Umm, why do I have to read an Australian Newspaper to learn that the FBI stood idly by while innocent people were sentenced to death? Aha. Here's the same story in the New York Times.
So, when people say to you, "I'm not concerned about the FBI having greater powers, because I've got nothing to hide." Be sure to respond, "I would agree with you were it not for history. If they had not abused their powers in the past, then perhaps we could trust them not to abuse them now. But they did abuse their powers then and so there's no reason to allow that to happen again."
Posted by Brian at November 24, 2003 10:27 PM | TrackBacknothing new about this. remember that the whole enterprize was invented by j edgar hoover, a notoriously vain man who kept power to himself through the very same methods as his advasaries. at hthe same time he refused to recognize organized crime until a state cop from new york found them in appalacia. ,and he still kept on dealing with them.the fbi is so rampantly vain about thier self image they dont find any thing wrong within themselves to fix. the list goes on and on. yes, its true that they protect murderers, drug salesmen, spies,etc. they also have a dossier on every politician in washington which you could call insurance policies against interference. when the fbi wants someone, they will invent everything they need to win, and burn the rest.
Posted by: marvin at November 25, 2003 03:43 PM