Court Of Impeachment And War Crimes: Impeach Bush and Cheney: 1st Black Water, Then Nspd 51 & Hspd-20, and now FBI/InfraGard! Are We Getting The Picture?

Impeach Bush and Cheney: 1^st Black Water, Then Nspd 51 & Hspd-20, and now FBI/InfraGard!

Are We Getting The Picture?

Blackwater: Now The Charge That the FBI is utilizing private industries in surveillance of Americans has been expanded to “Shoot to Kill Infra Structure Protection Authorization Card Carried Licenses” for the Para (Paranoid)-FBI Vigilante InfraGard Organization during time of Martial Law.

There Is More Than Enough Smoke Here To Check For A Fire!

{This post originated after Susan Serpa (Northeast Impeachment Summit Group…among other things…did a Google Group post on this matter. Thank You Susan…I Think.}

To say that, that assertion is both controversial and troubling would be the understatement of the day!

When Jeremy Scahill blew the whistle on Blackwater USA in the first of a series of articles in “The Nation”, the expose’, information, facts and assertions were greeted with skepticism, attack and attempts to dismiss and discredit them, (as has become standard operating procedure in such matters in this administration ) as sensationalism, the ravings of lunatics and “conspiracy theorist nut cases”.

Despite Mr. Schaill’s credentials and long standing record of accuracy and integrity; this time he had “gone too far and had obviously lost it” because no one in their right mind could possibly believe that the USA and the President of The United States would “sanction” let alone, officially employ the services of “Soldiers of Fortune” to do the work/bidding of the government at home and abroad.

The expose’, now acknowledged fact started with such a simple account as:

“Meet Blackwater USA, the powerful private army that the U.S. government has quietly hired to operate in international war zones and on American soil.

With its own military base, a fleet of twenty aircraft and twenty-thousand troops at the ready,Blackwater is the elite PraetorianGuard for the "global war on terror."

It was the moment the war turned: On March 31, 2004, four Americans were ambushed and burned near their jeeps by an angry mob in the Sunni stronghold of Falluja. Their charred corpses were hung from a bridge over the Euphrates River. The ensuing slaughter by U.S. troops would fuel the fierce Iraqi resistance that haunts occupation forces to this day. But these men were neither American military nor civilians. They were highly trained private soldiers sent to Iraq by a secretive mercenary company based in the wilderness of North Carolina.”

All attempts to dismiss, demonize and ridicule the research failed and America had to accept the fact this administration, with the knowledge of some members of congress, had in fact done precisely what Scahill asserted and a Senate Hearing of Investigation could not be avoided, though the proper post investigation action of Impeachment has been.

Mr. Scahill has continued his investigative journalism career and authored as bestselling book on Blackwater: Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army is the unauthorized story of the epic rise of one of the most powerful and secretive forces to emerge from the U.S. military-industrial complex, hailed by the Bush administration as a revolution in military affairs, but considered by others as a dire threat to American democracy.

So should the accusation cited at the outset of this post come as any surprise? I think not. The initial response to this allegation is identical to that of the Scahill revelation, and should for the moment be viewed in that light as more in-depth investigation into the matter continues.

The current allegation is brought, again, by a credible source; Matthew Rothschild, Editor of long respected: The Progressive hardly the home base for “Conspiracy Theorists” and irresponsible sensationalist journalism.

But let us digress for a moment and meet Mr. Rothschild whose only “extremists” tendency in the eyes of some is a long standing staunch advocacy of The Progressive movement. The following is exerted from an interview with Mr. Rothschild conducted by Buzzflash, the entirety of which is linked above. The excerpt: October 20, 2004.

Matthew Rothschild, Editor of The Progressive -- "One of the things that concerns me most about the Bush administration is its messianic militarism."

A graduate of Harvard University, Rothschild edited the Multinational Monitor, a magazine founded by Ralph Nader, prior to coming to The Progressive.

He landed at The Progressive in 1983 and has served the magazine in many different capacities -- first as associate editor, then managing editor, then publisher, and since 1994 as editor. Rothschild brought distinguished social critics on as columnists, including Barbara Ehrenreich, Eduardo Galeano, and Howard Zinn.

He added original poetry from the likes of Martín Espada and Adrienne Rich, and he recruited the humorists Kate Clinton and Will Durst. On the magazine's website, Rothschild contributes his "This Just In" commentaries several times a week and keeps a running tally of civil liberties infringements in his "McCarthyism Watch."

Rothschild is also co-founder and director of The Progressive Media Project, which since 1993 has been distributing opinion pieces to newspapers around the country in an effort to diversify and democratize the national debate.

We are following in the tradition of Robert La Follette, who was the founder of The Progressive magazine and one of the pioneers of the progressive movement. To us, a progressive means we need to take back power from corporations with way too much power, not only over the economy but over the political system. And it also means deep suspicion of U.S. intervention abroad.

La Follette himself was hanged in effigy for being one of the few senators to oppose U.S. entry into World War I. We’ve opposed just about every U.S. war except for World War II. We are very opposed to this Iraq war, and early on we were critical about all the lies that the Bush administration used to drag this country into war.

Being a progressive also means standing up for democracy -- giving more direct power to people, greater access to the ballot, and more political power in every way. We also believe in economic justice. We believe in civil rights and civil liberties for everybody. Free speech is a real fundamental value for us. And we believe in the protection of the environment. I think that gives you an idea of what a traditional progressive is.

Is the word or label "progressive" interchangeable with "liberal"? Or are there more substantial differences in values?

There are differences, but I don’t fight this fight anymore, because I think in the general person’s mind liberal means left wing and progressive means left wing. And I don’t get into a dispute where liberal is used as a pejorative. A lot of people on the left do that. I don’t think it’s a successful tactic in talking to citizens that we’re trying to persuade. That, to me, is my objective, and that is The Progressive’s objective -- to talk to people outside the choir and try to move them in a direction towards more just policies for the United States and a more peaceful world.

The key is not to run away from the label that others -- the media or the right wing -- are trying to pin on us.

I think it’s been a real disaster for progressives, liberals, people within the Democratic Party, to dodge the label of liberal, as though it’s poisonous. If a liberal means that the people should have the right to vote, and that the right to vote shouldn’t be taken away from them as it was in Florida from African Americans -- then yes, we’re liberal. If liberal means that Article I, Section VIII of the Constitution, which gives to Congress the sole right to declare war, is still part of the Constitution -- then yes, we’re liberal.

If a liberal means that corporations shouldn’t be able to trash the environment and rewrite the regulations of the government -- yes, we’re liberal. If liberal means that people shouldn’t have to live on starvation minimum wages -- yes, we’re liberal.

Or, yes, we’re progressive. To me, the battle really isn’t over the label, and it’s somehow cowardly, or comes off cowardly, for people to be dodging the label. On the other hand, it comes off as futile for people on the left, to say, "Oh, I’m not one of those liberals; I’m a real hard core progressive," or vice versa.

What we need to do is bring people who are in the Democratic Party, and who identify as liberals, or were independents or centrists, or even thinking Republicans of the traditional mainstream variety that are horrified at the direction George W. Bush is taking this country, and then move them, step by step, to a more sane and humane policy. That really should be our goal.

