TSA/DHS sets their sites on mass transit, want to spy on Americans.
The Transportation Security Administration already shares intelligence it collects with airports. Now a House bill would expand TSA's intel sharing to local mass transit systems as well.
Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), the bill's sponsor, said the legislation is a "common sense approach" to fighting terrorism. The House passed the bill May 30 and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is now considering the bill.
In an interview with The Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Emily Kopp, Speier said the bill creates "fusion centers," where TSA can provide intel to local law enforcement and emergency management officials.
"We have put in place through TSA a very elaborate system [in airports]. We all go through those metal detectors and those secondary searches. And we've put a lot of focus on the airlines for good reason. But we have neglected the mass transit components, generally speaking," she said.
Speier said 2 million people fly each day, compared with more than 5 million who ride the subway each day in New York City alone. She pointed out that the most recent terrorist attacks have been on mass transit. Also, when U.S. Special Forces raided Osama Bin Laden's compound last year, intelligence gathered revealed the next attack was intended for mass transit.
"The writing is on the wall. We need to be better prepared than we are right now," Speier said. Transit riders probably won't see more TSA agents in subways or bus stops, though, Speier said. The expanded TSA role falls more on analysts, she said.
http://www.federalnewsradio.com/482/2914641/House-bill-extends-TSA-intel-sharing-to-mass-transit
TSA to take over all mass transit systems?
One of the most atrocious and hated government agencies, the Transportation Security Administration, (TSA) may gain massive power over all mass transit systems due to a new bill sponsored by Jackie Speier, Democrat from California.
House Resolution 3140 (H.R. 3140) has already passed the House, and now is in the Senate awaiting a vote. This bill if passed, will allow total intelligence sharing by the TSA with all local mass transit systems. This in my opinion, is a first step in allowing TSA to take over “security” for mass transit operations nationwide.
According to this article from Federalnewsradio.com:
“Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), the bill’s sponsor, said the legislation is a “common sense approach” to fighting terrorism. The House passed the bill May 30 and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is now considering the bill.”
Of course, the stated reasoning for another assault on our liberty is to protect us all from terrorism. This is nothing more than fear-mongering rhetoric. This bill creates more fusion centers so that the TSA can store and give “intelligence” (illegal surveillance records) to local law enforcement. It only enhances spying, and the sharing of ill-gotten private information about the citizenry.
This is a great example of incrementalism, and is a way for the TSA and the Department of Homeland Security to not only get another foot in the door, but to eventually take full control of all security and surveillance in the U.S. The local police, and “state” military forces will play a role, but they will be fully controlled at the federal level. The end result will be that we all live under the rule of the very few in a dictatorial oligarchy.
What will be the next step in the federal takeover of America? It seems to matter little, as the masses continue wallowing in their apathy, dependence, and fear!
http://garydbarnett.com/GDBdaily/?p=840
FBI gets a broader role in coordinating domestic intelligence activities.
The FBI has been given an expanded role in coordinating the domestic intelligence-gathering activities of the CIA and other agencies under a plan enacted this year by Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr., officials said.
The bureau’s highest-ranking field agents now also serve as the DNI’s representatives across the country. The change is intended to improve collaboration, but some officials say it has created new friction between the FBI and CIA.
One former U.S. official said senior FBI agents recently used a meeting with executives from major manufacturing companies on the West Coast to instruct them to cut off contact with the CIA.
The FBI’s message was that “they were now in charge of relationships with the corporate sector, so the folks there should feel no need to deal with the agency,” said the former U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic. The FBI agents apparently were not aware that a former CIA officer was among the executives in attendance. The former official declined to provide more details about the location of the meeting or its participants.
FBI spokesman Michael Kortan said that officials could not confirm the alleged incident and that such a statement to company executives by an FBI agent would be inaccurate.
Although the CIA is best known for its spy work overseas, the agency has stations in most major U.S. cities.
The FBI dramatically expanded its domestic intelligence-gathering operations as part of a reorganization after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Flynn said the DNI program is not meant to disrupt CIA efforts in the United States. “This program doesn’t change the authorities of the CIA, the Department of Homeland Security or anybody else in the system,” he said. “But there is more of a responsibility to share and work together.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/fbi-gets-a-broader-role-in-coordinating-domestic-intelligence-activities/2012/06/19/gJQAtmupoV_story.html
TSA- Advancing the security baseline.
TSA staff has worked closely with FTA colleagues to develop and publish the Security and Emergency Preparedness Action Items, an update of the former Top 20 Security Actions for Mass Transit Agencies produced in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Coordinated with members of the TCLDR-GCC and the Mass Transit SCC, the newly enhanced Action Items represent a comprehensive and systematic approach to elevate baseline security posture and enhance security program management and implementation. They address the current security risks that confront transit agencies today and priority areas where gaps need to be closed in security and emergency preparedness programs. The 17 Action Items cover a range of areas including security program management and accountability, security and emergency response training, drills and exercises, public awareness, protective measures for the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) threat levels, physical security, personnel security, and information sharing and security.
Through the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP), DHS has allocated $547 million to date to 60 of the Nation's mass transit and passenger rail systems in 25 states and the District of Columbia.
http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/tsnm/mass_transit/sec_baseline.shtm