The NIE says that leftist internet users are a major threat

[LiviaOlivia]

http://glenngreenwald.blogspot.com/2006/09/democrats-and-torture-bill.html

~snip~

It really is odd and disturbing, as well as potentially quite dangerous, that the declassified NIE on the "Trends on Global Terrorism" focuses exclusively on Islamic terrorists -- except for the last section which conspicuously identifies "leftist" groups which use the Internet as a serious terrorist threat (h/t Sysprog). Odder still, it makes no mention at all of right-wing, anti-government movements (such as, say, the one that spawned Timothy McVeigh, an actual terrorist).

~snip~



Sysprog posted:

The NIE says that leftist internet users are a major threat to national security.

Anti-US and anti-globalization sentiment is on the rise and fueling other radical ideologies. This could prompt some leftist, nationalist, or separatist groups to adopt terrorist methods to attack US interests. The radicalization process is occurring more quickly, more widely, and more anonymously in the Internet age, raising the likelihood of surprise attacks by unknown groups whose members and supporters may be difficult to pinpoint.

That paragraph of the NIE is an amalgam equating leftists, nationalists, anti-globalization activists, etc., with fundamentalist Islamic terrorism.

If the suspension of habeas corpus, the spread of state terror through the use of torture, and the labelling of U.S. citizens as "combatants" isn't enough, this quote should remind us of how the government is thinking of handling those who criticize the Decider's dictates.

http://www.haloscan.com/comments/glenngreenwald/115936777681227714/#32779

[NVMojo]

1. Now we know why they want our internet records ....

[hpot]

4. ..and building detention camps all aorund the US

[MGD]

18. & seek the power to imprison & torture anyone they define as a terrorist.

[rodeodance]

2. I think most knew this-yet it is chilling to see it the NIE.

[Touchdown]

3. They did mention right wing groups.

Nationalist and Separatist (the McVeigh type) are in there. What isn't in there are racist/neo nazi orgs and Army of God type violent anti abortion groups, and they should also be.

What we need is to know how they define "leftist". Is it communist, or merely liberal?:shrug:

Of course it might be a moot point, since we're talking about Big Brother, and this list shouldn't exist in the first place.

[Julius Civitatus]

20. Anyone to the left of Limbaugh is a "commie" to these people

and I truly believe they would send us to camps if they could.

That provision is potentially very dangerous, and it does lump lefty web user with radical islamists. That is a horrible, unfair, and insane equation.

[peacetalksforall]

5. And they did not mention Cuban-American terrorists - CIA

authorized and assisted. They don't even provide an update on the status of protection they are providing these Cuban-American terrorists. They've been protected for decades - these terrorists blew a commercial aircraft out of the sky as one of the acts of their CIA approved and assisted war against Castro while enjoying the privileges of residency and citizenship. These terrorists are sitting in Florida - with Jeb and George Bush protecting them from extradition for court proceedings.

Now is this the kind of left wing internet use that they are protesting? Or is this a reminder of the hypocrisy that exists in this administration and is not acknowledged?

[sinkingfeeling]

6. Gee, there have been many attacks from RW groups already.

[Smarmie Doofus]

7. What or who is NIE? nt

[peacetalksforall]

9. National Intelligence Estimate - a part of NSC - National

Security Council. There are probably more than a dozen different N acronyms for all the divisions of the Council - if I understand it right.

[LiviaOlivia]

8. More from Greenwald

The intelligence report cites "leftist" groups as a terror threat
Glenn Greenwald
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2006/09/27/leftists/index.html

The now-declassified summary of the National Intelligence Estimate (PDF) on "Trends on Global Terrorism" focuses almost exclusively on Islamic extremists. But inserted at the very end is this one overlooked, though seemingly quite important, passage that identifies other terrorist threats:

Anti-U.S. and anti-globalization sentiment is on the rise and fueling other radical ideologies. This could prompt some leftist, nationalist, or separatist groups to adopt terrorist methods to attack US interests. The radicalization process is occurring more quickly, more widely, and more anonymously in the Internet age, raising the likelihood of surprise attacks by unknown groups whose members and supporters may be difficult to pinpoint." ... "We judge that groups of all stripes will increasingly use the Internet to communicate, propagandize, recruit, train and obtain logistical and financial support."

.

