Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. What debate, according to the article, has intensified since Sept. 11, 2001? What direct evidence is there of the debate?

 

 

 

2. What has the FBI been doing prior to the Democratic and Republican political conventions?

 

 

 

3. Who is critical of the FBI? Why? Be specific.

 

 

 

4. How do activists feel about the FBI's actions? Find a quote that expresses this.

 

 

 

5. How does the FBI respond to its critics?

 

 

 

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. How can a government in a democracy balance the need to keep people safe with the right of its citizens to criticize the government itself? Where do you draw a line? Should you draw a line? Is one more important than the other? Explain your reasoning.

2. Do you agree with the activists in the story that a visit from the FBI is intimidating? Research the details of these "visits" to activists. Does knowing more information change your opinion? Why or why not?

3. Read the quote from Donna Lieberman below. What was the McCarthy era? How does it apply to the current situation? Do you think that the two situations are similar? Why or why not?

"Political interrogation without suspicion of criminal activity hearkens back to the bad old days of the McCarthy era," said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. "The FBI does not have a right to intimidate people for criticizing the government."

Write a 500-800 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.