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Firefighters should not be made spies for the government The Libertarian Party believes that firefighters should not be used as domestic spies, and the current Department of Homeland Security training program to do this should be scrapped immediately. The Department of Homeland Security is turning American heroes into government spies The idea that firefighters should be trained to sniff out would-be terrorists is a perverse corruption of one of America's most honored professions. We're taking guys that were the heroes of 9/11, and turning them into domestic spies. The Bush administration should be ashamed at how out of touch they are with the American public in pursuing their so-called 'War on Terror.' Last week, an AP story written by Eileen Sullivan broke the news that the DHS was training firefighters in New York City to look for "signs of planning and support for terrorism," as well as anything "expressing hate or discontent with the United States." The program, if found to be successful, would then be tried in other cities. Items of suspicion are to include "ammunition, firearms or weapons," along with video equipment, night vision goggles, and other Constitutionally protected items. This new program is very similar to a 2002 program instituted by the Bush administration that encouraged workers who regularly access private dwellings, such as letter carriers, to report behavior they thought to be suspicious. Unlike police, firefighters do not have to have warrants to enter private property. We're turning firefighters, who are a symbol of heroism in America, into symbols of an oppressive government. Have we really gone this far?" The Libertarian Party is America's third largest political party, founded in 1971. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party by visiting www.lp.org. The Libertarian Party stands for smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom. They can be reached at 2600 Virginia Ave, N.W. Suite 200, Washington D.C. 20037 The writer is the Libertarian Party Executive Director.
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