Comments on: PA Homeland Security gave names of anti-drill activists to drilling company http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 08:29:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: MrJM http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886017 MrJM Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886017 Public/Private Partnership strikes again. Public/Private Partnership strikes again.

]]> By: lysdexia http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886020 lysdexia Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886020 "Does Marcellus Shale look like Karst?" "What?" *KABLAM* "Say what again Metamorphic! I double-dare you!" “Does Marcellus Shale look like Karst?”
“What?”
*KABLAM*
“Say what again Metamorphic! I double-dare you!”

]]> By: Matt Staggs http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886033 Matt Staggs Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886033 United States, Inc. United States, Inc.

]]> By: ill lich http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886035 ill lich Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886035 <blockquote>"My concern is public safety."</blockquote> If he were so concerned with public safety, then he wouldn't be helping a company that causes natural gas to come up through people's wells and out their faucets.

“My concern is public safety.”

If he were so concerned with public safety, then he wouldn’t be helping a company that causes natural gas to come up through people’s wells and out their faucets.

]]> By: the Other michael http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-887830 the Other michael Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-887830 I wish that more conservatives were actually interested in conserving the country for the future, rather than just conserving the momentum of whatever happened in the past. I wish that more conservatives were actually interested in conserving the country for the future, rather than just conserving the momentum of whatever happened in the past.

]]> By: jacord http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886042 jacord Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886042 More today on HuffPo:"Pennsylvania Protest Reports: Governor 'Appalled,' Shuts Down Practice" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/15/pennsylvania-protest-repo_n_717393.html More today on HuffPo:”Pennsylvania Protest Reports: Governor ‘Appalled,’ Shuts Down Practice” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/15/pennsylvania-protest-repo_n_717393.html

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-887067 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-887067 I don't think any of this is new. It's just more visible because people have the ability to document it in real time (via the Internet). It all sounds very reminiscent of Cointelpro-style covert harassment (for my political activities) that I experienced between 1987 and 2002 in Seattle. I write about it in my recent memoir THE MOST REVOLUTIONARY ACT: MEMOIR OF AN AMERICAN REFUGEE (www.stuartbramhall.com). I currently live in exile in New Zealand. I don’t think any of this is new. It’s just more visible because people have the ability to document it in real time (via the Internet). It all sounds very reminiscent of Cointelpro-style covert harassment (for my political activities) that I experienced between 1987 and 2002 in Seattle. I write about it in my recent memoir THE MOST REVOLUTIONARY ACT: MEMOIR OF AN AMERICAN REFUGEE (www.stuartbramhall.com). I currently live in exile in New Zealand.

]]> By: Ugly Canuck http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886049 Ugly Canuck Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886049 So...is simply being politically active enough to get Fatherland Security to open a file on you? No wonder the Republicans did not want to have any limits on whom they could select to staff that bureaucracy. So…is simply being politically active enough to get Fatherland Security to open a file on you?
No wonder the Republicans did not want to have any limits on whom they could select to staff that bureaucracy.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886332 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886332 "I don't care which side of the issue someone is on -- for or against identity theft, for or against the secrecy of nuclear launch codes, for or against evil -- I'm releasing the information. My concern is public safety." “I don’t care which side of the issue someone is on — for or against identity theft, for or against the secrecy of nuclear launch codes, for or against evil — I’m releasing the information. My concern is public safety.”

]]> By: aileinduinn http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-887103 aileinduinn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-887103 James F. Powers, Jr. was appointed as Pennsylvania’s Director of Homeland Security on June 5, 2006. From 2001 through mid 2006, Powers served as a Special Operations consultant with KWG Consulting of Waterford, Virginia; (MINING LOBBYISTS) Prior to serving as a consultant and Senior Fellow, Mr. Powers served over 30 years as a career U.S. Army Special Forces officer attaining the rank of Colonel. The enemies of freedom don't hold meetings, they hold public office. James F. Powers, Jr. was appointed as Pennsylvania’s Director of Homeland Security on June 5, 2006.

