Domestic Policy

FBI Searches Public Locales For Radiation Needed For Dirty Bombs

December 24, 2005 ⋅  E-Mail Article ⋅  Print Article ⋅ Post a comment

Some people are very infuriated to find out that the government has been driving around measuring mosques for radiation; other individuals say they feel safer with this measure. Is there a happy medium in this discussion?

The Times has reported the revelation that the administration has authorized the FBI to covertly monitor mosques and Muslim homes and businesses in U.S. cities for abnormal radiation levels; the program was to have reportedly started in 2002.

The government has conceded that the searches go on but that warrants are not required because most of the testing is not invasive, it can be conducted from outside buildings and homes, the government considers this a legal search on public property. Many legal experts agree that the concealed program is legal because the authorities conduct the tests in areas like parking lots and public sidewalks.

The FBI has advised that the program was not established as a way to target Muslim Americans, anti-government groups, or unique racist groups. Muslim groups take exception to the revelation but FBI officials have advised that numerous non-Muslim sites were also monitored for radiation.

The program was designated as a way to locate any radioactive material that could be used to make a dirty bomb. Radioactive material is a key ingredient to the threat of a dirty bomb, which combines radioactive material with conventional explosives in an attempt to spread radiation over a large area. National Security experts consider the dirty bomb as one of the greatest threats facing U.S. counterterrorism efforts.

Does this program provide you with a stronger sense of security or do you feel the government is becoming more and more of a ‘Big Brother’ figure?

Officials: Muslim sites subject to secret monitoring for radiation

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