People reduce politics to a sliding linear scale divided by ideologies on the left and the right -- liberal, conservative. It’s flawed, however, because it’s difficult to form that straight line on the left when you eventually talk about the American empire.

There seems to be a fundamental schism that people cross when they become a progressive. In some respects, you have to forego a fundamentally nationalist ideology and accept an internationalist one. It goes well beyond how you feel about the United Nations. It’s a belief that an American's life is not more important than someone else’s life, whether they’re from the Middle East or South America. A progressive rejects the notion that the United States is inherently a good or righteous country. Rather than accepting the myth of America always being just in our foreign policy and our military interventions, I argue that progressives see compassion as the full definition of our strength.

With that in mind, do you see a time in the future when candidates could embrace this world view? Could we get to a place where Democratic candidates don’t try to outspend Republicans on defense appropriations in an arms race? Could we get to the point where we talk about world hunger and poverty, regardless of how it affects American or multinational corporate profits? Could we ever get over the "American first" paradigm, which is, I think at the core of the progressive world view?

I agree with you that progressives value every life around the world equally. We do not believe the United States has a God-given right to go tell every other country what to do. We do not believe that the United States is divinely inspired, and that the United States is the shining light upon a hill to every other country. That is part of what I call the American superiority complex -- the idea that somehow we are better than any other country in the world. And this is a delusion. There are great parts about this country, especially the Bill of Rights. And there are very dangerous and destructive parts about this country, especially its record in foreign policy over the last 150 years.

If you go back to the Mexican War, the Spanish-American War, and all the way through U.S. interventions, one after another throughout Latin America in the 20th Century, right up to the invasion of Iraq today -- these invasions have cost millions upon millions of lives. Vietnam itself cost 2 million to 3 million lives. When you see all the death that the United States has caused in its foreign policy, it’s a little hard to say that we are God’s gift to the world.

One of the things that concerns me most about the Bush administration is it’s messianic militarism. George W. Bush really does believe that God put him in the Oval Office, when we all know that it was William Rehnquist and four of his cronies. But he thinks that God is speaking through him. That’s what he told some Amish people earlier in the campaign. As Molly Ivins points out, that’s a strange thing to say, because I thought God could conjugate verbs better than that. But it’s a very troubling thing for George W. Bush to be invoking God as his justification. He has said time and time again that we are delivering the gift of freedom to the people in Iraq, but it’s not our gift to deliver -- it’s the gift of God Almighty. And that makes him to be God’s little efficient delivery boy.

There’s no arguing with that in a democracy if he’s going to whip out the God card all the time, because he can just say I’ve got God’s word on this. And furthermore, it’s a particularly inappropriate time to be talking about God in this manner when you consider who the enemy of the United States is. The enemy is al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. And what do they believe? They believe that God is giving them direct instruction. And so why play tug-of-war with Osama bin Laden and make God be the rope? That’s not the game you should be playing.

we need to get past the idea in this country that we are superior to everybody else, that we have God on our side. We need to be respectful of the opinion of mankind -- those are the words in the Declaration of Independence. We don’t have that right now. Certainly Bush-Cheney don’t have it. If we took a more modest view of ourselves in the world, rather than this grandiose, deluded view, the world would be a lot safer place.

A lot of issues are progressive majority issues. Increasing the minimum wage -- a vast majority of people believe in that. Corporations have too much power -- 80 percent of American people believe that. Need for campaign finance and full public financing -- the majority of Americans believe in that. Need for universal health care -- the majority of Americans believe that. Need to spend more on education and on the environment -- the majority of Americans believe that.

On those issues, we really speak for the majority in this country; that is, the progressive movement does. Not on every issue do we represent a majority -- certainly not on the idea, I think, that the United States doesn’t have some God-given right to go rule the world. I think nationalism is such a destructive force, and such a blinding force, and religion too, to some extent. When they combine it can be toxic.

So you have those issues that are of concern, but there are a lot of religious progressives out there as well who are not messianic and who do not believe in the superiority of the United States over others. They believe in helping the poor, whether they are in the United States or whether they’re all over the world, and they really believe in the equality of every human being.

On some levels, yes, we have a majority view. On others, we don’t. Gay marriage, for instance, isn’t a majority position, but progressives hold it tight, as I do, and I think at some point it will become a majority one. I mean, why for all the world should a gay couple that’s been together for 20 years not be allowed to get married, and Brittney Spears can go get married twice in a year at the drop of a hat? I mean, there’s no rational thought to the reason why two gays or two lesbians can’t get married, and heterosexuals can. We should have a rational secular argument, instead of having this religion argument imposed upon us. That violates the First Amendment separation of church and state.

I don’t worry about the apathy. I worry about despair. I should say at the beginning, though, that I think Kerry is going to win, and Kerry will be able to take power on January 21. I don’t think Bush is going to be able to win this thing. When push comes to shove, I think a majority of Americans are going to recognize the dangerous policies and direction he’s taken this country in. But if, by any hook or by crook, George W. Bush manages to get four more years in the Oval Office, it could be very dangerous for this country and for the world.

The policies of this administration have been so retrogressive that our environment is at stake. One intervention after another is likely. The nuclear arms race will continue. The discrepancy in the distribution of wealth and income will grow. The apparatus of regulating corporations will be dismantled. The question over a woman’s right to choose is in the balance. Gay rights are in the balance. And the mood of intolerance in this country -- such as the statement from John Ashcroft, who said, "Those who accuse freedom-loving people of the phantoms of lost liberty are giving aid and ammunition to our enemies." That kind of intolerance has been sweeping the country, and that scares me as well.

I’m very concerned about the fate of this country. I’m worried about what a Bush victory would do to the tens of millions of people who are desperate to see that man out of office. I think people are just going to be despondent. If I were a psychiatrist, I’d clear my calendar from November 2 to November 9 because I’d be expecting a lot of walk-ins. We need to get beyond despair though, even if Bush wins, because, as the great poet W.H. Auden says, "May we beleaguered by the same negation and despair show an affirming flame."

We need to show this affirming flame. The affirming flame is to fight for peace and for justice and civil liberties, regardless of who’s in power. To some extent, as bad as I think Bush is and would be in another term -- no matter who is in power, there is certainly a lot of work to do for progressives.

Well, there’s so much that Cheney said that was distorted that it’s hard to know where to start, but let’s start with Iraq, where he was denying that he was making suggestions that Saddam Hussein was linked with al-Qaeda or 9/11. The fact of the matter is that Cheney has been the leading distorter in this whole thing all along. It was Cheney who said not only did Saddam Hussein have a relationship with al-Qaeda, but Saddam Hussein was teaching and training al-Qaeda in how to make biological and chemical weapons. That’s more than a relationship.

Of course, the 9/11 commission says there is no collaborative operational relationship -- something that Secretary Rumsfeld admitted the other day as well. But you hold Cheney on the record several times in 2003 -- Bush, too, for that matter -- saying that Saddam Hussein was helping al-Qaeda make chemical and biological weapons. When is he ever going to be held responsible for that? When is he going to be held responsible for saying Saddam Hussein had reconstituted nuclear weapons, which he said just a few days before the war on Meet the Press? There’s a lack of accountability there.

