An historical point, if you may.
I was listening to the radio coming home, listening to the chief prosecutor against the "blind sheik" whose crimes against America are long and distinguished. The host wanted to know if the FBI had a plan, an intelligence gathering system in the mosques of America.
The author, a certain Andrew McCarthy, said not really, that intelligence gathering for the sake of having intelligence as opposed to gathering facts for a criminal case, was not the FBI's cup of tea. (My words, not his.)
Which brings me to the question. If domestic intelligence gathering by the federal government is illegal, intelligence gathering for the sake of gathering intelligence, not necessarily targeting specific individuals in a sense of criminal investigation, is it illegal for a private business to do so, contracted by the federal government?
Because if it is, the Pinkertons were illegal as hell.
I personally do not believe that it is illegal for intel to be gathered. (I.E. someone on a 21st century Pinkerton payroll joins a mosque and delivers reports on what is discussed there.) With certain government nods, the signal gathering (i.e. cell phone listening, internet monitoring) aspect of the operation could also "legally" be handled by this 21st century Pinkerton.
Is it legal?
If so, do you think it's necessary?
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