Shocking abuse of power by the Federal Government in IA

[Ficus]

http://desmoinesregister.com/news/stories/c2229999/23493867.html

or at least it's shocking to me...

A few anti-war protesters protested the Iraq War at Camp Dodge, the local Army Reserve base. There was apparently a meeting at Drake University here in Des Moines about it before hand. The people arrested have been issued subpoenas and have been falsely told this was an investigation of the Anti-Terror Task Force. The Gov't issued some other crazy subpoenas asking for membership information of the group that organized the protest, and wants to know if anyone was in charge.

some excerpts:

Authorities are looking at possible criminal violations on Nov. 16 or "prior agreements to violate federal law."

...

Federal authorities last week ordered the university to turn over campus security records reflecting any observations of the conference, including "any records of persons in charge or control of the meeting and any records of attendees of the meeting."

...

That subpoena also requires the university to hand over membership information for the conference's host, the Drake chapter of the National Lawyers Guild.

What is this, the red scare all over again?


ON EDIT: There will be a protest this weekend here in DSM, so any IA DUers let me know if you need details.

[cosmicdot]

1. it is shocking

someone is pushing the envelope ... at least, it appears so

I alluded to this in the Lounge Captioning
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=738270#741276

of course, it's dead serious

[Ficus]

2. welcome to John Ashcroft's Amerikkka

Where we worry about anti-war protesters and don't worry about the real terrorists out there.

on edit: in John Ashcroft's Amerikkka we also need to worry about boobs on statues too, I almost forgot!

[cosmicdot]

3. there should over 100 responses to this thread -- outrage +

[Ficus]

8. and they aren't even using the USAPATRIOT Act

nt

[Dudley_DUright]

4. Daily Kos has more on this story

Two of the four subpoenas were withdrawn. Not sure about the status of the other two. They are clearly starting to back down from this total overreach.

http://www.dailykos.com/section/Law

[Ficus]

6. they are

after there seems to be a public outcry here locally about the situation. I mean, coming down hard on universities and protesters for no reason doesn't sell well here in Iowa.

[Taeger]

9. More Ammunition

This is more ammunition for the general election. The nominee should hammer Bush with this.

John Ashcroft is like J Edgar Hoover resurrected.

[Ficus]

10. except...

John Ashcroft is like J Edgar Hoover resurrected.

But in a scarier crazy christian way

[terryg11]

5. I'm curious if this has happened anywhre else?

I know the article said that this was the first ruling of it's kind in decades but has there been attempts in other areas to obtain info on protestors and to gag those involved only to be turned back by the courts?

THis is an interesting action in DM, wonder where it will go

[Ficus]

7. Vietnam era?

this reminds me of stories I've heard about things that were done to vietnam war protesters...

I wonder where it will go too.

[Ficus]

11. kick

this is important...just kicking before I go home for the day from work...

[tom_paine]

12. Bush Amerika is a cold, dark and ugly place

It hasn;t even begun to complete it's tranformation to Orwellian Empire.

Most of us live in the wretched remnants of the Old American Republic, which does allow us to temporarily continue to live as Free Americans in a Slavish Nation until the time that unchecked Imperial Power is consolidated.

THEN and only THEN will Imperial Tyranny finally "trickle down" on us.

[allalone]

13. Iowa outrage

this is the most shocking development yet. I am truly frightened for America, or what we all thought was America. Did they pick Iowa to start this because they think Iowans are hicks or uninvolved? Boy are they wrong. I wish I still lived there so I could go to the protest.

[Ficus]

14. victory...

"Federal authorities retreated Tuesday in their investigation of an Iowa anti-war demonstration, withdrawing grand jury subpoenas delivered last week to four peace activists and Drake University.

The shift came as the investigation drew nationwide condemnation from civil liberties advocates, politicians and peace activists."