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."
Who is in charge? (Score:5, Interesting)
How long before Congress simply states "We aren't in charge anymore."?
Half right (Score:4, Interesting)
My gut says this is plausible, but we don't really know - it's never been tried.
Re:No real congressional over-site (Score:5, Interesting)
If we had some people in Congress and the Senate who were genuine leaders with a modicum of courage and respect for the oath they swore on The Constitution, they'd go public. Let's see Big Brother arrest some of our elected officials for "treason" because they tell their constituents what the government is doing.
After all of Obama's speeches telling us about how the programs have congressional oversight, I've been demanding that my elected asshats in DC tell me exactly who knows the details. No luck yet. I've suggested that it must be the intelligence committees, but my Rep. and Senators won't give me any specifics.
Re:Reactions to this (Score:5, Interesting)
Or the espionage act of 1917. Created with the noble intent of going after people who spoke against joining WWI.
Re:Half right (Score:2, Interesting)
Three people died yesterday in Boston due to a car wreck. We must ensure that no other person dies in a car accident by requiring a GPS implant in every car as well as a device that only allows a car to be activated with government approval. Without this, all of our safety is at dire risk. Additionally, we must ensure that no traffic laws are broken by requiring a live dashcam feed sent to the local police department for every vehicle on the road. Without this, we will not be able to identify those who are at risk of breaking a traffic law and placing *ALL* of us at grave risk.
The media (Score:5, Interesting)
So... up until this NSA/Snowden incident, I believed the media was incompetent. Not malicious... just out to make a buck and real news was expensive to do research on. But now it's clear. The coverage on this entire affair by CNN, CBS, NBC, etc... is flat out propaganda. There is no question that what the NSA is doing is unconstitutional. It is, without a doubt, a violation of our rights. Snowden really is a political activist. The US would be applauding such behavior of a Chinese citizen, and we would provide them asylum in a heartbeat. The presidents that allowed this to continue (Bush and Obama) should be charged in criminal court for this. Obama, at the very least should be impeached. The courts involved, the members of congress that were aware, they should all lose their offices at the very least. The NSA should be shut down permanently. We still have a chance to save the republic... but it's a small one. Everyone in this country needs to vote 3rd party going forward. If you vote R or D in any election in the future, you're a traitor to your country and we should all be ashamed of you.
Re:Since when (Score:5, Interesting)
The fact that you called them "insurgents" speaks volumes to your own political outlook. When the so-called Tea Party looks like a radical departure from the Republican party you know the blinders are on. While the Tea Party did have a good grassroots structure behind it at one point, today it's just another faction of a slightly fractured party. It certainly isn't enough to think that there is serious momentum from the status quo. Even more so apparent when you consider where the "Tea Party" is today compared to these grass roots. It's safe to say the Tea Party would be pretty much forgotten if it weren't for the Democrats trying to whip anyone they didn't like into the mold of a "teabagger."
Re:Since when (Score:2, Interesting)
"While the Tea Party did have a good grassroots structure behind it at one point,"
false.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brendan-demelle/study-confirms-tea-party-_b_2663125.html [huffingtonpost.com]
wait.. you think the Tea Party was created recently? *points at mmcxii "HAHAHAHAHahahahahahha!"
Next you will be telling me you think some women in 2009 created it..*wipes tear from eye.
Re:Since when (Score:5, Interesting)
When it comes right down to it the big political parties are turning into the next aristocracy and their followers turn a blind eye to their excesses and abuses. We can't afford to offer tours of the White House but we can bring in AAA rated pop stars to do birthday parties? Are you kidding me?
I don't believe a Republican administration would be that much different.
It's a party, to be sure... and you're not invited unless you can write some big money checks.