ACLU calls state police spying files 'a joke'

Information redacted in released surveillance materials from police

By LIAM FARRELL, Staff Writer

Published 11/20/08

BALTIMORE - The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland and some of the more than 50 activists mistakenly classified as terrorists by the Maryland State Police are calling for more disclosure by the agency after receiving heavily redacted files linked to a covert surveillance program.

The files shed some light on how individuals in anti-war, anti-death-penalty and environmental groups were described in a police database. The pages show when their entries were created, mention their involvement in activist groups and attendance at meetings or protests, sometimes include photographs, and list their "Primary Crimes" under...

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Are you kidding? - 2008-11-21 21:57:08

For a minute I thought Emma's comments were an attempt at sarcasm; but I fear they're serious. This is a classic example of right-wing politics. Don't waste time dealing with issues, go straight to character assassination. I?d think you?d approve of places like Stalinist Russia or Cuba or North Korea. There they can have unfettered police states and undesirable political views can be squashed. Part of being a democracy is tolerance of a wide range of views. Liberals are not immune to narrow mindedness, but it?s seems a disease especially epidemic in the far right. How about the FBI start investigating the John Birch Society, the American Enterprise Institute or the Ku Klux Klan. Oh, perhaps they have actually investigated the KKK. The idea, to this WASP, that Barack Obama is a racist is nothing short of vile and offensive.

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Nils Pedersen - Arnold, MD - Karma: Neutral

Gotta keep an eye on.... - 2008-11-20 17:15:06

Commies, Pinkos, Subversive. Eco-Nazis, NAMBLA, (You don't want to know), Left wing nut-jobs, (Pretty much all of the above), assorted Perverts and racists. You know, the upcoming Administration.

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Emma G. - West River, MD - Karma: Neutral