F.B.I. Data Mining Reached Beyond Initial Targets - Surprise!!!

[autorank]

I just can't believe it...can you? I mean, you can't even use the damn phone without becoming
part of a "community of interest."

F.B.I. Data Mining Reached Beyond Initial Targets

http://tinyurl.com/2mhh2z">NYT
http://tinyurl.com/yuuyd">More here at CLG


By ERIC LICHTBLAU
Published: September 9, 2007

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 — The F.B.I. cast a much wider net in its terrorism investigations than it has previously acknowledged by relying on telecommunications companies to analyze phone-call patterns of the associates of Americans who had come under suspicion, according to newly obtained bureau records.

The documents indicate that the Federal Bureau of Investigation used secret demands for records to obtain data not only on individuals it saw as targets but also details on their “community of interest” — the network of people that the target was in contact with. The bureau stopped the practice early this year in part because of broader questions raised about its aggressive use of the records demands, which are known as national security letters, officials said.

The community of interest data sought by the F.B.I. is central to a data-mining technique intelligence officials call link analysis. Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, American counterterrorism officials have turned more frequently to the technique, using communications patterns and other data to identify suspects who may not have any other known links to extremists.

The concept has strong government proponents who see it as a vital tool in predicting and preventing attacks, and it is also thought to have helped the National Security Agency identify targets for its domestic eavesdropping program. But privacy advocates, civil rights leaders and even some counter terrorism officials warn that link analysis can be misused to establish tenuous links to people who have no real connection to terrorism but may be drawn into an investigation nonetheless.

[siri2k]

1. We seriously need American Revolution #2.

n/t

[autorank]

8. It already happened and we lost. Can we take it back? n/t

[siri2k]

9. I'm ready!

n/t

[knowbody0]

2. holy crap, batman!

hey sweetie, how's mikie?

[autorank]

5. Mikie is fine;)

I know you!

Can you Digg it?

[Double T]

3. bush gave inch, told them take mile.

[autorank]

6. Yep, have to do the timing. Maybe this is what freaked even Ashcroft out? n/t

[Kurovski]

4. Wh-wha...WHAT?!!!

This Sir, is America! IMPOSSIBLE, I say to you! You are speaking here of balderdash and the elves' dreams.

[autorank]

7. Like the elves dreaming of 'Chuckie"

And what will your ticket do about this, prince of all that your survey?

[Kurovski]

10. The problem simply doesn't exist!

Ask any elected Democrat!! Ask them now! Everything's fine!!! FINE!!! Don't rock the boat! However else can we win in '08 lest we do nothing whatsoever until then??!

Edit: Oh. You mean Wetzelbill/Kurovski, don't you? AT&T will be converted into a free cleaning/house repair service for the elderly and infirm of small means, and we shall make all those involved in the scandal listen to the phone calls of 13 year old suburban girls 'round the clock until insanity has been induced.

Do we have your vote?

[autorank]

14. You have my vote, my full support and my respect.

You picked the perfect punishment - listen to teen conversations, their heads will shake.

You know, once you guys get in you can just say, we're just hanging on until 2012 when nobody will
vote Republican.

Forget the makeover idea. You guys look great, I'm sure, and if not, use it as the "common touch."

[Kurovski]

15. Oh yes.

We have no problem with touching. Common or otherwise. We are fully evolved.

[kestrel91316]

11. Wow. No one could have predicted this......

[Lint Head]

12. Impeach now! This is definitely criminal. The problem is that it is

a law enforcement organization is doing it. We have been taking over by fascists. We cannot opening speak of what the Constitution says needs to be done. It is exactly like Nazi Germany in the 1930's and early 1940's. God save us. If you do not believe in God just hope for some very, very good luck. Our precious country needs it. :dem:

[bridgit]

13. get OUT!! well, i suppose if they already have the machines turned on or whatever...

a little snoop here, a little snoop there

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. Really? You don't say...

this would never happen here!!!!!!!!

IT CAN'T HAPPEN HERE!!!!!!!

Damn.

:sarcasm:

Now to the elected officials who think impeachment is off the table, how much more will it take?

Or did that net of interest include you Nancy and they are using things they heard over the wires to get you to do whatever they want?