When he brought up El Salvador in the debate, I almost fell off my chair, because he was praising U.S. policy in El Salvador in 1980 as being the handmaiden of freedom, when actually it was the handmaiden of terror. The United States was funding and training death squads in El Salvador and the Salvadoran military, which was working hand in glove with those death squads. That civil war cost the lives of 75,000 people. According to the Salvadoran Truth Commission, the vast majority of those people were killed by the death squads and Salvadoran military that the United States was funding. That’s not a success story.

Progressives have a long way to go to build the base, and also to continue to develop progressive media, which BuzzFlash sees as the most important issue. What do you see as the most important thing for progressives to do both in the short term and in the long term? Obviously this effort goes well beyond this election, or even the next election.

Yes, we’ve got to build this mass-based progressive movement at the grass roots and with the alternative media. I’m delighted, actually, with the health of the alternative media right now. I think it’s the healthiest it’s ever been. We’re at a heyday of alternative media, with BuzzFlash, TruthOut, MoveOn.org, and Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now!!, and the Al Franken show. These are all new entities on top of the old ones like The Progressive and The Nation and Mother Jones and In These Times and Z Magazine. And Indy Media is a great resource, too. So there’s a ray of hope, of reaffirmation, among progressives in the alternative media world.

There also needs to be a strong effort within the labor movement and with other nonprofit, service organizations that have been working more together actually this year than in years past. There’s a shared understanding that we need to work together against the tide of reaction that has been tugging at us here for the last, well, really 20 to 25 years, because the Republicans and the right wing have been so organized with their right-wing foundations, funding right-wing institutions, and getting their right-wing talking head in the media, including college newspapers.

They have the infrastructure of right-wing propaganda, and they have been inundating us with it. Up until about 10 years ago, a lot of progressives weren’t responding to that, which was leaving the media field open.

I think the most important thing we need to do though is person-to-person -- to talk to people who don’t agree with us. We need to talk to our neighbors who don’t agree, and we need to not be inward-looking. We really need to communicate with people who don’t agree with us and try to make it clear to them how destructive these policies really are, because that’s how we can engage in politics.

I’m a strong believer in local protest. I think it’s more important than huge national protest, because when your neighbor sees you, or your co-worker sees you, out there protesting in the main intersection in town and they ask why do you feel so strongly about that -- that’s a point where you can really engage in politics and you can say, well, this war is counterproductive. This war is making us less safe. Do we really want our sons and daughters to be going over there and fighting over there? Or whatever the issue is, it’s really the point of departure for a political conversation that can really have an effect on people.

It’s much better than being one of a million in an anonymous crowd. Be one of a hundred at a place where people know you and then can engage in conversation with you. Those are the kinds of conversations we need, to get to that progressive tomorrow.

Hardly a raging Declaration Of Independence hugging revolution-inclined writer!

Next We Had This (Just an Innocent Review: Subject: National Continuity Policy)

National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directives

National Security Presidential Directive/Nspd 51

Homeland Security Presidential Directive/Hspd-20

But let us turn now to his writing of current concern and controversy. Internal links have been provide by (Ed.) as a matter of emphasis and information.

Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

InfraGard: (23,682 MEMBERS (Including FBI))

By Matthew Rothschild, February 7, 2008

Today, more than 23,000 representatives of private industry are working quietly with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. The members of this rapidly growing group, called InfraGard, receive secret warnings of terrorist threats before the public does—and, at least on one occasion, before elected officials. In return, they provide information to the government, which alarms the ACLU. But there may be more to it than that. One business executive, who showed me his InfraGard card, told me they have permission to “shoot to kill” in the event of martial law.

InfraGard is “a child of the FBI,” says Michael Hershman, the chairman of the advisory board of the InfraGard National Members Alliance and CEO of the Fairfax Group, an international consulting firm.

InfraGard started in Cleveland back in 1996, when the private sector there cooperated with the FBI to investigate cyber threats.

“Then the FBI cloned it,” says Phyllis Schneck, chairman of the board of directors of the InfraGard National Members Alliance, and the prime mover behind the growth of InfraGard over the last several years.

InfraGard itself is still an FBI operation, with FBI agents in each state overseeing the local InfraGard chapters. (There are now eighty-six of them.) The alliance is a nonprofit organization of private sector InfraGard members.

“We are the owners, operators, and experts of our critical infrastructure, from the CEO of a large company in agriculture or high finance to the guy who turns the valve at the water utility,” says Schneck, who by day is the vice president of research integration at Secure Computing.

“At its most basic level, InfraGard is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the private sector,” the InfraGard website states. “InfraGard chapters are geographically linked with FBI Field Office territories.”

In November 2001, InfraGard had around 1,700 members. As of late January, InfraGard had 23,682 members, according to its website, www.infragard.net , which adds that “350 of our nation’s Fortune 500 have a representative in InfraGard.”

To join, each person must be sponsored by “an existing InfraGard member, chapter, or partner organization.” The FBI then vets the applicant. On the application form, prospective members are asked which aspect of the critical infrastructure their organization deals with. These include: agriculture, banking and finance, the chemical industry, defense, energy, food, information and telecommunications, law enforcement, public health, and transportation.

FBI Director Robert Mueller addressed an InfraGard convention on August 9, 2005. At that time, the group had less than half as many members as it does today. “To date, there are more than 11,000 members of InfraGard,” he said. “From our perspective that amounts to 11,000 contacts . . . and 11,000 partners in our mission to protect America.” He added a little later, “Those of you in the private sector are the first line of defense.”

He urged InfraGard members to contact the FBI if they “note suspicious activity or an unusual event.” And he said they could sic the FBI on “disgruntled employees who will use knowledge gained on the job against their employers.”

In an interview with InfraGard after the conference, which is featured prominently on the InfraGard members’ website, Mueller says: “It’s a great program.”

The ACLU is not so sanguine.

“There is evidence that InfraGard may be closer to a corporate TIPS program, turning private-sector corporations—some of which may be in a position to observe the activities of millions of individual customers—into surrogate eyes and ears for the FBI,” the the ACLU warned in its August 2004 report The Surveillance-Industrial Complex: How the American Government Is Conscripting Businesses and Individuals in the Construction of a Surveillance Society.

InfraGard is not readily accessible to the general public.

Its communications with the FBI and Homeland Security are beyond the reach of the Freedom of Information Act under the “trade secrets” exemption, its website says. And any conversation with the public or the media is supposed to be carefully rehearsed.

“The interests of InfraGard must be protected whenever presented to non-InfraGard members,” the website states. “During interviews with members of the press, controlling the image of InfraGard being presented can be difficult. Proper preparation for the interview will minimize the risk of embarrassment. . . . The InfraGard leadership and the local FBI representative should review the submitted questions, agree on the predilection of the answers, and identify the appropriate interviewee. . . . Tailor answers to the expected audience. . . . Questions concerning sensitive information should be avoided.”

One of the advantages of InfraGard, according to its leading members, is that the FBI gives them a heads-up on a secure portal about any threatening information related to infrastructure disruption or terrorism.

The InfraGard website advertises this. In its list of benefits of joining InfraGard, it states: “Gain access to an FBI secure communication network complete with VPN encrypted website, webmail, listservs, message boards, and much more.”

