LAT: Deputies' Questions (for Pomona College prof) Unsettle University

[DeepModem Mom]

Deputies' Questions Unsettle University
'Chilling effect' is feared after a Pomona College professor is queried on his links to Venezuela.
By Richard Winton and J. Michael Kennedy, Times Staff Writers
March 11, 2006


A Pomona College professor of Latin American history said Friday that he was questioned about his Venezuela connections by two Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies working for a federal task force and called the quizzing an intrusion on his academic freedom.

The college's president weighed in as well, saying he feared the "chilling effect" such visits could have on academia.

Professor Miguel Tinker-Salas said the deputies entered his office without an appointment Tuesday during hours normally set aside for student conferences. He said the deputies were there for about 25 minutes and asked him about the Venezuelan community and his relationship with it. They also told him he was not the subject of an investigation.

"They cast the Venezuelan community as a threat," said Tinker-Salas, an outspoken critic of U.S. policy in Latin America who was born in Venezuela. "They asked me if the Venezuelan government had influenced me one way or another. I think they were fishing to see if I had any information they could use."

Sheriff Lee Baca said Friday that his deputies were doing nothing more than gathering information on the political situation in Venezuela for a federal anti-terrorism task force coordinated by the FBI. But he said he would discourage workplace interviews in the future, especially with members of academia....


http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-prof11mar11,0,6118935.story

[havocmom]

1. If it was a legitimate anti-terrorism (IF such even exists!) not deputies!

Doubt any serious anti-terrorism investigation would involve sending local deputies to question someone! The suits are VERY territorial; often to the point of not even telling local law enforcement they are in the 'hood snoopin around.

Yep, all terra all the time to justify any sort of questionable investigation.

Sheriff Lee Baca, I'm calling bull shit on your excuse for what amounts to intimidation tactic.

[Joanne98]

2. This is not the job of LA Co Sherriff Deputies!!!!!!!!

He should SUE THEM!

[BiggJawn]

3. "It Can't Happen HERE!"

Written by Sinclair Lewis back in the 1930's. As relevant NOW as it was THEN.

Is Tinker-Salas in that dumbass Whore-o-witz's book of "dangerous LI-Bu-Rul perfessers"?