FBI GETS BROADER POWERS

NEW YORK TIMES August 21, 2008 New Guidelines Would Give F.B.I. Broader Powers By ERIC LICHTBLAU WASHINGTON — A Justice Department plan would loosen restrictions on the Federal Bureau of Investigation to allow agents to open a national security or criminal investigation against someone without any clear basis for suspicion, Democratic lawmakers briefed on the details said Wednesday. The plan, which could be made public next month, has already generated intense interest and speculation. Little is known about its precise language, but civil liberties advocates say they fear it could give the government even broader license to open terrorism investigations. FOR ENTIRE ARTICLE: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/21/washington/21fbi.html?_r=2&ref=us&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin&oref=slogin