InfraGard members receive “almost daily updates” on threats “emanating from both domestic sources and overseas,” Hershman says.

“We get very easy access to secure information that only goes to InfraGard members,” Schneck says. “People are happy to be in the know.”

On November 1, 2001, the FBI had information about a potential threat to the bridges of California. The alert went out to the InfraGard membership. Enron was notified, and so, too, was Barry Davis, who worked for Morgan Stanley. He notified his brother Gray, the governor of California.

“He said his brother talked to him before the FBI,” recalls Steve Maviglio, who was Davis’s press secretary at the time. “And the governor got a lot of grief for releasing the information. In his defense, he said, ‘I was on the phone with my brother, who is an investment banker. And if he knows, why shouldn’t the public know?’ ”

Maviglio still sounds perturbed about this: “You’d think an elected official would be the first to know, not the last.”

In return for being in the know, InfraGard members cooperate with the FBI and Homeland Security. “InfraGard members have contributed to about 100 FBI cases,” Schneck says. “What InfraGard brings you is reach into the regional and local communities. We are a 22,000-member vetted body of subject-matter experts that reaches across seventeen matrixes. All the different stovepipes can connect with InfraGard.”

Schneck is proud of the relationships the InfraGard Members Alliance has built with the FBI. “If you had to call 1-800-FBI, you probably wouldn’t bother,” she says. “But if you knew Joe from a local meeting you had with him over a donut, you might call them. Either to give or to get. We want everyone to have a little black book.”

This black book may come in handy in times of an emergency. “On the back of each membership card,” Schneck says, “we have all the numbers you’d need: for Homeland Security, for the FBI, for the cyber center. And by calling up as an InfraGard member, you will be listened to.” She also says that members would have an easier time obtaining a “special telecommunications card that will enable your call to go through when others will not.”

This special status concerns the ACLU.

“The FBI should not be creating a privileged class of Americans who get special treatment,” says Jay Stanley, public education director of the ACLU’s technology and liberty program. “There’s no ‘business class’ in law enforcement. If there’s information the FBI can share with 22,000 corporate bigwigs, why don’t they just share it with the public? That’s who their real ‘special relationship’ is supposed to be with.

Secrecy is not a party favor to be given out to friends. . . . This bears a disturbing resemblance to the FBI’s handing out ‘goodies’ to corporations in return for folding them into its domestic surveillance machinery.”

When the government raises its alert levels, InfraGard is in the loop. For instance, in a press release on February 7, 2003, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General announced that the national alert level was being raised from yellow to orange. They then listed “additional steps” that agencies were taking to “increase their protective measures.” One of those steps was to “provide alert information to InfraGard program.”

“They’re very much looped into our readiness capability,” says Amy Kudwa, spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security. “We provide speakers, as well as do joint presentations [with the FBI]. We also train alongside them, and they have participated in readiness exercises.”

On May 9, 2007, George Bush issued National Security Presidential Directive 51 entitled “National Continuity Policy.” In it, he instructed the Secretary of Homeland Security to coordinate with “private sector owners and operators of critical infrastructure, as appropriate, in order to provide for the delivery of essential services during an emergency.”

Asked if the InfraGard National Members Alliance was involved with these plans, Schneck said it was “not directly participating at this point.” Hershman, chairman of the group’s advisory board, however, said that it was.

InfraGard members, sometimes hundreds at a time, have been used in “national emergency preparation drills,” Schneck acknowledges.

“In case something happens, everybody is ready,” says Norm Arendt, the head of the Madison, Wisconsin, chapter of InfraGard, and the safety director for the consulting firm Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. “There’s been lots of discussions about what happens under an emergency.”

One business owner in the United States tells me that InfraGard members are being advised on how to prepare for a martial law situation—and what their role might be. He showed me his InfraGard card, with his name and e-mail address on the front, along with the InfraGard logo and its slogan, “Partnership for Protection.” On the back of the card were the emergency numbers that Schneck mentioned.

This business owner says he attended a small InfraGard meeting where agents of the FBI and Homeland Security discussed in astonishing detail what InfraGard members may be called upon to do.

“The meeting started off innocuously enough, with the speakers talking about corporate espionage,” he says. “From there, it just progressed. All of a sudden we were knee deep in what was expected of us when martial law is declared. We were expected to share all our resources, but in return we’d be given specific benefits.” These included, he says, the ability to travel in restricted areas and to get people out.

But that’s not all.

“Then they said when—not if—martial law is declared, it was our responsibility to protect our portion of the infrastructure, and if we had to use deadly force to protect it, we couldn’t be prosecuted,” he says.

I was able to confirm that the meeting took place where he said it had, and that the FBI and Homeland Security did make presentations there. One InfraGard member who attended that meeting denies that the subject of lethal force came up. But the whistleblower is 100 percent certain of it. “I have nothing to gain by telling you this, and everything to lose,” he adds. “I’m so nervous about this, and I’m not someone who gets nervous.”

Though Schneck says that FBI and Homeland Security agents do make presentations to InfraGard, she denies that InfraGard members would have any civil patrol or law enforcement functions. “I have never heard of InfraGard members being told to use lethal force anywhere,” Schneck says.

The FBI adamantly denies it, also. “That’s ridiculous,” says Catherine Milhoan, an FBI spokesperson. “If you want to quote a businessperson saying that, knock yourself out. If that’s what you want to print, fine.”

But one other InfraGard member corroborated the whistleblower’s account, and another would not deny it.

Christine Moerke is a business continuity consultant for Alliant Energy in Madison, Wisconsin. She says she’s an InfraGard member, and she confirms that she has attended InfraGard meetings that went into the details about what kind of civil patrol function—including engaging in lethal force—that InfraGard members may be called upon to perform.

“There have been discussions like that, that I’ve heard of and participated in,” she says.

Curt Haugen is CEO of S’Curo Group, a company that does “strategic planning, business continuity planning and disaster recovery, physical and IT security, policy development, internal control, personnel selection, and travel safety,” according to its website. Haugen tells me he is a former FBI agent and that he has been an InfraGard member for many years.

He is a huge booster. “It’s the only true organization where there is the public-private partnership,” he says. “It’s all who knows who. You know a face, you trust a face. That’s what makes it work.”

He says InfraGard “absolutely” does emergency preparedness exercises. When I ask about discussions the FBI and Homeland Security have had with InfraGard members about their use of lethal force, he says: “That much I cannot comment on. But as a private citizen, you have the right to use force if you feel threatened.”

“We were assured that if we were forced to kill someone to protect our infrastructure, there would be no repercussions,” the whistleblower says. “It gave me goose bumps. It chilled me to the bone.”

Matthew Rothschild is the editor of The Progressive magazine and the author of "You Have No Rights: Stories of America in an Age of Repression." This article, "The FBI Deputizes Business," is the cover story of the March issue of The Progressive.

At Least This Time The Information Is Traveling Quickly! And I’m Going to end here and let the commentary that follows speak for itself! (Ed.)

The FBI has created a private entity, called "InfraGard", which is authorized to shoot to kill during martial law. Insider, Matthew Rothschild, blows the whistle:

Have we worried about becoming a surveillance society?

