COINTELPRO - Counter Intelligence Program
COINTELPRO is a shortened word of Counter Intelligence Progaram which is targeted to suppress and investigate the dissidents and their organizations. The FBI invented the techniques and the COINTELPRO operations were formally done during 1956 to 1971s. Later, their covert operations were discovered by the civilians and the Church committee was held for the investigation of the government organization like FBI as well as the CIA.
According to the definition of Wikipedia, COINTELPRO has four major tactics. First, they work on infiltration of the targeted group or around the targeted individual. Second, they operate psychological warfare from the surroundings. They send false messages about the targeted group or the targeted individual. They often give manipulation on the people around the group or the target. Third, exercise of law system to keep the targeted group looks suspicious and claims them criminals. Fourth, they exercise their extralegal force and involve in violence. They work on search without warrant and other crimes.
I do not know how a targeted individual is chosen. But isn't above tactics similar to what the targeted individual experience in his daily life? Their main target supposed to be dissidents and politically radical people dangerous for the nation's well being. However, these informants are fed by their informations. So, more they are vicious about their jobs, they should do their best to claim anything suspicious about the target. Because they are the ones claiming what is legal and illegal in the society, they can stay above the law as they are part of the law system.
COINTELPRO is used by the FBI and the police force. the FBI teaches techniques to the local police around the world. Therefore, it is easy to imagine that if COINTELPRO techniques are used by the gang stalkers and gang stalkers have world-level network, we should know that it is natural to see some police and other public officers in their gang stalking activities.
Because of the terrorist alert on the Western world, the police informants must be very active trying to claim anything suspicious for their careers' sake. Moreover, police often rewards tips from the community members for small awards. This is a legalized manipulation technique used for innocent person to be a suspicious individual in the community.
After Mr. Church could not win the second election, politicians knew what will be deadly for their careers. COINTELPRO is used for anything threaten to the government and its agencies. The investigation on its own operations should be viewed as a threat for the nation since the program is created to protect the national security and keep stability of the nation.
Work Cited:
Wikipedia. Definition of COINTELPRO. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COINTELPRO> Last accessed January 10th 2008.