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by click170
3488 days ago
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I honestly believe people working for three letter agencies don't see this as a distinction. They're both "because terrorism" and technically, that's correct. You and I can probably agree that one of them is overreach, but I don't trust that they have internal mechanisms to discourage overreach - that would be counter to their interests. Edit: Clarification |
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The FBI is made up of humans and humans are lazy as well as judged on the effectiveness of their jobs. Regardless of if you are an American paladin-cop or a boring FBI bureaucrat, you're going to take the path that makes it easier for you. And aside from a few underfunded, underpowered civil liberties groups bringing a swarm of mosquitoes to the firefight, the FBI/DOJ has the real power here. They get to use the virtually limitless funds of citizens to operate in the letter of the law or the spirit of the law, depending upon what is advantageous, and will issue charges on the letter of the law or the spirit of the law, depending on what is advantageous.
The depressing fact of the matter is that the natsec apparatus will remain the winning side until mainstream perspectives on policing change; this "victory" rings hollow and the fact that it took years to publish a redacted note is overall worth as much fanfare cutting a rhinoceros with a razor blade. We're celebrating a slaying of the beast right before it goes and gores somebody else. (I'm celebrating too, but I'm not going to deny it's more for morale than substance.)
For non-activists, though, it is easier to believe that the system works as intended and people want to trust that it works as intended. I don't think America is truly authoritarian as much as it is too lazy to pay attention until either the guns are pointed at them or the panem et circenses dry up, but by then it's too late. I don't actually blame the FBI or any TLA here. If we don't like this, the finger should be pointed at anyone who encourages this behavior or turns a blind eye to it.