Why just spy on the citizens when you can kill them?

This description is given:

"At its most basic level, InfraGard is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the private sector. InfraGard is an association of businesses, academic institutions, state and local law enforcement agencies, and other participants dedicated to sharing information and intelligence to prevent hostile acts against the United States. InfraGard Chapters are geographically linked with FBI Field Office territories.

Here is their promotional video:

http://www.infragard.net/media/director_flash.php?mn=1&sm=1-1

Public-private partnerships, are generally known as “soft fascism”, except when the law enforcement function is involved.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1737746/posts

http://www.alternet.org/rights/76388/

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/07/6918/

http://www.progressive.org/mag_rothschild0308

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020708T.shtml

http://www.progressive.org/mag_rothschild0308

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

Maybe we could withstand a constitutional convention?? IMO, the states and individual/s no longer have the constitutional rights that were fought for in WWI, WWII, Korean conflict and Vietnam. The latest undeclared war by congress (but funded) is being used to deteriorate more of what is left of those once inalienable rights.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 1:54pm — Ray (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

This is one of the silliest articles I've read in a long time. It has no basis in reality.
Infragard members are never deputized, they have no rights to "shoot to kill" anyone, and no, they don't get a secret decoder ring.

If you are really interested in the truth, show up at one of the meetings. Its free, all you have to do is fill out a registration form. Then you can gauge how much of a threat the organization is.
But I forget, many people aren't really interested in the truth, and would rather believe this myth that passes for journalism.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 1:52pm — American (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

I love that some InfraGard members are posting on here, telling us "nothing to see, move along."

Sorry, I decline. These things happen by small steps- small increments. Those that are used are not aware of it until afterwards, and sometimes not even then. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't happening. You need to wake up.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 1:47pm — Anonymous (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

too bad so sad for them. Bang-flop

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 1:46pm — Tim Hollis (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

We should counter this shit with some of our own, such as issuing cards that promise immunity to anyone who wants to shoot these fuckers.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 1:39pm — Anonymous (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

Sensationalization of the information that was provided is all this article is about. Trying to create an issue where none exists. Members have no police powers and would not under any circumstances. Any time there is an anonymous source it can not be trusted.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 1:25pm — Anonymous (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

I don't see why you Americans are worried. You all have guns, lots and lots of guns. When the shooting starts at least you will be able to shoot back. We up here in Canada are F*ked. They can kill us like helpless baby seals.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 1:04pm — Anonymous (not verified)

BUSH PLANS FOR PUTTING DOWN U.S. REBELLION FOLLOWING MARTIAL LAW

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 12:19pm — Anonymous (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

InfraGard...sounds like a great way to turn in my loud neighbor or personal enemies or perhaps my boss if I happen to need a promotion.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 12:17pm — Not Priveleged (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

"Our" government is in dire need of anti-psychotic medication. Along with many on the left and right wing fringes of the political spectrum.

"Fear" of some ether-like "Islamofascists," or dwebes wandering around with a card with (gasp) phone numbers on the back - sells to idiots and cowards.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 11:34am — Anonymous (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

ANYONE who thinks that Bush/Cheney are just going to step down peacefully is sadly mistaken.

Whether it takes a false flag "terrorist attack" or by some other means, all indications are that we will have a major disruption of some type, immediately followed by the institution of Martial Law nationwide, and that is why all of these steps are being taken, in order to have all of the puzzle pieces in place before Jan. 09.

The part I really don't understand is what makes all of these "corpora-terrorists" and their ignorantly blissful accomplices think that things will be better for them when all of this happens?!?!

How do corporate profits continue to rise when half of the country is in "internment camps?"
Can anyone explain that to me?

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 11:17am — moabman (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

This is all getting alittle out of hand,and now with marshall law looming, how long are you spinless sheep going take it? before your herded off to an old airbase and methodically exterminated, the Clinton and Bush administrations have redirected the Nation with Fear! Fear that they created, to put forth Bills that take away our rights and undermine Our Constitution!

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 10:58am — Edward Ulysses Cate (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

Those thousands of businesses that are linked into InfraGard are the same plantations controlled by the same Major Holders. You can look up any public corporation you wish on Yahoo! or MSN and check out the Institutional Holders. This is some of what I do at GreatRedDragon.com

Although their funds are OPM (Other People's Money) the SEC documents clearly show they can vote all the shares at once. That's why the TV Networks, Newspapers, Magazines and other media are so controlled. Wouldn't have believed it was so tight until we saw what they did to Dennis Kuchinich and Ron Paul, as well as others.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 10:49am — Anonymous (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

Hi,

This is not fascism - it is the groundwork of communism. Hitler was a mere student of Marx-Trotsky-Lenin but with more compassionate qualities (his reluctance to bomb civilian populations until after Churchill started that debacle). Remember that Stalin committed the greatest holocaust (odd word but very useful for categorizing people) by killing and starving over 20 million men, women and children in the Ukraine. It was never pure communism any more than Mao's China. It is always egalitarian-elitist dictatorship with a commie flavor.

It's all perfectly OK as long as you don't mess with the individual man or woman's right to live as they please (provided they don't damage any other man or woman or their property). BUT - you do, and then we hear the gerbils parrot the party line of separation of men and women from each other - such as the jihad bullshit. Look to see who has been programmed to attack others by using slogan names - these are the new gerbils of America. Keep them fed, happy on their couches in front of the mesmer tube, provide the chance at good sex and the pretense of reasoning - Oila - communism at it's best. Americans no more - now a good breeder race for the Communist World Order, comrad.

Folks - you gotta make fun of these commie assholes, even if you carry a weapon. They are the pathetic dregs of what nobility men and women are truly capable of. Redland Security indeed. But even in the newly created cesspools there are many men and women who do have conscience and truly care for the genuine rights of their countrymen and all men and women everywhere. Once again - you are free to choose to beware of categories, don't fall into the trap of identifying everyone as genuine turds that float to the top of every cesspool (often found in politics and big business and military).

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 10:45am — B.A. Brooks (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

It is time to draw our line in the sand. For those of you who are not going submit join The American Resistance Movement now. Listen to Freedom Fighter Radio every week night for more information.
B.A. Brooks
http://www.uaff.us
http://www.americanresistancemovement.us

Freedom Fighter Radio
http://www.freedomfighterradio.net

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 10:44am — Flo (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

Just remember-- I'm not practicing law here, but as I understand self-defense, any citizen who feels they, or someone elses, life or limb is threatened, whether by a corporate lacky for a tyranny of martial law, or a rouge police officer, they have the lawful right to "defend" themselves against that threat with deadly force, if they feel the need.

What this article touches on is the possiblity there is an illegal "immunity" for one's actions.

That problem may be solved when a citizen in an emergency kills an employee working for Morgan-Stanley who pulled a gun on him/them.

It all depends on who's side you are on, and who's life and limb your saving, doesn't it. And the problem is, there are so many sides.

All of us must ask ourselves. Which side are you on? More life, and worse, like this under globalism, or a return to principles established for a free republic by our founding fathers to guide this country?

Which side are you on?

