My apologies for this short and emotional rant - but this news item borders on the obscenely stupid.
I received the below FBI alert in the mail earlier today. Granted, Homeland Security has been a joke since the phrase was invented on September 12, 2001 -- but this goes beyond a joke and past 'pathetic' into the downright embarassing stage. Today, the FBI is alerting people to be on the lookout for anyone suspicious-like who is using an almanac or other regional reference book. Huh? Are we presuming every tourist (even if they come from the next state over) is a potential terrorist because they're admiring our landmarks while reading (and looking up) from publicly-available guidebooks? After today, heaven help them if they're caught taking an "I Was Here" photograph with the Space Needle or Golden Gate Bridge in the background and happen to talk with a heavy regional dialect from another part of the country while holding a Fodor's Guide. As the bulletin reads, "Investigation has revealed" this activity might be useful to a terrorist. How long until their investigations reveal that anyone with a modicum of common sense could do damage to this country (or another person) provided they have the intent? This isn't exactly rocket science, you know. This is the latest example of Homeland Insecurity in action. First they monitored SCUBA schools for terrorists. Then USA PATRIOT gave them permission to monitor libraries and bookstores for potential terrorists. And now this. What's next? I'm wondering when "beware of anyone who thinks independently and exercises common sense" becomes a FBI advisory. That also could point to possible terrorist planning and alleged anti-American actions (such as voting other than Republican next November. ) Given how things are going since September 11, 2001, the cynical part of me thinks such an advisory isn't that far away from being issued by John Ashcroft himself as another "tool" for law enforcement to use in the "war" on terror. After all, if you're against him, he says, you're aiding "them." I'm wondering -- to do our patriotic bit in the "War" on Terror and further increase our homeland security posture, should we start burning books that might aid a terrorist? We could start with the Fodors Guides and then move on to the Rand McNally map books, AAA and Michelin travel guides, and ultimately, the Farmer's Almanac. Depending on how the public opinion polls turn out, we could then burn all chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering books that could fall into the hands of anyone who's not a third-generation American citizen and a registered Republican. (Pornography will be burned separately in a private ceremony administered by the White House Faith Based Programs Office.) Finally, I think it's hysterical that the FBI has the audacity to deem this "Law Enforcement Sensitive" and request it not be transmitted in public forums, websites, or to the media. Of course not - if that happened, people might begin to wonder what kind of incompetence our tax dollars are paying for, as evidenced by this "intelligence" bulletin that displays anything but sound intelligence. (FYI, I talk more about Homeland Insecurity items like this in my September 2003 book, "Weapons of Mass Delusion" -- information available at my website.) The question remains: When will our leaders realize that knowledge is a two-edged sword? Knowledge - like anything else made by man, such as airplanes or guns or cryptography or the internet - is not inherently dangerous. What makes such things dangerous is when they're used for malicious purposes. Unfortunately, this fundamental truism of security analysis escapes many charged with our nation's defense and public safety -- as this FBI bulletin clearly shows. Sorry to end 2003 on a sour note, but this was too disturbing to pass up. Rick -infowarrior.org Item 1: The AP Story FBI urges police to watch for people carrying almanacs TED BRIDIS, Associated Press Writer Monday, December 29, 2003 sfgate.com/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2003/12/29/national1426EST0580.DTL Item #2: The FBI "Intelligence" Bulletin: FBI Intelligence Bulletin No. 102 FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT USE ONLY TO: Law Enforcement Agencies FROM: FBI Counterterrorism Division December 24, 2003 Threat Level: Orange (High). THE FBI INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN, DISSEMINATED ON A WEEKLY BASIS, PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH CURRENT, RELEVANT TERRORISM INFORMATION DEVELOPED FROM COUNTERTERRORISM INVESTIGATIONS AND ANALYSIS. THE INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN DOES NOT CONTAIN THREAT WARNING INFORMATION. HANDLING NOTICE: Recipients are reminded that the Intelligence Bulletin is designated "Law Enforcement Sensitive" and should not be disseminated beyond law enforcement circles. ITEM I: HSAS THREAT LEVEL RAISED TO ORANGE (HIGH) On December 21, 2003, the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) threat level was raised from Yellow (Elevated) to Orange (High), the second highest level on the HSAS, which characterizes the terrorist threat based on a five-tier scale of threat conditions and corresponding colors: Low (Green), Guarded (Blue), Elevated (Yellow), High (Orange), and Severe (Red). The U.S. Intelligence Community has received a substantial increase in the volume of threat related intelligence reports. Reliable sources suggest the possibility of attacks against the United States by early 2004 that could possibly rival the terrorist attack of September 11 in scope and impact. An FBI Counterterrorism Division communication disseminated via the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System on December 21 provides general guidelines relating to countermeasures law enforcement agencies can adopt in response to the heightened threat condition. Law enforcement agencies are encouraged to remain alert to possible indicators of terrorist planning and to report suspicious activity immediately to the nearest FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. ITEM II: POTENTIAL TERRORIST USE OF ALMANACS Investigation has revealed that terrorist operatives may rely on almanacs to assist with target selection and pre-operational planning. Almanacs, available both in print and online, provide comprehensive information on a variety of topics, including government, geography, vital statistics, the economy, health matters, science and technology, weather trends, and tourism. Information commonly found in almanacs that may be exploited for terrorist use includes profiles of U.S. cities and states and information on geographic and structural features such as waterways, bridges, dams, reservoirs, tunnels, buildings, and landmarks. This information is often accompanied by photographs and maps. The use of almanacs or maps may be the product of legitimate recreational or commercial activities; however, when combined with suspicious behavior or other information such as evidence of surveillance activities, these indicators may point to possible terrorist planning. The practice of researching potential targets is consistent with known methods of Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations that seek to maximize the likelihood of operational success through careful planning. During the course of authorized searches, traffic stops, and other contacts, law enforcement officers should be alert to the potential terrorist use of almanacs for pre-operational activities. Indicators of the use of almanacs for this purpose may include suspicious notations concerning high-profile locations such as tall buildings or landmarks and references to specific dates. Agencies should report any suspected use of almanacs in this manner to their nearest FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. Administrative Note: Law Enforcement Response Information contained in the FBI Intelligence Bulletin is Law Enforcement Sensitive and intended for official use only. No portion of this Bulletin should be posted on public web servers, released to the media, the general public or over non-secure Internet servers. Release of Law Enforcement Sensitive material could adversely affect or jeopardize investigative activities. Departments are requested to contact the nearest FBI field office or resident agency in their area should additional information be developed related to the above matter. Questions regarding the content of these Bulletins should also be directed to the nearest FBI field office or resident agency. Specific comments or suggestions about the format or content can be provided to [removed]. -- You are a subscribed member of the infowarrior list. Visit www.infowarrior.org for list information or to unsubscribe. This message may be redistributed freely in its entirety. 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