FBI puts tracking device on car...

Yeah, I saw the original post on reddit, and was happy to see some follow up today. Crazy stuff

If he only had bought a GM, they wouldn't have needed to plant a device on it. 

ParielIsBack wrote: Frankly, I don't think it's either evil on the FBI's part or indicative of any wrong-doing on the kid's part. The reality is that there are a lot of relatively extreme Muslim elements in Egyptian society, with connections to the greater web of Islamic terrorism, and without knowing if the student actually had social relations with people in those circles, I can see it happening relatively easily. My mother works for a non-profit which works in Egypt, and I guarantee that any of you who have not been to a Muslim country would be amazed by the way the country runs.  Islamic law is no way to live, in my opinion. I think to some extent the idea that the FBI is tracking him could be scary, but frankly there are a lot of other "Big Brother" things I'm far more worried about.

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety"

carl_the_sniper wrote: __sneaky__ wrote: ParielIsBack wrote: Frankly, I don't think it's either evil on the FBI's part or indicative of any wrong-doing on the kid's part. The reality is that there are a lot of relatively extreme Muslim elements in Egyptian society, with connections to the greater web of Islamic terrorism, and without knowing if the student actually had social relations with people in those circles, I can see it happening relatively easily. My mother works for a non-profit which works in Egypt, and I guarantee that any of you who have not been to a Muslim country would be amazed by the way the country runs.  Islamic law is no way to live, in my opinion. I think to some extent the idea that the FBI is tracking him could be scary, but frankly there are a lot of other "Big Brother" things I'm far more worried about. "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" Assuming this is essential liberty...

Being tracked by the FBI because you are related to an activist who lived in Egypt should be legal? Granted I realize we're not exactly talking about imprisoning anyone with connections to the mid east here, but still. Slippery slopes are slippery, in my humble opinion.

If I proper warrant was indeed had for this type of thing, I've not no problem with it. If a warrant wasn't gotten, then that's no good.

agentwhale007 wrote: If I proper warrant was indeed had for this type of thing, I've not no problem with it. If a warrant wasn't gotten, then that's no good. However, I can honestly say I had no idea that GPS tracking things were that big. That doesn't seem right. Life should be like movies. They should be the size of a dime.

Well you gotta remember they can't exactly recharge the battery.

I guess given the right amount of time, you could just attach it to the wiring harness of the car, I just don't know how convenient that would actually be.

__sneaky__ wrote: I realize it is legal, that doesn't mean it should be. I'm with whale on this one, if they had a warrant to track this guy/place him under surveillance, then go right ahead. No warrant? Then it shouldn't be happening.

Warrants are good things.  I'm all for 'em.  I don't think it would be unfair to require a warrant in this case.  At the same time, I don't think it's an issue that they didn't if it's legal.  If they were, say, tracking his cell phone, that would be a much bigger deal in my book.

From what little reading I have done so far, it appears that this can only occur in states covered by the 9th District courts.  Apparently their ruling is the one that says you can be tracked without a warrant.  So, I both remembered the article incorrectly after a couple days, and the issue hasn't been settled. Interesting.


Edited by ParielIsBack - 09 October 2010 at 4:27pm

Must be super old. I mean think about how small cell phone gps systems are... on cell phones which can be bought for under $200.

stratoaxe wrote: it's a slope to every evil government movie I've ever seen.

I think there is something to be said for private property.  This is the only example I can think of off hand that doesn't require probable cause to invade said private property.  That, I think, is very worrying.  Checks and balances exist with good reason.

I guess part of the reason I am comfortable with this is because the FBI isn't just dropping them willy nilly, or putting them on political dissidents, or anything like that.  To some extent they use their tools wisely, which is what the judge ensures when issuing a warrant.

As I said, I don't think it would be unreasonable to require a warrant for this.  I just don't feel too worried (at least at the moment) that they don't.  If the FBI were still run by Hoover, well, I might be against this entirely.

Meh.

If they wanted to use the man power they could have just followed the man around. Would you people still be complaining then? They wouldn't be invading any private property.