[Mpls] FBI jurisdiction

[Michael Atherton]

Ed Felien wrote:

> David Brauer raises an interesting point about the 
> appropriateness of the FBI intervening in this case.  
> The FBI assumes a mandate because the City of
> Minneapolis is using Federal funds somewhere in its budget.  
> This narrow justification strains credibility, and it was 
> the basis of Basim Sabri's appeal that went all the way to 
> the U. S. Supreme Court.  Unfortunately, the activist and 
> interventionist Supreme Court overruled the Appeals Court
> verdict and granted the FBI power to intervene everywhere 
> Federal dollars are spent.

I say bring it on!  There ain't nobody else gonna
do it.  I think that the morality and political ethics of 
this town stinks.  Even with all of it's abuses, the FBI
is a self-correcting organization because of the integrity
of the people who are attracted to it (and they'll never
be able to screen this out). I can't think of any
instance where the FBI has completely fabricated a case
against anyone. Although I can think of several where
entrapment was used and evidence was withheld. Not to 
mention, other instances overzealous enforcement.  The 
check on overzealous enforcement is the courts.  Is there 
anyone here who is claiming that Mr. Zimmerman would not get
a fair trail in Minneapolis?

Corruption is an self-perpetuating evil that is very difficult 
to root out.  It almost always requires an outside organization 
to address it.  Some of you may never have lived in other regions 
or countries where corruption is endemic, but it eventually 
limits all types of personal freedom and expression.  Corruption
is antithetical to a democratic society.  And besides, there
are so many legal ways to milk the system here, that you would 
have to be fool to do it illegally (or think your cause 
particularly worthy).

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park