NCJ Number
12400
Date Published
1974
Length
344 pages
Annotation
COLLECTION OF ARTICLES AND MATERIALS, INCLUDING STOLEN FBI SURVEILLANCE REPORTS, WHICH SUGGEST THE DEGREE OF GOVERNMENT INTRUSION INTO THE PRIVATE LIVES OF CITIZENS.
Abstract
IN THE FIRST ARTICLE, 'THE MACHINERY OF FEAR', THE AUTHOR ATTEMPTS TO ASCERTAIN THE ACTUAL STRENGTH OF DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE-GATHERING ORGANIZATIONS. HE SEEKS TO ESTIMATE THE EXTENT TO WHICH ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE USED. IN 'INQUISITION IN THE COURTROOM,' A SECOND AUTHOR SHOWS HOW THE GRAND JURY, ONCE A SHIELD FOR POTENTIAL DEFENDANTS, HAS BECOME AN INSTRUMENT OF PROSECUTORS. THE VOLUME OFFERS SELECTIONS FROM DOCUMENTS STOLEN FROM THE MEDIA, PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE OF THE FBI, WITH COMMENTARY ON THEIR COLLECTION AND COLLECTORS. IN THE BOOK'S CONCLUDING ESSAY, 'TWELVE ANGUISHED JURORS, EXTRAPOLATIONS FROM INTERVIEWS WITH JURORS IN THE HARRISBURG EIGHT CASE SUGGEST THAT THE LARGE CLASS OF 'MIDDLE AMERICA'IS NOT A READY CONSTITUENCY FOR POLITICAL OPPRESSION. THE AUTHORS OF THE VOLUME ATTEMPT TO SHOW THAT CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGERS TO AMERICA'S FREEDOM DO EXIST, BUT THAT THEY CAN BE DEALT WITH RATIONALLY BY UNDERSTANDING THE DIMENSIONS OF THESE THREATS, DEVELOPING TOOLS WITH WHICH TO DEAL WITH THEM, AND PREVENTING THEM FROM OVERWHELMING US IN THE FUTURE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)