US Senators: NSA Lies In Fact Sheets 295
Bruce66423 writes "The Guardian reports that two U.S. senators have written to the NSA telling it to amend its 702 provisions fact sheet (PDF) which, they claim, contains inaccuracies. However they can't actually say HOW they are inaccurate, because they would be compromising classified information. So the U.S. government uses taxpayer money to lie to the people... there's a surprise!"
From the letter: "In our judgment, this inaccuracy is significant, as it portrays protections for Americans' privacy as being significantly stronger than they actually are." But they go on to say "We appreciate your attention to this matter. We believe that the U.S. government should have broad authorities to investigate terrorism and espionage, and that it is possible to aggressively pursue terrorists without compromising the constitutional rights of ordinary Americans. Achieving this goal depends not just on secret courts and secret congressional hearings, but on informed public debate as well."
Re:Since when (Score:4, Informative)
Any opportunity to give the appearance of caring what the serfs think of them, at least until the next series of America's Top Next Factor Voice Brother starts and this whole mess can be forgotten.
Re:Since when (Score:2, Informative)
No, but "cold fjord" and the other government shills/retards will be here soon to tell us that it's all ok and for our own safety.
Re:Good to see senators at least doing their job (Score:5, Informative)
Actually, generating public outcry is probably the best thing that they can do. There are only a couple good senators and representatives in the US congress and they're not going to overturn these awful laws by themselves. Instead, all they can do is call out the other legislators on their supposed claims of government oversight keeping these programs in check, because obviously that's not happening. The NSA, and probably all other US (and UK, and other) intelligence agencies have already been exposed several times for their lies to the public (and this goes back decades as well).
So the best thing that these good guy legislators can do is expose the programs and discredit the people that support them. That will get a lot of people who are on the fence to fall on their side.
Re:Since when (Score:5, Informative)
Well, there's an important decision to be made.
The OATH of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES that he takes before the entire world during his inauguration clearly states that his duty in that position is "to protect and uphold the constitution of the United States".
However, George Bush stated that his job was to be "The Decider".
And Obama repeatedly states at every interview and speech that his "first priority and duty as president" is "to protect the American people".
So.. no, they don't have "the law" (ie, the Constitution) anywhere in their realm of concern.
Even though Obama is a fucking Constitutional lawyer, I believe.
Re:Secret courts? (Score:2, Informative)
I think having a nuanced view of these issues requires us to consider the possibility that such things might sometimes be justified.
Spies and terrorists do exist. The levels of these threats may be different from what they are portrayed to be, but they're not completely fictitious.
Is it completely unreasonable to ever need to keep secrets in the investigation and handling of spies and terrorists?
Re:Half right (Score:4, Informative)
Re:smirk (Score:5, Informative)
Found it archived here:
http://web.archive.org/web/20130625004125/http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/press_releases/section_702_protections.pdf [archive.org]