STATE INTELLIGENCE centers, including one in Virginia, are sifting through commercial and governmental databases that contain personal information on millions of Americans, according to a report by The Washington Post.
The Post found that intelligence centers in some states are gathering unlisted cell phone numbers, insurance claims, driver's license photographs and credit reports. If that makes Virginians a bit uncomfortable, they should feel reassured by protections added to state law this year at the insistence of Sen. Ken Stolle.
The Virginia Beach Republican forced changes in a far-reaching intelligence bill that slipped through the House of Delegates without any scrutiny or debate. Passed on a 97-1 vote, it allowed the Virginia Fusion Intelligence Center, the State Police and other law enforcement agencies to collect criminal and other types of data while keeping secret the extent of their information-gathering.
Stolle, a former Navy intelligence officer, recognized the mischief that could occur if the intelligence operation were given blanket permission to horde personal information without adequate oversight. He had the bill rewritten requiring it to establish a system for classifying and, just as importantly, declassifying information it collected.
Stolle's efforts oblige intelligence officials to review their databases annually and to remove information not related to terrorist activities. The bill that was adopted fairly balances national security and public accountability.
The extent to which fusion centers are dipping into commercial databases came as a surprise to many and likely would have caused some Virginia leaders to cringe if Stolle had not already anticipated the danger and carved out privacy protections. It's a good thing someone in Richmond is actually reading the bills.
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Reaping
One reaps what one sows. We allowed a "President" & his "Yes Men" to scare us into a war, the "Patriot Act" & other asinine circumstances. We are now seeing the fruits of our failures to reign in a dim-witted cowboy & his cantankerous sidekick & their ardent followers.
We should all be ashamed, that we allowed our nation to be bamboozled by a bunch of greedy, hawkish, oilmen, backed by some overzealous military leaders, over-charging defense contractors, all led by a lifetime D+ student.
Our grandchildren, I pray not, may pay for our failures....
The Patriot Act - Part B
Agreed George and Reid. This sounds of the beginning of the state version of The Patriot Act.
I agree with George on this point
George, you hit that nail squarely on the head.
Reid
"What happen to the Constitutional requirement for the need for probable cause before the government could begin snooping into the private matters of its law abiding citizens?"
You can thank George Bush for that one and the elected officials that voted for it.
I agree - good job Senator Stolle
I am pleased that Senator Stolle attempted to add some protections for citizens in Virginia, thank you Senator Stolle.
However, perhaps the entire program should be cancelled?
What happen to the Constitutional requirement for the need for probable cause before the government could begin snooping into the private matters of its law abiding citizens?
What happened to our right to privacy and to be secure in our homes and persons from unlawful and unreasonable search and seizure?
First we are inflicted with HB 3202 – which was found to be unconstitutional by the Virginia Supreme Court. A bill that Senator Stolle aggressively supported. Now this?
Perhaps Senator Stolle and his colleagues up in Richmond should have voted “No” to this type of fishing expedition in the first place?
I wonder how Congresswoman Drake voted on similar Federal legislation?