Researched by Kerry Headley and Jenny Gibson
Growing indications suggest that far-reaching and illegal surveillance was conducted inside the US by the National Security Agency under President Bush, including the alleged use of a top-secret database system known as “Main Core.” Dating back to the 1980s, the database reportedly collects and stores – without warrants or court orders – the names and detailed data of Americans considered a potential “threat to national security.” One knowledgeable source claims that 8 million Americans are now listed in Main Core as potential suspects. In any one of many vaguely defined events of a national emergency, these people could be subject to heightened surveillance, direct questioning, and indefinite detention.
“Exposing Bush’s Historic Abuse of Power” Tim Schorrock, Salon.com, 7/23/2008 http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/07/23/new_churchcomm/