The FBI and the DOJ want you to report suspicious people and monitor social networks. Goodbye liberty

"Terrorism has replaced Communism as the rationale for the militarization of [America], for military adventures abroad, and for the suppression of civil liberties at home. It serves the same purpose, serving to create hysteria." -- Howard Zinn, "Terrorism and War"

Some of the worst consequences of terrorism come not from the real dangers that terrorism poses but in our efforts to defend ourselves from something that is incredibly hard to define and predict.

Terrorism is not like dealing with an invading army or an attack by aircraft or missiles; it is a diffuse, random assault that can, theoretically, happen anywhere. The next person to get blown up could be some state official or it could be you, which is how terrorism works; the fear it generates is more powerful and culture-changing than the actual attacks themselves.

25 More Ridiculous FBI Lists: You Might Be A Terrorist If ...

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"Terrorism has replaced Communism as the rationale for the militarization of [America], for military adventures abroad, and for the suppression of civil liberties at home. It serves the same purpose, serving to create hysteria." -- Howard Zinn, "Terrorism and War"

Some of the worst consequences of terrorism come not from the real dangers that terrorism poses but in our efforts to defend ourselves from something that is incredibly hard to define and predict.

Terrorism is not like dealing with an invading army or an attack by aircraft or missiles; it is a diffuse, random assault that can, theoretically, happen anywhere. The next person to get blown up could be some state official or it could be you, which is how terrorism works; the fear it generates is more powerful and culture-changing than the actual attacks themselves.

25 More Ridiculous FBI Lists: You Might Be A Terrorist If ...

While our government quite rightly sees one of its may tasks as protecting us from such threats, the reality of efforts to do so is that we wind up ignoring pragmatic issues such as the cost and effectiveness of counter-terrorism measures, as well as the dangers of overreach that accompany those efforts.

As an example of overreach I offer you the latest in governmental insanity: The FBI and the Department of Justice produced a series of 25 fliers to encourage -- and I am not kidding -- the reporting of suspicious activities by local businesses in a variety of industries.

Under the rubric of "Communities Against Terrorism," one of the fliers, titled "Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Internet Café," suggests that the following behaviors should be considered "suspicious" where coffee and the Internet meet: "People who: Are overly concerned about privacy, attempts to shield the screen from view of others. Always pay cash or use credit card(s) in different name(s). Apparently use tradecraft: lookout, blocker or someone to distract employees. Act nervous or suspicious, behavior inconsistent with activities. Are observed switching SIM cards in cell phone or use of multiple cell phones. Travel illogical distance to use Internet Café."

I love the use of the term "tradecraft." How many people in the general public know what that means?

There's a lot more advice about the suspicious use of computers and an exhortation to "Be part of the solution" by asking Internet Café workers to: "Gather information about individuals without drawing attention to yourself. Identify license plates, vehicle description, names used, languages spoken, ethnicity, etc."

It gets better! The flier advises, "If something seems wrong, notify law enforcement authorities," but adds the rider, "It is important to remember that just because someone's speech, actions, beliefs, appearance, or way of life is different; it does not mean that he or she is suspicious." What does "seems wrong" mean? How on earth is anyone supposed to balance those contradictory directions?

The flier then provides the phone number for something called the Joint Regional Intelligence Center (JRIC) and tells you to mention "Tripwire"! Ye gods! Code Red! Code Red! Someone said "Tripwire"! Frisk him! He might have an EFF or ACLU membership card!