FBI Watch List and Informants

Theophilus 2013-2014

Innocent Until Proven Guilty does not apply to natn sect like in courtspg. 1
Publicizing the FBI Watch list would hinder CT efforts.pg. 1
Watch List placement is complex.pg. 2
There are newer procedures that are working effectivelypg. 2
Informationalpg. 3
FBI INFORMANTS.pg. 4

Innocent Until Proven Guilty does not apply to natn

sect like in courts
Using the Innocent until proven guilty theorem does not apply to national security
the way it applies to a courtroom
FBI watchlist database: To catch the devil, you have to go to hell by Arlene Storm,
computerworld.com. October 2011
In regard to people getting their names off the list, former Homeland Security assistant
secretary Stewart Baker said, the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard is different from
the courtroom. Being held up for extra questioning and missing a flight is not the same as
going to prison. According to the FBI memos, a person cannot be watchlisted based on a
"hunch" of being a national security threat. There must be at least "one source of
corroboration" and particularly "derogatory information" connecting that person to
terrorist activities.
http://blogs.computerworld.com/19055/fbi_watchlist_database_to_catch_the_devil_you_
have_to_go_to_hell
Darlene Storm- is a freelance writer with a background in information technology and
information security.
Computerworld- For more than 40 years, Computerworld has been the leading source of
technology news and information for IT influencers worldwide. Computerworld's awardwinning Web site, twice-monthly publication, focused conference series and custom
research form the hub of the world's largest global IT media network.
Argument: Though it might seem like a slippery slope, the fact is that it is not restricted
to stop someone from their flights for questioning or inconveniencing them in some way.
However, the only way the U.S. government would be doing this in the first place is only
if this individual had a direct connection to a known terrorist.

Publicizing the FBI Watch list would hinder CT efforts

Publicizing the FBI watch list would help terrorists more than hinder them
How to Land on the Government Watch List by Cristen Conger, April 2008
While the government makes no secret of the list's existence, its official contents are offlimits to the public. That's because the federal government believes if terrorists are aware
of being on a watch list, they will become more vigilant and tricky in committing heinous
crimes.

FBI Watch List and Informants

Theophilus 2013-2014

http://people.howstuffworks.com/government-watch-list.htm
Cristen Conger- As a writer and blogger for HowStuffWorks and a contributing writer
for Discovery News, Cristen specializes in technology and the science of everyday living.
Her articles have featured on Huffington Post, ABC Science and MSNBC.com She holds
a degree in Journalism from the University of Georgia.
Argument: If anyone decided to publicize the FBI watch list, the suspects in question
would in turn be able to avoid surveillance better.

Watch List Placement is Complex

Nomination and placement onto the FBI Terrorist Watch List is not arbitrary- it is
very rigorous and complex
How to Land on the Government Watch List by Cristen Conger, from
howstuffworks.com. April 2008
Getting put on the watch list isn't exactly like making prom queen, but it does require a
nomination. An agent from the FBI, NSA or other federal agency nominates you. Then,
that nomination moves on to the FBI's Terrorist Review and Examination Unit. If you
check out as a known or potential terrorist, it's on to the Terrorist Screening Center and
the watch list.
http://people.howstuffworks.com/government-watch-list.htm
Cristen Conger- As a writer and blogger for HowStuffWorks and a contributing writer
for Discovery News, Cristen specializes in technology and the science of everyday living.
Her articles have featured on Huffington Post, ABC Science and MSNBC.com She holds
a degree in Journalism from the University of Georgia.
Argument: The Government is already monitoring terrorists efficiently while still
preserving the Constitution for citizens privacy.

There are newer procedures that are working effectively

The FBI and the IG are already implementing newer and better procedures
From The FBI Has Built a Better Terrorist Watchlist Written by Charles S. Clark,
Government Executive, published by The Nuclear Threat Initiative, March 25th, 2014
But recent reviews have shown that new "policies and procedures should help to ensure
that future threat-based watchlist modifications are handled more effectively and
efficiently," the IG concluded.
http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/fbi-has-built-better-terrorist-watchlist/
Charlie Clark joined Government Executive in the fall of 2009. He has been on staff at
The Washington Post, Congressional Quarterly, National Journal, Time-Life Books, Tax
Analysts, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, and the
National Center on Education and the Economy.
The Nuclear Threat Initiative works to strengthen global security by reducing global
threats from nuclear, biological and chemical weapons

