So what exactly is a "Fusion Center" ..are they all over or just here?

[rainbow4321]

And why is it issuing bulletins to personnel "local, state, and homeland security activities" like this:

•Middle Eastern Terrorist groups and their supporting organizations have been successful in gaining support for Islamic goals in the United States and providing an environment for terrorist organizations to flourish. A number of organizations in the U.S. have been lobbying Islamic-based issues for many years. These lobbying efforts have turned public and political support towards radical goals such as Shariah law and support of terrorist military action against Western nations. Add to this the Hezbollah training of Mexican Drug Cartel members on bomb making techniques; the threats to Texas are significant.

http://www.baumbach.org/b2evolution/blogs/index.php/2009/04/08/what_s_wrong_with_the_north_texas_fusion


http://www.baumbach.org/fusion/PAB_19Feb09.doc


The North Central Texas Fusion System is the regional project for multi-jurisdictional, multi-disciplinary all-hazards prevention, early warning, mitigation, coordinated response and recovery in support of improved public support and continuity of economy and government. For more information, go to http://www.fusionsystem.us.

Fusion System Disclaimer
The North Central Texas Fusion System Prevention Awareness Bulletin is a noncommercial publication intended to educate and inform personnel engaged in local, state and federal homeland security activities. Further reproduction or redistribution is subject to original copyright restrictions. The North Central Texas Fusion System provides no warranty of ownership of the copyright, or accuracy with respect to the original source material

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ACLU responds:

"Last month a Texas fusion center supported by DHS released an intelligence bulletin that described a purported conspiracy between Muslim civil rights organizations, lobbying groups, the anti-war movement, a former U.S. Congresswoman, the U.S. Treasury Department and hip hop bands to spread Sharia law in the U.S.30 The bulletin, which reportedly is sent to over 100 different agencies, would be laughable except that it comes with the imprimatur of a federally backed intelligence operation, and it directs law enforcement officers to monitor the activities of these groups in their areas. The ACLU has long warned that these state, local and regional intelligence fusion centers lacked proper oversight and accountability and we hope the discovery of this shockingly inappropriate report leads to much needed examination and reform."

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BTW, the "bulletin" was written by Rep Sam Johnson's son, Dr. Bob Johnson. Unfortunately, MY rep. This North Central Texas Fusion System is in his district/my county. Found the info while looking thru my county's Dem blog site.

[The Straight Story]

1. More info here from a post of mine, a list of them all

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5309520

And here is a list of their locations


http://www.dhs.gov/xinfoshare/programs/gc_1156877184684.shtm

[rainbow4321]

2. Thanks...wish they would not let repukes write the memos that get given out

or their relatives, in the case of Johnson. Ya think they could get someone a little/a lot more neutral before setting off the alarm bells with law enforcement agencies. Geez.

From the blogger's entry in my OP:

Local fusion centers, such as the NCTFS operate with very little professional oversight. The NCTFS is primarily responsible to the County Commissioners Court, and I don't believe the commissioners are qualified nor inclined to adequately supervise a police and intelligence operation. To prevent excess zeal and to insure that effective policies are enforced, direct supervision of the local fusion centers by the Texas DPS or US DHS would seem to be only prudent.

As the issuance of the February PAB loudly demonstrated, the NCTFS is in need of oversight and training. Relying on a two person, out-of-state, politically connected contractor and a political commissioners court is a recipe for disaster
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Great..ours is overseen by our repuke red county commissioner court.

[The Straight Story]

3. I researched them in depth

Here are a few more items:
* Testimony on Future of Fusion Centers: Potential Promise and Dangers
* Secretary Addresses National Fusion Center Conference

from the fusion web site
http://www.dhs.gov/xinfoshare/programs/gc_1156877184684.shtm

[rainbow4321]

4. Gee what a surprise...Sam Johnson's son and daughter in law run our's

How convenient that he got a contract to run one in his father's district. And they don't even live here...or in the state.

From the blog:

Another concern is with the management of the NCTFS. Until last week, the NCTFS directed technical questions to the primary architect and technical person at the fusion center. That person is Dr. Bob Johnson, who lives not in Texas, but in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The manager of the center was listed as Anita Miller. Ms. Miller is the wife of Dr. Johnson. Together, Miller and Johnson are ADB, a two person company that has been paid over one million dollars to build and operate the NCTFS.

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Thanks for the links!

[The Straight Story]

5. No problem, and thanks for keeping this issue alive

These centers will be something to keep an eye on.

[madrchsod]

6. washington times and bruce fein....instant no creditability

[The Straight Story]

7. So you are saying they don't exist?

:)