FBI's Investigation of Anti-War Activists Sparks Protests

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Excerpted quote, Kosta Harlan: "They said they had a lot of information about me and wanted to speak to me in relation to a terrorism investigation," Harlan said Tuesday. "I believe I'm being targeted for my anti-war activism."

Kosta Harlan, right, says FBI agents visited his home to question him, 09/29/10. (photo: Michael Biesecker)

Comments

+9 # David Timm 2010-09-29 22:11

When i first visited the USSR in 1983 it was on a business visa. Things were somewhat looser under Andropov, but still, while sitting in a restaurant or other public place talking with a Russian (in e English) people at nearby tables would lean my way to hear my language. Unfortunately, if I were speaking with a Russian on any subject at all, he or she would immediately clam up and try to quiet me down , too, by furtively pointing at the listener(s) and murmuring the letters "KGB, KGB!"
We here in the USA are not to that point yet, but we're working on it. If we continue on our present glide path, within the next eight years, plus-or-minus, we are likely to lapse into a functioning, totalitarian oligarchy.
And, oh! By the way, we have over 100,000 combat trained veterans coming home from Iraq within the nest few months to few or no jobs. It's doubtful that they will like what they find when they get here and find that their old job is no more.

+5 # Brian 2010-09-29 22:28

Despicable conduct by the FBI once again.

+3 # Age of Discernment 2010-09-30 14:29

...shamelessly plagairizing Orwell. Don't they know we all had to read 1984 in high school?

MODERN WAR = TERRORISM

Anti-war Activism = Anti-terrorism

Who doesn't know this already?

Oh ok, yea; the boss (is pretending).

+7 # Rich Detwiler 2010-09-30 00:35

The FBI just can't seem to get things right. They tried investigating anti-war protestors against the Viet Nam debacle in the 70's, the FBI tried to intiminate Civil Rights workers and protestors in the 60's and 70's.

Why don't they try to intiminate war mongers like OBAMA, and those, led by SIMPSON-who wish to abolish Social Security. How about those idiotic Republicans who are now threatening to close down the GOVERNMENT of the USA, my country. That sounds like TREASON, to me. Let's stop playing games, FBI, congress, president and the SUPREMES.

We citizens on the left and center, and all other reasonable and semi-intelligent people in this country need to reclaim our freedoms! We can't be bullied by the 'party of no' and their FBI confederates.

The Bill of Rights, the Constitution of the United States, and the common citizens need to reclaim our failing great experiment in DEMOCRACY!

-1 # DaveW. 2010-09-30 07:47

Obama, Obviously an improvement over his predecessor in some ways,is still Commander-in-Chief of the empire called America. I've said this before and I'll say it again. ALL U.S. Presidents take TWO oaths. The one we all get to see and hear on Jan 20 of election year. And another one, behind heavy oaken closed doors, cloaked in secrecy and no doubt cryptic Masonic ritual. There, no matter Democrat or Republican, the new "top gun" does hereby swear to do all in his power to extend and maintain American empire. Beginning with the move westward with echoing cries of "manifest destiny" ringing in their ears and then the concept solidifying during the trumped up Spanish-American war, a succession of U.S. Presidents have done nothing to impede our worldwide "sphere of influence." In this respect,Preside nt Obama is indeed just one of the boys and like any self-respecting empire we will continue our bloodied and immoral path until we collapse or are toppled from outside forces,or,possi bly,within.

+2 # ilyenkova 2010-09-30 08:18

You're spot-on as far as the real role played by the president in the USA. But I think we let Obama off the hook (Gee, he's a captive of the office and the backroom boys) if we see him as "captive"-- witting or not. Obama ran on a continue the "War on Terror" platform-- He was always striaghtforward about re-centering the imperialist war effort in Afghanistan, while leaving massive military bases in Iraq. So this is his war, his Justice Department with his FBI, bnd his Federal Judge in Chicago who issued the search and seize warrants against Anti-war activists. Bush may have been more "uncouth" but so much the worse that we got another "slick Willy."