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 10:40am — Anonymous (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

The best thing that could happen to America right now would be another depression, one that makes the Great Depression look like a party, bankrupting US Fed, state & local gov'ts, and forcing all these gov't sponsored thugs, in both public & private sector, to stand in bread & soup lines instead of living off the tax dollars of those of us who sweat & labor for a living. Only this time, real Americans, those that believe in a literal translation of the Constitution, those that believe in individual liberty over corporate/state authority, those that believe freedom & security are not mutually exclusive entities, will prevent the members of the Round Table from rewriting the rules, once again, to benefit the global elite.

We in American must stand with our brothers & sisters in Central/South America who are struggling to throw off the shackles of 400 yrs of colonial rule. We must stand with our brothers & sisters in Africa, Asia & anywhere else working people fight for human rights, individual liberty and the right of self-determination. The only way to stop the elite from taking over the whole planet is to starve them of funds. Starve them of our tax dollars. Starve them of our labor. For, without our assistance, their plans of global domination cannot be completed. And, for any American out there that thinks this is all far fetched, take a good look around you.

The gap between the rich & poor is greater now than at any time in our nation's history, even greater than that of the Guilded Age which led us into the Great Depression. They won't stop until we're just another third world nation. They're greed knows no bounds. Wake up, people, before it's too late.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 10:36am — Theresa Mitchell (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

This will be discussed on KBOO 90.7fm Portland/kboo.fm

One of the airings will be next Thursday at 9AM.

Thanks for the heads-up!

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 10:12am — Jim (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

Frankly, it is time for the far left and far right to come together. Even with differences we both respect the Constitution and seem to be the only folks who see this coming.

The CorpaGovernment does not honor the Constitution - they want to keep us squabbling over small matters, a la "divide and conquer" while they trash our liberties and sovereignty for the Only thing they care about - Money and Power.

We can quibble After This Present Danger is over. There are no enemies in a foxhole.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 9:58am — Donald F. Trua (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

http://www.mathaba.net/rss/?x=581098

FBI's Privatized Troops: InfraGard

More than 23,000 representatives of private industry are working quietly with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security known as the Infragard. They have permission to ''shoot to kill'' in the event of martial law.

by Matthew Rothschild
(The Progressive)

Note:

These operations derive from "OPSEC" listed here:

http://www.ioss.gov /

Training class of interest listed here:

http://www.ioss.gov/training/course_listing_2008.htm

OPSE-2400, DoD OPSEC Program Manager's Course "Classroom only"

For the record, I've studies all their modules and was taken-back by the "Deception Management" module that is designed to hid a "Front Companys" real actitivites.

For emphasis, these operations are promoted in the name of security that are designed to protect our "National Security", what's not known and hidden is how this program is used to
destroy lives that know the truth about these operations and is why there are no legal remedies in that most lawyers are part of the program.

In reality these programs are the same thing that the SA was to Nazi Germany in the 1940s. Those programs too where promoted to protect "National Security" that killed over 6 million people:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturmabteilung

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERsa.htm

Sturmabteilung

The Sturmabteilung (help·info), abbreviated SA, (German for "Storm division", usually translated as "stormtroop(er)s"), functioned as a paramilitary organization of the NSDAP — the German Nazi party. It played a key role in Adolf Hitler's rise to power in the 1930s.

SA men were often called "brownshirts", for the color of their uniforms, and to distinguish them from the Schutzstaffel (SS), who wore black and brown uniforms (compare the Italian blackshirts). Brown-colored shirts were chosen as the SA uniform because a large batch of them was cheaply available after World War I, having originally been ordered for German troops serving in Africa.

The SA was also the first Nazi paramilitary group to develop pseudo-military titles for bestowal upon its members. The SA ranks would be adopted by several other Nazi Party groups, chief among them the SS. They were very important to Hitler's rise to power until they were superseded by the SS after the Night of the Long Knives.

Love "Light" and Energy

_Don

http://theominousparallels.blogspot.com/

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 9:58am — angry_diane (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

""note with sorrow that many posters would prefer there be no pro-active efforts to intercept terrorism before it happens""

tbis is the same reasoning that allowed hitler and his madness take control of germany - people need to get their heads out of their ass and do something NOW - impeach the bastards - I do not want to live under martial law - but with my big mouth, I would be off to the camps within no time at all,,,mein kampt bush HEIL!!

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 9:40am — A Patriot (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

As a member of Infragard, I can tell you that at no time has the FBI discussed any sort of "shoot to kill" authorization in the event of Martial Law with any of it's chapters. That's just simply nonsense - more left wing slop put forth by ..... well, you know who you are.

We ARE the protectors of the nations infrastructure. We DO collaborate with law enforcement in an effort to secure our nation's interests. We ACT in the interest of the USA and it's supporters, not subversive slime that would allow this nation to become another third world hell hole.

I personally am interested in preserving our borders, language and culture - an will do whatever I can to preserve these ideals....including slap down you left-wing moon-bats who spend way too much time thinking about why it's so bad that some of us are man enough to step up to defending our great nation. Can you believe some of these 25,000 word responses.....GET A JOB!

You can all begin whining now.....nobodies listening! :-)

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 9:31am — Anonymous InfraGard Member (not verified)

What a crock!

I must've received the wrong ID card, since mine doesn't say a damn thing about martial law, any authority I have under martial law, or anything else. All mine has is a bunch of phone numbers to call if I can't remember my forum password.

Oh, and "Businesses" aren't deputized. Neither are InfraGard members. Nobody is deputized, you ignoramic imibicile. If you bothered to actually READ the InfraGard website like you claim to have, you would know exactly what their mission is.

Then again, you're a supposed 'journalist', which means you don't have to do that, right? You just write whatever comes to mind and expect people to believe you. And based on the comments of the brain-dead posters, they (with few exception) believed everything you said.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 9:21am — Matthew from Orlando (not verified)

Come out fo the fascist closet.

If this doesn't reek of Fascism please tell me what I'm missing.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 9:18am — Anonymous (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

This is one of the most alarming articles I have read in recent weeks. If people, the likes of those at Enron, are to be given special rights over the rest of us, we are in big trouble! But, I would hope at this point, most people realize this. Welcome to the IV Reich.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 9:10am — Anonymous (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

http://www.infragard.net/

This is the home page for Infragard. They openly ask for membership and have a section on local chapters. They seem etirely open to public involvement.

Am not sure what else you might want in any effort to help to protect vital services?

Please, someone who is concerned, why not join them and inform all of us as to how they work. Right now i am not convinced that they are divious. Check out their web page.

tim price
fairlee, Vt

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 9:01am — Anonymous (not verified)

*****Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business*****

This is ludicrous. I have been a member of Infragard since it's inception in 1996. The goals are not to be better than other citizens, or to disenfranchise any part of the citizenry, but to bring the skills of professionals into a focused effort to improvesecurity and communication for all.

To suggest that the organization is a function of the FBI is ridiculous. To say that it is a program supportedby the FBI is true. To even suggest that any citizen group might be armed and given the directive to protect critical infrastructure with deadly force under the authority of a government entity is just yellow journalism and rumor mongering. This is just so Daily Mirror reporting. I'm astonished.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 9:00am — peggy (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

It's all adding up, and now we know why Haliburton built all those camps. Corporate power derived from their legal status as "persons" is stripping away our democracy. No tin foil hats required.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 8:47am — Diamondman007 (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

This dove-tails perfectly with Senate Bill 1959, The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorist Act of 2007.

