Antiterrorism training materials used by the Department of Defense teach that public protests should be regarded as "low-level terrorism," according to a letter of complaint sent to the department by the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California.

"Teaching employees that dissent on issues of public concern is something to be feared, rather than encouraged, is a dangerously counterproductive use of scarce security resources, making us less safe as a democracy," Northern California ACLU staff attorney Ann Brick and ACLU Washington national security policy counsel Michael German wrote in the letter to Gail McGinn, acting undersecretary of Defense for personnel and readiness.

"DOD employees cannot accomplish their mission of protecting our nation and its values unless they understand that those values encompass the right to criticize our government through protest activities," they wrote. "It is imperative that they are taught the difference between political, religious or social activism and terrorism."

Among the multiple-choice questions included in its Level 1 Antiterrorism Awareness training course — an annual training requirement for all DOD personnel that is fulfilled through Web-based instruction — the department asks the following: "Which of the following is an example of low-level terrorist activity?" To answer correctly, the examinee must select "protests." The ACLU wants that changed immediately, and it wants corrective information sent to all Department of Defense employees who received the training.

The ACLU letter notes that this is particularly disturbing in light of the long-term pattern of government treating lawful dissent as terrorism. In the Bay Area, my colleagues and I reported exactly this in 2003, as the California Anti-Terrorism Information Center fed local police agencies information on protests, with catastrophic results. Two years after that, it was the California National Guard.

I guess I'm surprised not only that the government hasn't yet learned its lesson about equating the exercise of our cherished constitutional rights with terrorism, but also that it's so incredibly obvious in doing so.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/politics/ci_12589887

This is a rather concerning development for our "democratic" nation...keep your eyes open people...Before it's too late!

_________________
If it's in your pack, but you don't know how to use it...it's useless. So, always test your skills as a form of preparation...Don't wait until your life depends on it. That's a lesson you don't want to learn the hard way.

I don't think this is actually news.

After all, look what happened with civil rights protesters in the 60's.

What should be disturbing is that most people don't give the information a second thought, if they hear about it at all!

You realize of course that these people are the same ones, that when I was in school were

screaming "Question Authority" on the college campus'. Now that they are in power, you

are a terrorist if you question their authority! Something to think about!

_________________
Retired Navy SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) Instructor
certified pistol, rifle, shotgun, home defense Instructor
NRA Life Member
Survival & Disaster Preparedness Instructor

I'm definetly not an ACLU fan, but I can agree with them on this issue. Our freedom to "question" the policies and direction of our elected officials is one of the bedrocks on which our Republic was formed.

First off let me be clear that I'm not anti-Democratic party ... it takes all viewpoints to make a strong country. I do however loathe those individuals who promoted the most vitriolic statements and actions (up-to-and-including calling for the death of a sitting President) as "Freedom of Speech" during the last administration, who now want ANYTHING and EVERTHING that doesn't agree with their viewpoint squelched. The really sad part is that they truly cannot tolerate (or even recognize) any viewpoint other than their own ... they just don't even see it. It became even more troublesome (for me) when the current administation who now has unprecedented control and influence over the mortgage industry, banking industry, insurance industry, auto industry, (adnaseum up to and including the desire to determine your loved one's healthcare choices) has now issued a decree to "concerned citizens" that they should email the administration with names/dates of any speech they deem "suspicious". I'm not an alarmist by nature, but to me this is scary stuff.

And all of this is being driven by YOUR tax dollars ... a large percentage of which is actually going to "overseas" countries, because we no longer have the manufacturing capacity here at home to implement new "global warming" technologies. But hey, I could be wrong.

I am anti democrac party and anti republican party! These 2 parties have abused their duty and priviliges.
Both parties should be relegated to the ash heap of history. Viable 3rd , 4th, and 5th parties need to be established
and the "JOB" of politician must be eliminated! I want statesmen/women NOT politicians!

_________________
Retired Navy SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) Instructor
certified pistol, rifle, shotgun, home defense Instructor
NRA Life Member
Survival & Disaster Preparedness Instructor

That is what we all want (excluding special interest groups and the where's-mine crowd). Not political expediency or payback, just decent people who can put differences aside to work together to solve real problems facing the country. People who consider the best "long-term" course of action, not the election cycle. But just like the United Nations, most politicians today only care about winning the argument, forgetting that actual results requires follow-through (I'm being nice here).

In my opinion, mainstream America has been asleep at the wheel far too long pondering the nations direction. Maybe what's happening today will finally be a wake-up call for him/her to make their voice heard ala the Tea Parties both the media (except FOX news) and the administration are desperately trying to dismiss as minor mal-contents.

Personally, I'd like to dismantle the entire Congress ... but the system is so entrenched that within a matter of years the "machine" will likely rewarp it all. Now if Congress had term limits, and was mandated to follow the same retirement, health, social security plans (etc) as the average American ... things could change for the better.

I think all politicians local and federal should have their pay limited to the mean average of the people
they represent! They are so for this health plan....then let them try it out for .....let's say 10 years, if it
works for them then we'll try it on a larger scale. As to their retirement....1/2 of their restructured base pay
provided they are in office more than 20 years and not over 65. Once they hit 65 it's social insecurity for
them along with all the regulations and limitations involved. They can NEVER work for any company or
subsidiary that has any business with the government unless they had worked for that company prior t
o being elected to office. Any laws, contracts etc that involved that company, they shall recuse themselves
from voting on the bill.
Then and only then will we get some semblance of representation!

_________________
Retired Navy SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) Instructor
certified pistol, rifle, shotgun, home defense Instructor
NRA Life Member
Survival & Disaster Preparedness Instructor

Sounds like a good start, but the odds are slim to none ... remember the big push for "term-limits"?

As I see it, our government has become so disconnected from the lives of the average American that they can no longer identify with their constituents. Because of their large personal cash reserves and political contacts, they feel zero negative impact ... no matter what garbage bills they pass. They have special retirement plans, special healthcare plans, special social-security plans, special stock plans, special tax plans (if and when they do pay taxes), and an ungodly number of other perks that are unique only to them. Whatever YOUR family troubles may be, THEIRS are covered.

But every day they repeat how BAD THEY FEEL for you in these times of trouble, all the while ordering up another 4-to-6 luxery jets for personal travel with your "we have to have this or the country's going under" stimulus tax dollars. Yeah I'm feeling it alright ... like I've got two hands on my shoulders, and they're not mine. Don't like this one bit. No sir.

If Congress had to follow the same rules as everyone else, changes would happen so fast your head would spin ... bank on it.