FBI Priorities: 1) Sneakiness 2) Justice

Permit me a brief posting this evening concerning the popular topic of the Big Brotherly love the U.S. government is showing it's citizens via the Terrorist Database.

For some reason the Washington Post piece to which I will be referring is requiring a login now, or else I would link to it.  Suffice to say, it's infuriating: the list has generated a very small percentage of arrests compared to "hits" on the database of suspected terrorists.  Something like 500 arrests for 22,000. 

Here is the FBI's explanation:

"A lot of times it's not to our advantage to make an arrest," FBI spokesman Paul Bresson said. "We don't want the subject to know what we know. It doesn't mean we're not paying attention. On the contrary, it shows that we're being very proactive in trying to identify threats."

Yes, when you do come across a potential terrorist that you could arrest, don't.  Because then you would be showing your hand, right?  Just wait for him/ or her to strap a bomb to their chest and stand in Times Square, and then point your finger at them vigorously, thereby "identifying" the threat.  Then go back to hassling the poor guy who happens to be named Mohammed and has to travel once a month for business.