Noah Shachtman
Security

Pentagon Bigwig: Axe Evil Database

After years of tracking church groups and anti-war protesters, the Pentagon may finally shut down TALON, its far-flung database of "suspicious incidents." James Clapper, U.S. undersecretary of defense for intelligence, said in an April 18 memo, obtained by Reuters, that the program should end — in part because of how it has been portrayed in […]

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After years of tracking church groups and anti-war protesters, the Pentagon may finally shut down TALON, its far-flung database of "suspicious incidents."
James Clapper, U.S. undersecretary of defense for intelligence, said in an April 18 memo, obtained by Reuters, that the program should end -- in part because of how it has been portrayed in the press.

  • "I have assessed results of the TALON program during the last year and I do not believe they merit continuing the program as currently constituted particularly in light of its image in the Congress and the media," Clapper said in a memo to
    [Defense Secretary Robert] Gates.

Considering TALON got that "image" by labeling a "church service for peace" as "potential terrorist activity," and "US group[s] exercising constitutional rights" as "suspicious," I'd say the reputation was well-deserved. Score one for the press.