+4 # DaveW. 2010-09-30 09:32

ilyenkova, You're probably right. I was just hoping for something different in terms of "application." The anti-war activists pose a threat because, as always, they pose the question of truth to power. That's been a no-no since 1917 and the Alien and Sedition Act which, by the way, was implemented under another Democratic President(Wilso n). I am a Democrat myself and have been for 36 years (I'm 54 now). This party has very obviously been better for progressive causes but I still maintain its guilt in foreign imperialism. To correct problems we must acknowledge them. I'm getting used to "thumbs down" ANYTIME I criticize President Obama, implicitly or explicitly. Blind allegiance only leads us further into darkness. I WILL NOT support foreign wars, designed to abscond other people's natural resources or to "protect our vital interests" simply because one of my own party ordered it. What was it CSN+Y sang " they're out on the street and they're carrying signs. Mostly say hoo-ray for our side."

+10 # Artur 2010-09-30 02:29

What else is new in this neo nazi country. The FBI is the new Gestapo. freedom and justice< ask the people at Ruby Ridge .The right to privacy? they even know when you scratch your ass. Gimme a break.These FBI suckers are only being USED to protect the 1% elite who own everything . Paranoid and sick ,if the truth be told.

+6 # Glen 2010-09-30 03:06

One more reason for citizens to know their rights - of course those rights have been mangled running them through the Patriot Act.

Perhaps a protest against this could be included in the John Stewart rally at the end of this month. Europe has certainly organized for protests. The U.S. could do the same.

+6 # judita 2010-09-30 03:14

WE activists should tell the world about these intrusions and viiollations of our civil liberties and remember the warning,," that first they come for gypsies, gays, communnists, jews,,but i am none of them,,but soon they will come for me."

This should not be tolearted or accepted.

+11 # raymond howard 2010-09-30 04:03

It seems these FBI raids on members of the peace movement are acting merely as an arm of the military/industrial war machine. Would they be raiding pro-war groups ? Doubtful.

+9 # gappygirl 2010-09-30 04:25

Big surprise, trying to link peace activists to terror! The definition of terror is growing by the day. Soon we will be considered terrorists just for hating imperialism and every thing it stands for. We are considered terrorists for disagreeing with israel and its not even our country, Scary s--t.

+5 # Dave 2010-09-30 09:41

gappygirl, You said "trying to link" OOPs its a done deal "Greenpeace" "Earth First" and "Peta" among many other, I am sure, are already targeted by "our" government.

+7 # R.S.Ague 2010-09-30 04:40

Yes, indeed, we now live in the U.S. of (greed and power) A.(ddiction). And, like with all addicts, we see lying, denial, and willingness to do anything whatsoever to keep their beloved addiction in place and growing. I do believe that there's a real McCoy, French style revolution coming (vs. the Koch created, spin and manipulation based Tea Party), and I so hope and pray that our children and grandchildren survive and live in a far more peaceful and just and addiction free world, where the greed and power addicts are recognized early and nipped in the bud, before an entire nation is once again crippled by their addiction.

+5 # Todd Williams 2010-09-30 04:52

Shades of the 1960's. Where is the line between protecting us and abusing us? It was nonexistent during the Nixon years. Is it being blurred again? Let's hope not.

+6 # Mickeyfilm 2010-09-30 05:07

I've been making a documentary that deals with American war crimes in Korea. I've been to North Korea 2 times and each of those times I observed that I was frequently followed even after I left the airport. The North Korean Delegation to the UN has often called me on my cell phone to access the progress of my film. After their calls, I would have lots of strange visitors and even people who would strike up conversations about North Korea on the street. Here's a link to the first version of the rough cut: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7417775420968970865#

+12 # Darlene F. Price 2010-09-30 05:34

This is nothing new. The FBI is notorious for being the "Goon Squad" in going after Federal Government Whistleblowers, or anyone who dares speak truth to power against the Federal Government. I have repeatedly given testimony before congress with thousands of Whistleblowers attempting to expose waste, fraud, abuse and corruption in the federal government. All of them were retaliated against by some federal agency - often the FBI. This is happening because there is NO WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION for federal government whistleblowers. We desperately need to pass real Whistleblower protection. The current laws do nothing to protect whistleblowers against retaliation by agencies like the FBI.

