As I said several years ago, this is gonna get ugly. From yesterday's news:
Pennsylvania made national news in September for all the wrong reasons.
The Patriot-News reported that Pennsylvania’s Office of Homeland Security had been tracking groups engaged in lawful, peaceful protests, including groups opposed to natural gas drilling, peace activists and gay rights groups. An embarrassed Gov. Ed Rendell, who said that he had been unaware of the program until he read the newspaper, issued an immediate order to halt it.
It turns out the homeland security office or its private consultant were doing more than just monitoring law-abiding citizens.
They were comparing environmental activists to Al Qaeda.
They were tracking down protesters and grilling their parents.
They were seeking a network of citizen spies to combat the security threats they saw in virtually any legal political activity.
And they were feeding their suspicions not only to law enforcement, but to dozens of private businesses from natural gas drillers to The Hershey Co.
Read the rest of the story here. It's a long read, and your blood may reach the boiling point, but I'd recommend all fellow bloggers take note of this one quote, among others:
“The Internet is an incredible force multiplier — example: I doubt that the Rainforest Action Network or the Ruckus Group number more than 25 people each. But they have incredible reach, sophistication, and influence on local groups.”
Perelman immediately followed with this description: “Shades of Al Qaeda!”
So there you have it, folks. The blip on the radar screen that made the news a few months back was far deeper and far wider than we first imagined. By our own government, and exercising rights guaranteed under our own Constitution, we who choose to speak out in an effort to protect our natural resources are being labeled as terrorists/anarchists akin to Al Qaeda.
And as the article notes, PA Senator Lisa Baker's "one and done" hearing into this matter left many questions unanswered, including what our next Governor knew about this activity.
Anyway...Happy Monday.
The Ultimate Terrorist?
Note subversive "We the People" message on hat, dark clothing and sunglasses, and Cheney-like sneer. Also, subject is facing Mecca. Definitely a cell leader.
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