Words, Damned Words

As you read these words, are you receiving or collecting information? Does it make a difference?

Since 1878, the military has been prohibited from domestic law enforcement activities. Yet, the 902nd Military Intelligence Group spends part of its day surfing the Internet, particularly sites that seem to have an activist bent. When a suspicious site is found, information from that site is downloaded, e-mails between people visiting that site are intercepted. The information "received " then goes through a data mining process involving databases of domestic law enforcement units. If, in the judgment of the 902nd, there is a possibility of something bad happening (such as an anti-war demonstration), the local police are notified of the danger. This sounds like being involved in domestic law enforcement activities to me.

The Army disagrees with my judgment. Military rules prevent soldiers from gathering information on American citizens. However, the military operates on the basis that 'receiving' information - including information from the Web - is permitted. It is on this premise that twenty anti-war groups have been monitored for the past three years. It is on this premise that they may be watching you read this and noting that fact.