pub20071205.html
bump
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
-- Patrick Henry
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"How can we justify to the unemployed and underemployed in the United States the incredible cost of maintaining a global empire?" - Dr. Ron Paul
Update from Iowa
The newspaper's political reporter returned my call just now. He has no interest in doing a story on this. Still waiting on the others.
Has anyone else from Iowa
Has anyone else from Iowa written to their state representative about this yet?
VERY important bump. Just confront them on the truth. n|t
**
See "List of Questions"
in my post below and also see the ACLU link in OP is "What is wrong with Fusion Centers?"
*****
"I truly wish that real life would no longer surpass the worst excesses of my nightmarish imaginings... Arthur Silber **
"I think we are living in a world of lies: lies that don't even know they are lies, because they are the children and grandchildren of lies." ~ Chris Floyd
My letter to the Illinois State Police
Dear Illinois State Police,
After reading the MIAC report (state of Missouri), modern day militia I became concerned that Illinois might have a similar organization. In my research I came across the name STIC (Statewide Terrorism & Intelligence Center). I am concerned that this organization may be doing similar profiling of Illinois residents. It would seem that in Missouri you would get on a list as a potential terrorist for supporting third party candidates or for expressing support for the United States Constitution. It concerns me because until recently I was not even aware that it existed. This type of group has an eerie similarity to organizations such as the Gestapo, Stassi and other organs of control and oppression.
What are you up to in Springfield? Am I on your list for my third party vote?
Sincerely,
Roger Hermann
Chicago, IL
Roger Hermann
Chicago, IL
Fusion Centers~Questions to ask!!
Great letter! Copy to Governor and reps also! We all need to contact our states and keep the attention going on this!!
Questions to ask about Fusion Centers~ good list here:
http://www.aclu.org/privacy/gen/32864res20071121.html
see GAO report page 54 lists the lead agencies for each center each state then starting page 60 goes into details for each state GAO Report:
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0835.pdf
and here is a handy map to find your states centers
http://www.aclu.org/privacy/gen/fusion_map/
**There are two in Illinois- One is lead by Chicago Police Dept CPIC and the other is Illinois State Police STIC
*****
"I truly wish that real life would no longer surpass the worst excesses of my nightmarish imaginings... Arthur Silber **
"I think we are living in a world of lies: lies that don't even know they are lies, because they are the children and grandchildren of lies." ~ Chris Floyd
great work everyone!
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
-- Patrick Henry
Website:
http://www.libertypoet.com/
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/LibertyPoet
"How can we justify to the unemployed and underemployed in the United States the incredible cost of maintaining a global empire?" - Dr. Ron Paul
Update on Iowa
So far I have written the governor and my state representative. I called an area newspaper and left a message for a callback. I called a nearby TV station news department. She seemed interested and asked me to email her all of my information. She said that the whole staff will look it over.
That's it for now.
Sign me up!
Still recouperating from my weekend with MD HB 311 and a sick kid...I'm bookmarking your post and if I can figure out any way to help, I will! Feel free to email me through C4L also...
If we don't keep an eye on the legislation out there and do nothing, we deserve what we get. Vigilance...vigilance...
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.
Thomas Jefferson
Malo periculosam libertatem quam quietam servitutem. ("I prefer the tumult of liberty to the quiet of servitude"). Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 January 1787.
My letter to state congressman Wilson, MO 119
Congressman Wilson,
After reading the MIAC report, modern day militia, MIAC is acting more like Hitler’s Gestapo. MIAC should immediately disband and the people who operate that agency need to be investigated as domestic terrorist. They are using political profiling to advance the unconstitutional actions of homeland security, another federal agency that operates unconstitutionally.
Let’s get HR 212 and HCR 13 passed. People across the state are getting fed up with both the federal and the state of Missouri spying on Missouri citizens. Remember Article one section three of the Missouri constitution. “That the people of this state have the inherent, sole and exclusive right to regulate the internal government and police thereof, and to alter and abolish their constitution and form of government whenever they may deem necessary to their safety and happiness, provided such change be not repugnant to the constitution of the United States.”
Let's get MAIC abolished and investigated.
Sincerely
Patriots
needed on the inside of these fusion centers to expose the sources and types of information being disseminated. Isn't that how the MIAC report found the light of day?
National Action Plan Needed!