This is all designed to ensnare anyone who openly questions "State Mandated Reality", at anytime. What is so sickening is our nation is full of spineless bootlicking traitors who will sell-out anyone for a pat on the head by those in corrupt power.

Talk to anyone who lived through the rise of Hitler and was in Germany in those times...the Nazi 4th Reich is here and is new and improved!

It's going to get real ugly soon and don't think for one moment that you are going to vote these Nazi-Fascists out of office because, as we have seen with the voter fraud and rigged voting machines and media control...it's a staged event!

Hitlery Clinton has already long since been crowned as "Big Sister" and John McInsane, is just a cattle prod to drive the brainless ignorant sheeple to Hitlery as a lesser of two monsters.

Hitlery, is going to show the world what a REAL Marxist-Fascsist police-state is to look like. If you think King George was bad...just wait till Hitlery has control of the maggots in the FBI and Homeland SS!

When the shooting starts, and it's coming sooner than you may think...those of you who stand by this criminal government will pay just as the French did who supported their nazi rulers in WWII.

Remember traitors, we patriots out number you millions-to-one and our numbers are growing larger everyday. Traitors, be afraid! Be very, very afraid! We WILL be making examples out of you when it all starts coming down.

Lets see if your overlords will protect you when they too are on the run for their filthy rancid lives.

Infagard will just be another filthy memory.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 8:46am — Tony DeMatteo (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

The people of this country need to stand up to Islamo-Fascism and quit your whining. When Homeland Security tells you to move along, don't ask why, just freaking do it. If you are a left leaning, liberal cry baby, there is no reason for you to live. We will lead, you will follow and stay the hell out of the way!!

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 8:44am — Fred Olsen (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

Try to get your pals over at Public Radio to do an hour on this.

They'll shut you down so fast it'll make your head spin.

They know very well what THEIR job is WHEN martial law comes-- hell, they are already doing their job of happy-talk reality creation with a vengeance.

Did you know citizens can't ask questions about the WPR budget on-air? Did you know that citizens who ask troublesome questions get banned from speaking with Listener Services because the questions are "upsetting" to the staff?

There's quite a bit more. I've got a 1st amendment legal foundation beginning to work with me on these things.

They used you, Matt. They used you so they could point to you and say "We covered all the bases" when they did one limited hour with you during a pledge drive and a hundred hours with neocons and crypto-neocons.

Public Radio isn't public any more.

Fred Olsen
414-546-2494

PS I am running for the WPRA board in the spring election. They are not allowing any election safeguards for the vote counting.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 8:39am — Anonymous (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

It's good to see the FBI getting serious about domestic security, especially threats to critical infrastructure. And a partnership with private industry is a good way to go.

I note with sorrow that many posters would prefer there be no pro-active efforts to intercept terrorism before it happens. These same posters would be moaning a lot louder if terrorists sabotaged the electrical grid, or blew up a few oil refineries and caused a gasoline shortage.

How strange that so many Americans are naive enough to deny the reality or even the possibility of foreign enemies.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 8:25am — lol (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

Hehe. This article made me laugh. I'm a software engineer who specializes in analyzing pc virus's. I'm a member of Infraguard.

Seriously, get a grip. This article is pure hysteria. Infraguard is simply a group of nerds like me who have an interest in security as it relates to infrastructure (i.e. Internet, power lines, gas lines, traffic lights etc).

I'm gonna pass the article to some peers so they can get a good laugh.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 7:01am — Michael W. Lurie (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

This has GOT to stop. We need to turn our surveillance society back into one based on personal liberty, justice and the freedom from being watched. Sadly, most of our politicians are so busy hanging onto their power and compromised that it will take independents coming into office to start to turn this around. Please check my Facebook group, as I am running for U.S. Senate from the state of NY in 2010. It's not THE government; it is OUR government...do something!

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 6:59am — Michael W. Lurie (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 6:44am — Anonymous (not verified)

The Fanatics Deputizes more Fanatics - who made them the boss?

1. What? Haven't they got enough agents to go around agitating?

2. Sounds like a great program! Problem is why do I want to shoot my own countrymen, brothers and sisters? Are we really that different? Ordinary citizens?

3. This applies to InfraGard members too: Be wary of anything that (even your own) big government (BIG STRANGER as opposed to BIG BROTHER) peddles or plants in your mind. Can it be better than the protections, rights and freedoms that we've already won in the War of Independence?

4. For over 230 years, the Declaration of Independence has stood as a document that explained why we separated from Great Britain and what we were trying to accomplish. In 1789 we ratified the U.S. Constitution, and that working document has served us well for 226 years. The idea of removing safeguards that prevent a dictatorship of the executive branch or another branch is abhorrent to most Americans.

5. We are all Americans Left and Right, and that as Americans, we are ALL in danger, right up to the lower and middle upper class, even upper upper and so on upward.

6. So arms, an informed citizenry, were mainly to stop dictators, provide a bulwark against dictators--not help them--as probably now one of the most dangerous things that you'll ever face in your lifetime is your own government/dictators or other over-centralized power (often monstrous in size, force or dictates). Loosen the grip (of satan)!

7. How can corporations have the 'right to bear arms', fly, drive, go out out their house (when individuals can not)?

8. I mean coporations don't even exist, only as ficticous entities, an artificial person, an artificial creation.

9. Corporations are non-living, non-breathing, legal fictions. They feel no pain. They don't need clean water to drink, fresh air to breathe, or healthy food to consume. They can live forever. They can't be put in prison. They can change their identity or appearance in a day, change their citizenship in an hour, rip off parts of themselves and create entirely new entities. Some have compared corporations with robots.

10. Just like these mystical instruments of robber barons (taking over by taking over the economics) have messed up (fear mongered through crashing/collapsing your economy) the ecomony, they want to mess up a lot more (think depopulation, panic, crises, rececession, depression, inflation, merger, restructure, takeover, silent or hostile, retrench, out-source, downsize, siphon, nationalize, move off-shore, balkanize, confiscate, raid, seize, transfer, unemploy, cut, globalize, the Indians, Inquisition, etc). Feral Bureau of Inquisition. And it's coming back! Americans learn this part of world's fanatical, religious history!

11. To do away with the last bastion of self-reliance and rugged individualism, it's all INDIVIDUALS who will suffer at the hands of these artificial, invisible, ficticious, profiteering, inhumane, robotic, machine-like abstractions or clubs, 'elite businesses' strata or paper corporations and written laws (artifical persons; not man), which actually don't even exists apart from man's fantasy and imagination or disguise.

12. It all boils down to a contest of the last two most evil associates, like a Pope and his Archbishop or God and his, Lucifer and his. It's a pointless, destructive match. It's not constructive. It's un-American because it's uncessary, unfair and evil. Like unnecessary wars, unnecessary hells. It's just plain deconstructive!