Darlene Fitzgerald Price
National Security Whistleblower
Former Special Agent
Author: "BorderGate, the story the government doesn't want you to read"

+8 # Pete Hart 2010-09-30 05:50

The sad thing is that this is business as usual for the FBI. They have been this way since J. Edgar Hoover. They investigate anyone who might represent the slightest threat to those in power. How about investigating the Koch brothers or DeCoster? How about tracking down all those contractors stealing millions in Iraq?

+9 # Vardette 2010-09-30 06:09

I called my senator when I heard about this and told him if they can allow Tea Baggers in to meetings with guns how dare they deprive us of our right to protest war! This is just like the 60's all over again - they did the same thing back then and Jaon Baez was arrested over and over and we kept is up no mattter what!

0 # giraffe 2010-09-30 06:44

This is "bullying" is not just one kid hurting another in K1-12 but it continues.
Bullying happens in Family Court too: A judge (as in my friend's case) who is biased toward one attorney and then rules on his favorite attorney's opinion rather than open the "file on his podium" to look at the evidence. In NV these judges are elected so "make sure your lawyer put $$ in your judge's campaign"

The FBI should investigate (they have the tools) and then leave innocents alone -- but they find a target and can fill their 8 hour work day following somebody they know (or should know) is not a terrorist.

+5 # foxtrottango 2010-09-30 06:47

The FBI is a spent organization. It's become obsolete in itself. It has become a watch dog for corporate America, the Right Wing Extremists, a dysfunctional and corrupted judicial, police, penal and jury system of America.

In short, it's a right wing political group funded by the American Tax Payers.

It has also become a threat to our democracy and freedoms. They are no longer hunting real criminals like corporate crooks, racist judges, juries, police and penal institutions. They condon racism, corruption, extreme groups as way of life for a portion of American society. Even the KKK, the one organization that will destroy America is off limits to them.

The fact is, each and every American citizen is terrified of them and for goo measure. They can just do anything they want with impunity and get away with it!

Such is the state of the union in regards to justice! In short, like the judicial system they are also for sale in America.

+4 # Albert Bodt, M.D. 2010-09-30 08:04

It seems the FBI is not aware of the constitutional right of descent against government policy. It is the right and indeed the duty of every citizen to criticize government when they percieve injustice or tyranny. To paraphrase James Baldwin, "It is because I love my country so much that I criticize her".

+1 # Dave 2010-09-30 09:47

Quoting

It seems the FBI is not aware of the constitutional right of descent against government policy. It is the right and indeed the duty of every citizen to criticize government when they percieve injustice or tyranny. To paraphrase James Baldwin, "It is because I love my country so much that I criticize her".

descent = dissent?

0 # rob 2010-09-30 14:29

By this time in the Bush administration, i had purchased an "Impeach Bush" sign and had it in my front yard. Why am i not being inundated with ads for "Impeach Obama" signs, like i was with the Bush signs???!!!

+2 # DaveW. 2010-10-01 11:34

rob, Great question!
What's good for the goose is not good for the gander yet when it comes down to politics to our party we pander. This country just seems to have a basic indifference to the concept of "right and wrong." I hated Bush and believe he did more to divide our country than any other President. Obama SHOULD NOT be following any footsteps left by that "man." A word I use sarcastically.

0 # Oliver Gorki 2010-10-04 01:03

The FBI is just one of the Secret Societies betraying our Country. They are neither Red Lodge or Blue Lodge, but Hegelian operatives who work both sides always. Their secret, as it were, was uncovered by one William Cooper, a 1990's era Patriot talk show host with a strong anti-NWO message. When applying for transfer to the Office of Naval Intelligence during the Vietnam War, he was stymied over the Top Secret clearance question: Do you belong to any social orgs.,clubs, associations, Masonic Lodge etc.? Cooper had been initiated into The Order of DeMolay in Japan when a teen and an Air Force brat. The constant moving to new bases allowed him only a few meetings at the Lodge. Not wanting to lie, and being highly intelligent, Mr. Cooper checked the box for Freemasonry.

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