Prior to 9/11, the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil was in Oklahoma City, where Timothy McVeigh blew up a federal building in pursuit of his right-wing, anti-federal-government agenda. But there is nothing in the NIE findings about right-wing or anti-government groups. Instead, there is a rather stark warning about the danger of "leftist" groups using the Internet to engage in terrorist attacks against the United States. Is there any basis at all for that warning?

There have been scattered reports over the last several years that the Bush administration's anti-terrorism programs have targeted domestic political groups solely because such groups espouse views contrary to the administration's. That this claim about "leftist" terrorist groups made it into the NIE summary is particularly significant in light of the torture and detention bill that is likely soon to be enacted into law. That bill defines "enemy combatant" very broadly (and the definition may be even broader by the time it is enacted) and could easily encompass domestic groups perceived by the administration to be supporting a "terrorist agenda."

Similarly, the administration has claimed previously that it eavesdrops on the conversations of Americans only where there is reasonable grounds (as judged by the administration) to believe that one of the parties is affiliated with a terrorist group. Does that include "leftist" groups that use the Internet to organize? This NIE finding gives rise to this critical question: Are "leftist" groups one of the principal targets on the anti-terrorism agenda of the Bush administration, and if so, aren't the implications rather disturbing?

~snip~

[OneBlueSky]

10. translation: the First Amendment is a terrorist threat . . .

and if you don't think this is part of the BushCo mindset, you're not paying sufficient attention . . .

[ROakes1019]

11. leftist

I think it refers to leftist groups in other countries. For instance, communists are often called leftist, as is Castro and Chavez. Leftist are any groups that oppose extreme right-wing idealogues.

[Subdivisions]

12. I wonder if freepers would support *co if he decided the Internet

was a danger to our freedoms.

[madmusic]

13. A link to the actual report?

Or did I miss it?

[LiviaOlivia]

16. See my post at #8

PDF link provided.

[madmusic]

17. Thanks.

[lpbk2713]

14. Which explains the cozy relationship the telcos have with the feds.

The telcos can get what ever they want out of the govt and this is why. It's a reciprocal arrangement.

[BelgianMadCow]

15. Chilling - see also this earlier thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2228933&mesg_id=2228933

[me b zola]

19. Internet war games

Here's a post where I briefly discussed this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2225845&mesg_id=2225845

[populistdriven]

21. This isn't true, But it will be after they steal Nov 06 and start Iran War

Its all part of the plan.

The resulting massive protests will be met with an equally massive top secret counterprotest(terrorism) program designed to setup the liberal protestors as terrorists so they can use severe measures to control the streets. I bet they already have plans to stage fake liberal terrorist attacks.

Certainly any retaliation by iran as terrorism inside the US will be linked to liberal groups.

Prediction- The next NIE will lay groundwork for Iran War.

"WHO HERE AT DU IS AN IRANIAN SYMPATHIZER?" we will be foxnewsed to death by all the corporate networks

This will effectively neutralize any opposition because the population will turn against liberals after being foxnewsed into believing that iranian retaliation attacks are linked to liberals who are against the war.

the question is, what measures are being taken by the Dem leadership to stop this? If nothing is done we will be in another war with public opinion firmly behind the Repukes again.

They neocons probably believe that this is the only way out for them.

Start another war, setup anti-war liberals as terrorist sympathizers (and by extension all Democrats), win back public opinion in support of the Neocons.

The Democratic leadership better realize that there is no way in hell they will be able to separate themselves from the antiwar liberals if we find ourselves in a war with Iran and there are retaliatory terrorist attacks inside the US. The only possible thing that will work is for the leadership to go on the attack now like Bill has to expose the Neocons.

[hunter]

22. Leftism will be break out spontaneously once these right wing monkeys...

... crash the economy.

Take all that imported stuff off the shelves of Wal-Mart and the average American is going to be singing Woody Guthrie.

This machine kills fascists.

[chill_wind]

23. The declassified version says this? Now we know why BushCo

was all too happy to selectively share their favorite parts.

[snot]

24. Reminds me of a v. DISTURBING story on BBC

within the last few weeks . . . the entire story fixated on "How can we stop terrorists from using the internet?" -- never once asking whether we SHOULD be so concerned about stopping them from using the internet, any more than we should stop them from using the phone, the mail, the streets, etc.

[htuttle]

25. They're past 'ignoring us' ...

...they're somewhere between 'making fun of us' and 'fighting us'.

The worst is yet to come, but hold fast! After that, we win.

Maybe.