By By Stephanie Dearing Sep 21, 2010 in Politics Monitoring potential terrorist threats went too far in Pennsylvania this past year, as intelligence documents released by Governor Rendell demonstrate. Rendell authorized the release of the bulletins after he became aware of the nature of the reports. Rendell said "This is ludicrous. And I apologize to any of the groups who had this information disseminated about their activities. They have the right to protest." The Washington Examiner went on to say "... Rendell said he was "deeply embarrassed," and said the fact that the state was paying for such rudimentary information was "stunning."" The state had given the Rendell has repeatedly said Pennsylvania's Homeland Security Director, James Powers would not be fired over the fiasco. The reports provided by the Israel-American non-profit ITRR aroused suspicion for the Homeland Security Office in July this year. Some reports listed planned Quaker protests as potential terrorism threats, along with a gay and lesbian celebration and a movie protesting drilling for gas in the Marcellus shale. One bulletin, said the The Inquirer said the bulletins went to "police, public officials, and commercial interests" three times a week, but most of the bulletins consisted of information that was easily obtained from conducting internet searches. The bulletins can be accessed through the The organization announced it had filed a "right to know request" in a "The Pennsylvania surveillance program was based on the un-American notion that dissent equals danger. This is an egregious abuse of governmental power and a full, independent investigation needs to be launched to determine who was spied on, what other investigations of these groups were undertaken, and who outside of law enforcement was given the intelligence bulletins." The "We provide information on potential issues that may require enhanced security responses in the protection of clients' obligations to public safety and protection of their assets. ... The indications that the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response tracked gay groups is inaccurate and offensive." Perelman issued a "The mission of the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response is to identify and analyze information that can be leveraged to prevent injury, loss of life and destruction of property. At times, that means providing guidance on the potential for deadly actions. At other times, it means providing security personnel guidance regarding staff requirements for crowd control. For example, in May 2010 ITRR's Targeted Actionable Monitoring Center (TAM-C) informed clients of "focused anti-gay chatter among White supremacists and extremist militia supporters." We noted that "Gay pride" events recently served as trigger events for such radicals, such as in Belarus and Slovakia. Thus, the ITRR briefing concluded, "based on general analysis and international case study debriefing, TAM-C analysts recommend a somewhat heightened situational awareness at all such pride events." ACLU Pennsylvania said one anti-gas drilling opponent was emailed a copy of a bulletin by James Powers, believing the woman to be pro-drilling. In the email, Powers said "We want to continue providing this support to the Marcellus Shale Formation natural gas stakeholders while not feeding those groups fomenting dissent against those same companies." Walczak said "It's disturbing that the Office of Homeland Security is s run by a man who apparently believes that people in this country need a permit to publicly criticize the government or industry and who feels it is more important to protect industry than the constitutional right to free speech." ACLU Pennsylvania is encouraging other organizations identified in the ITRR bulletins to file right to know requests with the state. The The Patriot News went on to state "... He said that information on anti-drilling activists had only recently been included in the “intelligence bulletins” distributed by his office subsequent to a string a “five to 10” incidents of vandalism against Marcellus Shale sites. Both statements are contradicted by the evidence. The Office of Homeland Security posted copies of all the intelligence bulletins on its website Friday after multiple requests from media and lawmakers to make them public. The only way Powers could not have known the contractor was tracking groups is if he had never read the reports." Since 9/11, the federal government of the United States has required that all states monitor terrorism threats in an effort to prevent further deaths and catastrophes. The Washington Examiner reported Governor Rendell apologized publicly last Tuesday, ashamed, he said, about intelligence bulletins prepared for the Pennsylvania Homeland Security Director by a hired company. Those bulletins identified a variety of people as potential terror threats to the state.Rendell saidThe Washington Examiner went on to sayThe state had given the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response (ITRR) a one-year contract last October, and in return the ITRR provided the state with intelligence bulletins. Rendell said that due to the nature of the information provided by ITRR, the the contract will not be renewed after it concludes next month.Rendell has repeatedly said Pennsylvania's Homeland Security Director, James Powers would not be fired over the fiasco.The reports provided by the Israel-American non-profit ITRR aroused suspicion for the Homeland Security Office in July this year.Some reports listed planned Quaker protests as potential terrorism threats, along with a gay and lesbian celebration and a movie protesting drilling for gas in the Marcellus shale. One bulletin, said the Philadelphia Inquirer , warned that a daytime Halloween protest by eco-activists might get rowdy.The Inquirer said the bulletins went to "police, public officials, and commercial interests" three times a week, but most of the bulletins consisted of information that was easily obtained from conducting internet searches. The bulletins can be accessed through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency , but the American Civil Rights Union Pennsylvania is demanding more.The organization announced it had filed a "right to know request" in a press release issued Monday. Legal Director for ACLU Pennsylvania, Witold Walczak saidThe Pittsburgh-Tribune Review said ITRR co-director Michael Perelman rebutted Governor Rendell, saying Rendell was "regrettably misinformed." Perleman added,Perelman issued a press release on September 15, "in response to recent developments." While not mentioning the Pennsylvania intelligence bulletins, Perelman used the press release to explain some of the issues raised by Governor Rendell. Perelman wrote in part:ACLU Pennsylvania said one anti-gas drilling opponent was emailed a copy of a bulletin by James Powers, believing the woman to be pro-drilling. In the email, Powers saidWalczak saidACLU Pennsylvania is encouraging other organizations identified in the ITRR bulletins to file right to know requests with the state.The Post-Gazette said Powers was responsible for awarding the contract to ITRR. Facing increased public scrutiny for his role in the fiasco after the Patriot News reported "... James Powers told The Patriot-News last week that he didn’t know if the private contractor hired to provide intelligence was tracking groups of activists," Powers is ducking the press.The Patriot News went on to stateSince 9/11, the federal government of the United States has required that all states monitor terrorism threats in an effort to prevent further deaths and catastrophes. More about Pennsylvania intelligence bulletins, Spying, Homeland Security, Activist organizations, Anti-terrorism pennsylvania intelli... spying homeland security activist organizatio... anti-terrorism war terror governor rendell