I know they’re watching me…

C.E. Grundler

And I’m not saying that in the paranoid manner of Otto Hammon, one of my favorite conspiracy bent lead characters. I’m saying it as a fact. After all, I spend my free time figuring out how to kill people in creative ways. Researching how to build a car bomb, different brews for home-made explosives, thermite, and assorted other mayhem. I’ve discussed those topics over the phone, with friends and family, who fortunately understand I’m only seeking to exterminate fictional humans. But every time some news story of true life horror breaks, and authorities investigate the perpetrator, among the details that emerge is a grocery list of red flag terms they’d been searching online, as well as shelves of books and other research materials on the very subjects that fill my computer and library. And last year, the Electronic Privacy Information Center posted online the 2011 Department of Homeland Security manual that includes hundreds of key words and search terms used to detect possible terrorism, unfolding natural disasters and public health threats. Scroll down to the inset, and check out page 20-23. Some words make perfect sense, and some seem just plain funny. But in any case, I use quite a few of those words, quite often.

I suppose, out of context, my conversations and online activities could appear alarming, but I’d also hope any reasonable agency would look at the books I’ve written, and the ones I’m currently writing, and conclude that I’m merely a crazy (but ultimately harmless) mystery writer. All the same, I’ve no doubt my search engine history has long ago flagged me as a ‘person of interest’ and landed me on a list or two. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if every word I post gets at least glancing scrutiny from some government agency somewhere out there. And that includes this very post. And recently, a chain of connections led me to an individual with a fascinating background in areas beyond anything I’ve ever dealt with before, areas that unquestionably have been and continue to be the subject of intent scrutiny by specific agencies. This person confirmed without question that our phone conversations and our emails are under observation, which didn’t shock or surprise me. If there was any chance I wasn’t on the radar before, I certainly am now.

So, to whoever it is that might be reviewing my online and social media activities, good morning, and have a nice day!

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