According to The Washington Post, an internal audit at the FBI shows that "the bureau potentially violated the law or agency rules more than 1,000 times while collecting data about domestic phone calls, e-mails and financial transactions in recent years, far more than was documented in a Justice Department report in March that ignited bipartisan congressional criticism." The full story is here.
Bonus link: Get Grandpa's FBI File.
G-Men Hit 1k
Comments to "G-Men Hit 1k":
The article pretty much concludes that it was all just a matter of ignorance of the law and that there was no intent to abuse the NSLs or to exploit the tendency of the recipients to send more information than was requested. Considering how big of a break they always cut us civilians when it comes to ignorance of the law, we should really give them a free pass on this one, right?
libertreee | June 14, 2007, 11:02am | #
We really shouldn't blame them just because they are too incompetent to follow their own administrative procedures, right?Neu Mejican | June 14, 2007, 12:33pm | #
I am always surprised that these stories don't generate more discussion on H&R...Seems like the most direct threat to liberty these days.
Lamar | June 14, 2007, 12:42pm | #
Neu Mejicano:How many different ways can we possibly say "I told you so"?
Eric the .5b | June 14, 2007, 3:01pm | #
Or "Those assholes"?Neu Mejican | June 14, 2007, 3:26pm | #
Lamareric/2B
Sure sure, I think that might be it... but maybe discussion could move in the "what to do about it" direction.
TrickyVic | June 14, 2007, 4:30pm | #
What they are saying is that this subject is like beating a dead horse. We talk and talk about it and many of the H&R regulars have nothing left to say. Uncheck power will expand. People will violate laws for which they will not be punished.So the question is "what to do about it"? There is little we can do as citizens, and our government will do less, mostly from the fact that restricting intelligence capibilities is so pre 9/11. Congress is charged with oversight, but when have they done that job worth a damn?
It is easy to ignore why restrictions were placed on the FBI in the first place. But I can tell you it starts with an A and ends with a BUSE.
Eric the .5b | June 14, 2007, 4:40pm | #
N&M: No can do. Wanting the government to obey the law is a kooky, idealistic, absolutist demand, and we wouldn't inflict that on you...