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Anti-oilsands activists in the U.S. are getting unexpected visits from the FBI
National Post ^ | February 7, 2015 | Alexander Panetta

Posted on 02/08/2015 7:47:22 AM PST by rickmichaels

WASHINGTON — Unexpected visitors have been dropping in on anti-oil activists in the United States — knocking on doors, calling, texting, contacting family members. The visitors are federal agents.

Opponents of Canadian oil say they’ve been contacted by FBI investigators in several states following their involvement in protests that delayed northbound shipments of equipment to Canada’s oilsands.

A lawyer working with the protesters says he’s personally aware of a dozen people having been contacted in the northwestern U.S. and says the actual number is probably higher.

Larry Hildes says it’s been happening the last few months in Washington State, Oregon and Idaho. He says one person got a visit at work, after having already refused to answer questions.

“They appear to be interested in actions around the tarsands and the Keystone XL pipeline,” Hildes said in an interview.

“It’s always the same line: ‘We’re not doing criminal investigations, you’re not accused of any crime. But we’re trying to learn more about the movement.’”

He’s advised activists not to talk — and they mostly haven’t. That lack of communication has made it a little complicated to figure out what, exactly, the FBI is looking for.

The bureau hasn’t offered too many clues.

One agent left his name, number, and the following message in a voicemail for Helen Yost of the group Wild Idaho Rising Tide: “I work with the FBI. Could you give me a call back — I would appreciate it.”

(Excerpt) Read more at news.nationalpost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Canada; Government
KEYWORDS: canada; dgr; energy; fracking; keystonexl; oil; oilsands; opec
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1 posted on 02/08/2015 7:47:22 AM PST by rickmichaels
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To: rickmichaels

The advice I read is “never talk to the police.” As for statements like ‘We’re not doing criminal investigations, you’re not accused of any crime’, there is no obligation for federal agents to tell the truth, and no sanction if they lie. However, it is a felony if you lie to them. The fact that they say you are not a suspect does not in any way ensure that you are not.


2 posted on 02/08/2015 7:50:28 AM PST by coloradan (The US has become a banana republic, except without the bananas - or the republic.)
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To: rickmichaels
If this is the case, why aren't they interrogating Barack O’Bama?
3 posted on 02/08/2015 7:53:18 AM PST by 2111USMC (Aim Small Miss Small)
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To: rickmichaels
“I work with the FBI. Could you give me a call back — I would appreciate it.”

I'm thinking that maybe this is worse than a phone from the IRS.

4 posted on 02/08/2015 7:53:48 AM PST by Zuben Elgenubi (NOPe to GOPe)
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To: rickmichaels

So now the leftist creeps feel the heat of the very Federal monstrosity they supported? Poetic justice, I say.


5 posted on 02/08/2015 7:54:03 AM PST by nomad
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To: rickmichaels

What is the FBI doing? Recruiting them to join ISIS?


6 posted on 02/08/2015 8:01:05 AM PST by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all -- Texas Eagle)
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To: rickmichaels

“I work with the FBI. Could you give me a call back — I would appreciate it.”

He left out: “I’m from the government and I’m here to help you”.


7 posted on 02/08/2015 8:02:10 AM PST by shove_it (The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen -- Dennis Prager)
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To: rickmichaels

Looks like the FBI is going to have to send in a bunch of undercover agents ... :-) ...


8 posted on 02/08/2015 8:16:32 AM PST by Star Traveler (Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
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To: rickmichaels

Saudi money in play, they are getting funded big time by that bunch... But they constantly whine that the supporters are shilling for big oil,


9 posted on 02/08/2015 8:20:08 AM PST by firedoggy111 (Canada's PM disagrees)
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To: rickmichaels
LOL! The Watermelons voted for this with both hands:

"If you like your Police State, you can keep your Police State..."

10 posted on 02/08/2015 8:23:44 AM PST by kiryandil (making the jests that some FReepers aren't allowed to...)
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To: rickmichaels

The FBI is looking for a few that they can use to blow things up ?


11 posted on 02/08/2015 8:33:21 AM PST by molson209 (Blank)
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To: rickmichaels
What it will say is that it only investigates potential crimes, not political movements.

“The FBI has the authority to conduct an investigation when it has reasonable grounds to believe that an individual has engaged in criminal activity or is planning to do so,” said FBI spokeswoman Ayn Dietrich.

If we are to believe the above two paragraphs, what does this imply?

One possibility is there is evidence that these movements are "engaged in criminal activity" which could be very damaging especially to their most powerful proponent, Barack Hussein Obama. If the evidence should become public he can pressure the FBI to suppress it and say to the press, Congress, and the public, "Hey look, we had the FBI look into it and they found nothing." Smoke and mirrors.

12 posted on 02/08/2015 8:42:45 AM PST by immadashell (The inmates are running the asylum.)
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To: molson209
I think that the implications of this are that the federal government cares more about its agreements with foreign nations than with the concerns of the American people.

If American citizens are engaging in legal protests (even if their protests are silly like the Occupy Movement) then they should be free from government threat.

However, if the government is bought and paid for by foreign interests via shell companies in the US or because the government is more concerned with that one line in the Constitution that suggests that treaties are more important than the rights of citizens, then they will harass at will.

13 posted on 02/08/2015 8:56:22 AM PST by who_would_fardels_bear
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To: shove_it

“I’m from the government and I’m here to help you”.

2: The Check is in the mail.....


14 posted on 02/08/2015 9:06:25 AM PST by Autonomous User (During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.)
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To: Zuben Elgenubi

especially since neither the IRS or the FBI uses the phone for investigations


15 posted on 02/08/2015 9:33:56 AM PST by digger48
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To: digger48

I know for a fact that the FBI used the phone during the “Unibomber” investigation. They were calling all Nathan R in the US.


16 posted on 02/08/2015 9:46:49 AM PST by NathanR
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To: who_would_fardels_bear
protests that delayed northbound shipments of equipment to Canada’s oil sands

Calls into question whether or not the protests were legal.

17 posted on 02/08/2015 10:15:47 AM PST by Balding_Eagle (The Gruber Revelations are proof that God is still smiling on America.)
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To: Zuben Elgenubi
I'm thinking that maybe this is worse than a phone from the IRS.

In the past I have done work in areas that required a "Q" clearance. Each renewal required a background check. It scared the hell out of my neighbors as evidently the FBI is not real forth coming with why they were asking question about me.

18 posted on 02/08/2015 10:23:37 AM PST by Starstruck (If my reply offends, you probably don't understand sarcasm or criticism...or do.)
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To: Balding_Eagle
Worst case: private citizens are causing economic damage to a private company.

Why call in the FBI?

Can't the local police be called or just have the company sue the protesters?

19 posted on 02/08/2015 10:34:10 AM PST by who_would_fardels_bear
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To: who_would_fardels_bear

Worst case would be RICO.


20 posted on 02/08/2015 11:21:55 AM PST by Balding_Eagle (The Gruber Revelations are proof that God is still smiling on America.)
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