Roon wrote:bstrawse wrote:[quote="Roon"Is that a serious question?
A governmental body with no oversight collecting data and creating files on Americans based on who knows what? You don't see a problem with that?
I don't see the issues that you are talking about. No oversight? They have oversight at both a state and federal level. What are you talking about?
b
They do? Thats news to me. Or perhaps you are referring to the "Oversight board" which is nothing more than people from the groups participating in the Fusion Center. I am talking about independent or Congressional oversight of some kind. Of this kind of oversight they have none.[/quote]
No, I'm talking about Congressional and State oversight. I'm wondering why you think they don't have any.
The DHS sanctioned fusion centers (like MNJAC here in Minnesota) have to follow DHS policies - which have Congressional oversight through various Congressional Committees. They're also subject to the federal FOIA law. There are also DHS personnel assigned to many fusion centers, such as the one here in Minnesota.
Here in Minnesota, they are also subject to state oversight (they are part of the MN Department of Public Safety) and thus subject to legislative oversight - and they're also subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
I think you're operating from the assumption that they are just out there creating secret files in an unaccountable manner - and while I think there are opportunities in how fusion centers are structured and operated - I don't think they have the opportunities that you're outlining.
B