From 2001 through mid 2006, Powers served as a Special Operations consultant with KWG Consulting of Waterford, Virginia; (MINING LOBBYISTS)

Prior to serving as a consultant and Senior Fellow, Mr. Powers served over 30 years as a career U.S. Army Special Forces officer attaining the rank of Colonel.

The enemies of freedom don’t hold meetings, they hold public office.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-887116 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-887116 The exemptions and the activities in question were started under president bush's administration. The continuation of these activities is due both to the ponderous momentum of the government and the mindset of those that work in the security industry. The lack of concern for the individual citizen is magnified by the fact that those that cannot afford to argue the point in a court of law are on the receiving end of this sort of treatment. The director needs to be fired and criminally prosecuted for using public resources for private gain due to the fact that this information was specifically gathered for companies that need to use their own resources to perform these activities. Some sort of zoning regulations need to be implemented as regards the access roads and barriers that separate these sites from the surrounding areas. there is a lot more , but the gist is you need to legally attack these operations in areas that they are not protected(i.e. the loopholes). Don't give me that crap line about the current administration being the one at fault, it is the entire process that has been corrupted and that goes waaaay back. The abrogation of individual responsibility that the incorporation laws give to people with no moral compass is one of the things wrong with this country and that is not a point that you can defend by blaming all on the most current president because you are trying to rewrite history to fit your world view. Money still seems to buy governmental action and that doesn't seem to be something that will change until we make all public corruption a capital offense. ok, that last bit was a little extreme, but (expletive deleted) The exemptions and the activities in question were started under president bush’s administration. The continuation of these activities is due both to the ponderous momentum of the government and the mindset of those that work in the security industry. The lack of concern for the individual citizen is magnified by the fact that those that cannot afford to argue the point in a court of law are on the receiving end of this sort of treatment.

The director needs to be fired and criminally prosecuted for using public resources for private gain due to the fact that this information was specifically gathered for companies that need to use their own resources to perform these activities. Some sort of zoning regulations need to be implemented as regards the access roads and barriers that separate these sites from the surrounding areas. there is a lot more , but the gist is you need to legally attack these operations in areas that they are not protected(i.e. the loopholes).

Don’t give me that crap line about the current administration being the one at fault, it is the entire process that has been corrupted and that goes waaaay back. The abrogation of individual responsibility that the incorporation laws give to people with no moral compass is one of the things wrong with this country and that is not a point that you can defend by blaming all on the most current president because you are trying to rewrite history to fit your world view.

Money still seems to buy governmental action and that doesn’t seem to be something that will change until we make all public corruption a capital offense.

ok, that last bit was a little extreme, but

(expletive deleted)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886098 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886098 Don't forget, we're talking about a <strong>Democratic</strong> administration in a <strong>Democrat-ruled state</strong> under a <strong>democratic president.</strong> I'm not claiming the Republicans are any better - they aren't - but BoingBoing seems to have a huge readership of Democratic Party cheerleaders who think only the Republicans are working for the corporate overlords. News Flash: As RFK Jr. keeps telling you all, the goal of the corporations is to have all breathable air and all drinkable water in private hands. Nobody's hiding anything; how many times do the megacorp spokesdroids have to mention "the tragedy of the commons" before you people will realise they want to destroy ALL natural commons and make sure that ALL resources are privately owned? These people honestly believe that they can bring about the libertarian wonderland through globally pervasive pollution. Don’t forget, we’re talking about a Democratic administration in a Democrat-ruled state under a democratic president.

I’m not claiming the Republicans are any better – they aren’t – but BoingBoing seems to have a huge readership of Democratic Party cheerleaders who think only the Republicans are working for the corporate overlords.

News Flash: As RFK Jr. keeps telling you all, the goal of the corporations is to have all breathable air and all drinkable water in private hands. Nobody’s hiding anything; how many times do the megacorp spokesdroids have to mention “the tragedy of the commons” before you people will realise they want to destroy ALL natural commons and make sure that ALL resources are privately owned? These people honestly believe that they can bring about the libertarian wonderland through globally pervasive pollution.

