‘(T)ERROR’: Documentary about FBI Entrapment Surprises and Disgusts

By Gregory Crofton

Ever heard of an FBI informant who smokes blunts?

Meet Saeed Torres, a Black Panther Party member turned government employee, who, when he’s not smoking weed, works to befriend suspected potential terrorists. His job as a paid informant is to push these suspects into a position where they can incriminate themselves. He gets a paycheck, they go to prison for years, and America becomes a safer place to live.

Well, probably not. But what (T)ERROR throw light on is the business behind the counterterrorism programs of federal government in the post 9/11 era. The filmmakers were able to film Torres working a case because he’s fed up with the work and ready to make this his last assignment.

It’s not the most scintillating documentary, but it does remind Americans that they have entrusted the federal government with a lot of power and a lot of money.