I came into this conversation with the full understanding that their efforts were not about stopping terrorists. The report proves it. It makes the whole operation look worse in my opinion.they have their uses beyond searching for potential terror plots.
That argument could be used to justify all sorts of Federal power grabs. The Patriot Act is just a tool. Gun Registration is just a tool. A Biometric Database is just a tool.But treating Fusion Centers as an evil entity just because of their capabilities isn't much different than being against firearms because they've been used for evil purposes in the past and could be used so in the future. They are tools and tools need to be used correctly and for their proper purpose.
All of the above would make certain people feel safe from terrorists. They would seem like appealing powers to give a benevolent guardian angel. But history teaches us that the government is ANYTHING but a guardian angel. At some point it becomes pertinent to ask what gave the Federal Government the authority to do the things it does.