13. This is transferring power away to individuals who already had that power, that 'right to bear arms'. And implying that this power now belongs to a 'business class', corporations and businesses, artificial entities, that don't even exists, is like having us turn the gun ourself (one of their favorite tactics) instead of protecting ourselves, our own property and families--that's something I don't hear much about--a right that we already had). So these 'edicts' are unnecessary repitition or obsfucation of a right not issued by them but what we already have against totalitarian dictatorship or against concentrated power-for-evil, as we've learned, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

14. Remember that saying, 'politics make strange bedfellows' (unfit 'leaders', semi-dictators, megalomaniacs in D.C. promised Iraq security in the Iran/Iraq war too, then look what happened). You may also be purged, if you are silly enough to fall for it lock, stock and barrel. Take their 'assurances' with a grain of salt! The tables can turn (on you) at any time, if you feed the monster. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! And certainly, don't blow a hole in your own foot.

15. The darkest dictators (or would be) are trying to coordinate a shooting match. But most people can see through it, the Classical conditioning (also Pavlovian conditioning).

16. Their goal is a lot of people dead regardless of infrastructure. And that applies to InfraGard members too.

See GLOBAL 2000 - Depopulation Program: The Plan to Kill Three Billion Entities.

http://home.iae.nl/users/lightnet/creator/global2000.htm

17. Values of self-reliance and rugged individualism are just not in the (stacked) cards. What do you think?

18. Making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 4:44am — Anonymous (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

Of course! All good dictatorships need informants. I think everyone should go rent the movie 'The Killing Fields'... whya you ask? Because it's coming to a neighborhood near you!

Just keep voting for pigs like McCain, Obama, Clinton, and the rest... they love you... TO DEATH!!!

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 3:42am — Pseudolus (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

So, does the FBI give them decoder rings too?

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 2:44am — Anonymous (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

Perfect -what a concept. But just think their children and family members that work are going to have to go through the same thing. I wonder what they'll think of the program then.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 2:02am — Anonymous President (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

Let's keep some perspective on this. This organization is to protect the infastructure of our country in the event of a catastrophic event.

The reason these new members are told to follow a press related protocol is because unfortunately, the bad guys watch the same media coverage we all do.

It is rad that as americans we are able to freely question our government and it's policies, but don't forget - there are a lot of bad people out there who want to destroy this country. That's a fact.

Yes, let us always be wary of a strong, central, federalized government, though let us also have the courage, wisdom and steadfastness to come together as a nation and steer our country through these trying times.

I might just be a crazy interloping drifter - but if there's one thing I know - America kicks ass, freedom kicks ass, and liberty shall kick the ass of the Jihadi mvmnt.

Class dismissed.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 12:22am — Lori Price (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

Arming the Left: Is the time now? --by Charles Southwell 21 Oct 2003 As long as we pose no REAL threat to the powers-that-be, to what is shaping up into [is] a dictatorship, we will continue to be ignored. Right now, we are ignored because we present no organized power to fight this onslaught of anti-democratic, totalitarian government that we are up against...
http://www.legitgov.org/essay_southwell_arming_the_left_is_the_time_now_102203.html

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 12:07am — David (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

When martial law comes ,there will be a round up of the patriots movement.As America will want them all in FEMA camps when they implement the North American Union.it won't be pretty to see ,the public will be told they are home grown terrorists,that they were planning to attack America.Just prior to the crack down the 2nd amendment will fall.

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 12:00am — Joseph Bernard (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

Who is looking out for the rights of the people. With Bush, Blackwater and this InfraGard, we are quickly becoming a fascist state and people in general are oblivious to what is happening.

When are we going to learn to pay attention and question what is going on. Maybe after members of our family or our friends are taken away as enemy combatants for speaking up against what is going on?

This is not right. This needs to be on front page of every newspaper with the following headline: The FBI Has A Citizen's Posse That Will Shot To Kill

We need to get together and come up with some positive plans for America's future or there is no future for America.

Joseph

Joseph Bernard
www.peace-together.com
www.ExploreLifeBlog.com

Thu, 02/07/2008 - 11:34pm — Anonymous (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

I thought C.O.P.S. were a bad sign of the end times.

Thu, 02/07/2008 - 11:21pm — Larry Leija (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

I'm disgusted with the numerous people in our country who have little disregard for the freedoms that are embodied in our Constitution. Traitors, all of them! These corporations would not be part of this fascist agenda unless there were fairly good incentives to participate, beyond those that would be available WHEN(?) martial law is declared. I'm no liberal, communist or socialist. I'm an American. Those who believe and DO what the Constitution says are American. Those who DO NOT are UN-American.

Thu, 02/07/2008 - 10:29pm — Lou (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

"Exclusive",....Hardly, this has been going on since the end of WWII,where have you been, remember J.Edgar the guy that liked to ware womens dresses, well, the FBI had a pact with certian industries back then spying on there labor force. It has just evolved, gotton larger, shades of 1984 anyone, only thing is this isn't fiction, it's reality sheeple and it's your tax dollars paying for it, talk about irony.

Thu, 02/07/2008 - 10:18pm — REY (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

The" police states of america" coming soon with it's corporate police ....what is the difference with kgb spying on russian citizens when the communist were ruling the ussr or the gestapo in germany during adolf hitler...they all came up with legal reasons: russia to protect his citizens against "imperialist invaders" the nazi against the communist errorists...america today against islamo fascism terror..all fabricated lies to give the rulers more power to themselves.

America the land of the "ones who think they are free" came up with the legal reasons. The "war on terror (9/11)" never mind there was never any investigation to confirm the government version of the event..

9/11 is obviously a golden goose for the military and security industrial complex and the perfect excuse for the right wing zionist neo cons to over ride the constitution and turn this country into a military dictatorship with private contractors to act as fedral agencies........fascism on the way!

Thu, 02/07/2008 - 7:28pm — Peter Carriveau (not verified)

Bring on the Secret Police!

This sounds like a cheap way for the government to monitor any activity it deems "suspicious". The poor man's secret police built on privilege, and preferred status. Just one more way the government scares regular folk into believing there is more to fear in the world, although the only thing I fear is my government subjugating me.

Thu, 02/07/2008 - 6:16pm — me (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

oh jeebus help us... there might be an election, but Dick and Bushy ain't gonna leave peacefully.

Send 'em to Prison before they make their move.

Dick/Bush - Prison 2008

Thu, 02/07/2008 - 5:14pm — whatever (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

'WHEN" .... not " IF " ......... !!!

Well, that is certainly reassuring........

I wonder, do these Infragard members get to herd the rest of us into cattle cars (that somebody in Infragard owns?) to take us to their 'internment' camps....?

These days, very few things disgust me as much as the FBI and Homeland SS-ecurity.....

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 1:54pm — Ray (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 1:52pm — American (not verified)

Re: Exclusive! The FBI Deputizes Business

I love that some InfraGard members are posting on here, telling us "nothing to see, move along."

Sorry, I decline. These things happen by small steps- small increments. Those that are used, are not aware of it until afterwards, and sometimes not even then. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't happening. You need to wake up.

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WASHINGTON, D.C., January 4, 2005 – The Board of Directors of the InfraGard National Members Alliance today announced the appointment of Mr. Michael ...

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Welcome to the new InfraGard National Members Alliance (INMA) website. We are excited about the debut of what we hope will be a world class public website ...

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