]]> By: knoxblox http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886112 knoxblox Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886112 I think I just may have to add Roberts to my shit list. I think I just may have to add Roberts to my shit list.

]]> By: voline http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886113 voline Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886113 This is apropos because the Pennsylvania State Police began in the early 19th century as the private Iron and Coal Police of the mine and mill owners. The owners tired of paying for their muscle all by themselves and recruited the taxpayers of Pennsylvania to chip in by getting the State of Pennsylvania to socialize them. The State adopted the bosses' private security apparatus as a whole, changed its name to the State Police, and started to pay their salaries to do what they had been doing anyway: fighting the unions and communities that were struggling to improve wages and working conditions in the coal mines and steel mills of Pennsylvania. This is all detailed in Kristian Williams's excellent history of the police in America <i><a href="http://amazon.com/dp/0896087719" title="Amazon.com: Our Enemies in Blue: Police and Power in America: Kristian Williams">Our Enemies in Blue</a></i>. This is apropos because the Pennsylvania State Police began in the early 19th century as the private Iron and Coal Police of the mine and mill owners. The owners tired of paying for their muscle all by themselves and recruited the taxpayers of Pennsylvania to chip in by getting the State of Pennsylvania to socialize them. The State adopted the bosses’ private security apparatus as a whole, changed its name to the State Police, and started to pay their salaries to do what they had been doing anyway: fighting the unions and communities that were struggling to improve wages and working conditions in the coal mines and steel mills of Pennsylvania.

This is all detailed in Kristian Williams’s excellent history of the police in America Our Enemies in Blue.

]]> By: IronEdithKidd http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886130 IronEdithKidd Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886130 "Public safety" being, of course, code for "protecting private profit". “Public safety” being, of course, code for “protecting private profit”.

]]> By: travtastic http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886898 travtastic Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886898 I wish the PA DHS would concern itself with making sure my water doesn't kill me or burn my house down. I wish the PA DHS would concern itself with making sure my water doesn’t kill me or burn my house down.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-887160 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-887160 Made my day with that! Made my day with that!

]]> By: knoxblox http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886141 knoxblox Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886141 You know, it's got me to thinking about people out there that may be close relatives or friends of people like Roberts. I wonder if they are aware of, or even complicit in, the kind of backhanded dealings men or women like him engage in? I know I couldn't sit back while my family member was part of a conspiracy to compromise or deceive the public. I suppose I'd be grabbing them by the lapels and shaking them, while asking them "Don't you realize what you're doing is evil and/or stupid?" I mean, where's the personal accountability, much less the public accountability? You know, it’s got me to thinking about people out there that may be close relatives or friends of people like Roberts.
I wonder if they are aware of, or even complicit in, the kind of backhanded dealings men or women like him engage in? I know I couldn’t sit back while my family member was part of a conspiracy to compromise or deceive the public.
I suppose I’d be grabbing them by the lapels and shaking them, while asking them “Don’t you realize what you’re doing is evil and/or stupid?”
I mean, where’s the personal accountability, much less the public accountability?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886944 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886944 I am curious as to why these idiots are investigating people who are against destroying this planet and its wild life (BP oil spill, or the Exxon oil spill, I can keep going), while, rapists and murderers are on the loose. How about we catch those guys, and then worry about people who have not done ANYTHING other than express their aggravation with the oversized monopolies, which, our government is supposed to STOP! How f**ked up are we?! I apologize for the profanity. I am curious as to why these idiots are investigating people who are against destroying this planet and its wild life (BP oil spill, or the Exxon oil spill, I can keep going), while, rapists and murderers are on the loose. How about we catch those guys, and then worry about people who have not done ANYTHING other than express their aggravation with the oversized monopolies, which, our government is supposed to STOP! How f**ked up are we?! I apologize for the profanity.

]]> By: highlyverbal http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886435 highlyverbal Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886435 This clearly chills/abridges their right to assemble to petition for redress of grievances. It's the prodigal freedom of the 1st amendment. Everyone gets so caught up in the sexy free speech, free press, free religion, they forget the assembly. This clearly chills/abridges their right to assemble to petition for redress of grievances.