FBI Watch List and Informants

Theophilus 2013-2014

The FBI has already made significant improvements when it comes to the watch list
From The FBI Has Built a Better Terrorist Watchlist Written by Charles S. Clark,
Government Executive, published by The Nuclear Threat Initiative, March 25th, 2014
In response to our reports, the FBI revised its watchlist policy, reorganized the
operational unit responsible for processing watchlist nominations, implemented new
automated processes and timeliness standards for the submission and processing of
watchlist actions, and established a team to assess the FBIs performance against the new
criteria." the document reads. "Generally, we found that these improvements have helped
to ensure that the watchlist is more complete, accurate and current."
http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/fbi-has-built-better-terrorist-watchlist/
The FBI has already made plans to be clearer in their documentation
From The FBI Has Built a Better Terrorist Watchlist Written by Charles S. Clark,
Government Executive, published by The Nuclear Threat Initiative, March 25th, 2014
The IG made a dozen recommendations, including requiring the screening center to
"better document its actions during national security events, clarifying FBI information
sharing policies to ensure they are consistent with those of the watchlist community, and
improving the efficiency of the FBIs watchlist nomination process for investigative and
non-investigative subjects." The FBI agreed with all the recommendations and reported
that corrective action has begun.
http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/fbi-has-built-better-terrorist-watchlist/

Informational
The agencies that contribute to the terrorist watch list are as follows:
From The FBI Has Built a Better Terrorist Watchlist Written by Charles S. Clark,
Government Executive, published by The Nuclear Threat Initiative, March 25th, 2014
The agencies contributing to the terrorist watchlist include the Office of the Director of
National Intelligence, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the CIA, the National
Security Agency, the National Reconnaissance Office and the departments of Justice,
Defense, State, Treasury, Homeland Security and Energy.
Charlie Clark joined Government Executive in the fall of 2009. He has been on staff at
The Washington Post, Congressional Quarterly, National Journal, Time-Life Books, Tax
Analysts, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, and the
National Center on Education and the Economy.
The Nuclear Threat Initiative works to strengthen global security by reducing global
threats from nuclear, biological and chemical weapons

FBI Watch List and Informants

Theophilus 2013-2014

FBI INFORMANTS
Main argument: Informants are not hired by the FBI. They give information to the
FBI, and are sometimes compensated for that information (for example, if you give
info to the FBI regarding a terrorist, you would be compensated 1 million.)
Informant could be later contacted by the FBI for more info.
Every example brought up by the affirmative team about the FBI manipulating
informants was regarding a foreigner/foreign surveillance - not U.S.
citizens/domestic surveillance - so these examples should not influence the judges
decision
Informants are not hired by the FBI
Frequently Asked Questions, Published by the FBI, Copyright 2014
Informants are individuals who supply information to the FBI on a confidential basis.
They are not hired or trained employees of the FBI, although they may receive
compensation in some instances for their information and expenses.
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/faqs
The FBI does not manipulate informants.
Better this world, Published by PBS, September 6, 2011
Discussing the role of informants on its website, the FBI writes, "use of informants to
assist in the investigation of criminal activity may involve an element of deception,
intrusion into the privacy of individuals or cooperation with persons whose reliability and
motivation may be open to question. . . . [S]pecial care is taken to carefully evaluate and
closely supervise their use so the rights of individuals under investigation are not
infringed."
Main Argument: Without FBI Informants, we would be unable to predict terrorist
attacks
as quickly.
D1: Removing informants would increase the amount of terrorist attacks in the U.S.
Use of informants is lawful and essential
Frequently Asked Questions, Published by the FBI, Copyright 2014
The courts have recognized that the governments use of informants is lawful and often
essential to the effectiveness of properly authorized law enforcement investigations.
However, use of informants to assist in the investigation of criminal activity may involve
an element of deception, intrusion into the privacy of individuals, or cooperation with
persons whose reliability and motivation may be open to question. Although it is legally
permissible for the FBI to use informants in its investigations, special care is taken to
carefully evaluate and closely supervise their use so the rights of individuals under
investigation are not infringed. The FBI can only use informants consistent with specific
guidelines issued by the attorney general that control the use of informants.
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/faqs