NSA Spying Hurts California's Business 277
mspohr points out an opinion piece from Joe Mathews that "makes the argument that California's economic life depends on global connections. 'Our leading industries — shipping, tourism, technology, and entertainment — could not survive, much less prosper, without the trust and goodwill of foreigners. We are home to two of the world's busiest container ports, and we are a leading exporter of engineering, architectural, design, financial, insurance, legal, and educational services. All of our signature companies — Apple, Google, Facebook, Oracle, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Chevron, Disney — rely on sales and growth overseas. And our families and workplaces are full of foreigners; more than one in four of us were born abroad, and more than 50 countries have diaspora populations in California of more than 10,000.' It quotes John Dvorak: 'Our companies have billions and billions of dollars in overseas sales and none of the American companies can guarantee security from American spies. Does anyone but me think this is a problem for commerce?' It points out that: 'Asian governments and businesses are now moving their employees and systems off Google's Gmail and other U.S.-based systems, according to Asian news reports. German prosecutors are investigating some of the American surveillance. The issue is becoming a stumbling block in negotiations with the European Union over a new trade agreement. Technology experts are warning of a big loss of foreign business.' The article goes on to suggest that perhaps a California constitutional amendment confirming privacy rights might help (but would not guarantee a stop to Federal snooping)."
Can somebody please rein in California? (Score:5, Funny)
All this caring about what foreigners think sounds Unamerican to me.
Re:So Europeans don't spy? (Score:3, Funny)
What does the dgse and other agencies do all day?
Evaluate the data they receive from NSA.
Re:Reason for secrecy (Score:5, Funny)
That's the exact same reason why a murderer should be sure to always safely dispose of the victim's body, clean up traces and never speak to anyone about the crime. Confessing it will never do him any good...
Re:What're you gonna do? (Score:4, Funny)
Ah, the ancient sport of looking down on Americans as uncultured slobs.
I wouldn't call it a sport. Sports require skill.
Re:They voted for it (Score:4, Funny)
Californians voted for bigger, more intrusive government. They got it. They should accept the consequences.
Right, because all government action is the same. If you vote for tighter pollution controls, you should expect to have your communications recorded.
simple solution (Score:3, Funny)
Secede. Get rid of the federal beast sucking at your throat while simulatenously choking it.
It'll make it easier for the rest of us to do the same, and then maybe we can finally know some peace.
Re:Don't be stupid (Score:2, Funny)
Pro tip: Slashdot is a US based service.
Also, it's spelled "tyranny".