Yes, the Missouri doc was ONE document in ONE state that HAPPENED to be leaked. Since these centers share information nationally through at least 17 information systems ( including FBI and DHS databases) one would have to assume there are similar abusive "profiling" docs in every center!
We need an action plan to get materials out to the various law enforcement in each state and to all state legislators. We need to show there has been a gross lapse of oversight ( many cases documented thru ACLU and EPIC ) which results in breach of 1st ammendment rights & civil liberties... which can and will result in serious blowback for the state(s) including potential for numerous lawsuits, bad publicity and loss of state funding!
Gil, Read the GAO report in OP and also below.
*****
"I truly wish that real life would no longer surpass the worst excesses of my nightmarish imaginings... Arthur Silber **
"I think we are living in a world of lies: lies that don't even know they are lies, because they are the children and grandchildren of lies." ~ Chris Floyd
GAO Report on Fusion Centers (2007 )
I found this extensive report from the US Government Accountability Office to the Congressional Committees on Fusion Centers! There is alot of useful information it.. although a little dated (as there are 70 centers now! )
The DHS and DOJ provide training and agents, funnel government grants/ funds to each state but the states decide how much the centers get of the funds.
Each state may have a different "lead agency" for the fusion center in your state: example Iowa is led by the Deptartment of Public Safety in Partnership with 'Safeguard Iowa Partnership' * see Iowa page 78
See page 54 for the lead agency in each state and then page 60 for more detail on each state
See page 20 for the the all the networks these centers use for info sharing!
GAO REPORT
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0835.pdf
MAP of CENTERS
http://www.aclu.org/privacy/gen/fusion_map/
*There is so much information in this GAO report and all needs to be read to understand the complexity! ( A flow chart would be helpful!! )
*I think you will have to contact your state reps and also the governors office. The DHS is making moves to exempt these centers from FOIA in some states as the case in Virginia. story here:
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/87891
Maryland is in process of passing HB 311
Freedom of Association and Assembly Protection Act of 2009, see here:
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/87911
************
"I truly wish that real life would no longer surpass the worst excesses of my nightmarish imaginings... Arthur Silber **
"I think we are living in a world of lies: lies that don't even know they are lies, because they are the children and grandchildren of lies." ~ Chris Floyd
I on it! Thanks.
I on it! Thanks.
RealDeal ! Put the GAO link in your OP!!
It is a MUST READ for everyone to understand ..great info in there!!
This is going to take alot of both team effort and individual repsonsibility for all of us in each state ..but if we educate ourselves on it, focus and stay alert to bills that can curtail the abuses...we CAN accomplish some public awareness and protection!!
*********
"I truly wish that real life would no longer surpass the worst excesses of my nightmarish imaginings... Arthur Silber **
"I think we are living in a world of lies: lies that don't even know they are lies, because they are the children and grandchildren of lies." ~ Chris Floyd
Done. Thanks for all the
Done. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Gotcha.
—Cliff in Sioux City, Iowa
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Just found this little beauty in NJ...
Don't know if it's considered a 'fusion center' but it certainly has all the earmarks of one. Veiled by the blood of a downed state trooper (Phillip Lamonica) I guess they hoped no one would notice the oppressiveness of the facility. Operating since '07 and I just found out about it now...
http://www.officer.com/web/online/Technology/New-Jersey-State-Police-Open-The-Rock/20$34599
I may not know the truth, but I know when I'm being lied to...
I may not know the truth, but I know when I'm being lied to...
N.J. Fusion Center
Regional Operations and Intelligence Center (ROIC)
(Under the New Jersey State Police)
New Jersey State Police
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628
609-882-2000
See map for any state!
http://www.aclu.org/privacy/gen/fusion_map/
"I truly wish that real life would no longer surpass the worst excesses of my nightmarish imaginings... Arthur Silber **
"I think we are living in a world of lies: lies that don't even know they are lies, because they are the children and grandchildren of lies." ~ Chris Floyd
"The Rock"
is a Fusion Center.
I looked it up on Google, and found a press article referring to it as a "Fusion Center".
The article mainly ocused on "The Rock" as a tool to help implement gun control policy. But it also discussed its role in "information sharing".
Wouldn't it be nice if some
Wouldn't it be nice if some freedom loving employee from the Rock, leaked their profile list? Do you suppose it is the same as the report from Missouri?