It’s the prodigal freedom of the 1st amendment. Everyone gets so caught up in the sexy free speech, free press, free religion, they forget the assembly.

]]> By: Skidds http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886181 Skidds Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886181 ...and your name is, sir? …and your name is, sir?

]]> By: james84 http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886198 james84 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886198 Fusion centers and similar homeland security domestic intelligence programs have been incredibly poorly implemented from the start and it shows in the string of abuses and controversies they've managed to rack up in such a short time. Given their limited oversight and accountability as well as institutionalized paranoia, I guess it's unsurprising when they end up manufacturing (or, if that is too strong for some people, grossly exaggerating the possibility of) threats in order to justify their funding. It's COINTELPRO all over again (the surveillance aspects, anyway). Sadly, I'm not holding my breath for another Church Committee. Fusion centers and similar homeland security domestic intelligence programs have been incredibly poorly implemented from the start and it shows in the string of abuses and controversies they’ve managed to rack up in such a short time. Given their limited oversight and accountability as well as institutionalized paranoia, I guess it’s unsurprising when they end up manufacturing (or, if that is too strong for some people, grossly exaggerating the possibility of) threats in order to justify their funding. It’s COINTELPRO all over again (the surveillance aspects, anyway). Sadly, I’m not holding my breath for another Church Committee.

]]> By: Skidds http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886199 Skidds Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886199 Just kidding, this is probably just a harmless action that has gone on for a long time for cross referencing purposes. Just kidding, this is probably just a harmless action that has gone on for a long time for cross referencing purposes.

]]> By: gaspergou http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-885962 gaspergou Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-885962 I think the Marcellus Shale is a geological formation rather than a drilling company. I think the Marcellus Shale is a geological formation rather than a drilling company.

]]> By: diznila http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886494 diznila Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886494 I didn't see anything in the original article that says any people's names were recorded. From the article, it sounds like Homeland Security was just recording info about anti-drilling events. For all we know, they could be tracking people too, but I don't see that anywhere in the source. I didn’t see anything in the original article that says any people’s names were recorded. From the article, it sounds like Homeland Security was just recording info about anti-drilling events.

For all we know, they could be tracking people too, but I don’t see that anywhere in the source.

]]> By: Ugly Canuck http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-885989 Ugly Canuck Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-885989 "Marcellus Shale"? I think I may just change my name. “Marcellus Shale”?
I think I may just change my name.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886247 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886247 Homeland Security's "presence may spark something else. [I don't want to see government agents at public meetings] escalate to physical unconstitutional acts." More like it. Damn gubmint goons. ~B/ Homeland Security’s “presence may spark something else. [I don't want to see government agents at public meetings] escalate to physical unconstitutional acts.”

More like it. Damn gubmint goons. ~B/

]]> By: Chrs http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-885994 Chrs Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-885994 Agreed on the formation. In other news, "fomenting dissent against ... companies" will hopefully not be a prosecutable offense anytime soon. Why are they seriously investigating it? Agreed on the formation.

In other news, “fomenting dissent against … companies” will hopefully not be a prosecutable offense anytime soon. Why are they seriously investigating it?

]]> By: Baldhead http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886251 Baldhead Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886251 It seems to me, that a government agency has no legal obligation to provide a private company with information on private citizens. It may even be against the law. If so then is Powers breaking the law to prevent unlawful behaviour? It seems to me, that a government agency has no legal obligation to provide a private company with information on private citizens. It may even be against the law. If so then is Powers breaking the law to prevent unlawful behaviour?

]]> By: quercus http://boingboing.net/2010/09/15/pa-homeland-security.html#comment-886256 quercus Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-886256 The State Homeland Security Director James Powers wants to protect the people from "physical criminal acts."? Perhaps some nefarious action like poisoning the water supply? Methinks he should google "fracking water pollution" The State Homeland Security Director James Powers wants to protect the people from “physical criminal acts.”? Perhaps some nefarious action like poisoning the water supply? Methinks he should google “fracking water pollution”

]]>