NSA Confirms It Has Been Searching US Citizens' Data Without a Warrant 274
Charliemopps writes: "According to Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, 'There have been queries, using U.S. person identifiers, of communications lawfully acquired to obtain foreign intelligence targeting non-U.S. persons reasonably believed to be located outside the United States. These queries were performed pursuant to minimization procedures approved by the Fisa court and consistent with the statute and the fourth amendment.' Basically, if you communicated with someone that is 'reasonably believed' to be a terrorist, you've lost constitutional protection against searches without a warrant, according to the NSA."
Re:This is (Score:3, Interesting)
Free To Do What We Tell You (Score:5, Interesting)
" Basically, if you communicated with someone ..." (Score:4, Interesting)
"Basically, if you communicated with someone that is 'reasonably believed' to be a terrorist, you've lost constitutional protection against searches without a warrant"
Fair game. Really. And I speak here as the pacifist humanitarian that I am.
But how do you make distinction between a terrorist and a freedom figher whose people are trying to survive genonide under your friendly ("preferred") trading partners? Tibet (unique in every way; language, culture, ethnicity, script etc.)? Ukraine (unique and close to Europe)? Or perhaps just a member of some rural middle-eastern belief system from the 6th century?
What value system are you basing this "terrorist" label upon? Believing in freedom? Self-determination? Or something else? Saying unpleasant things about the militaristic occupying nation? (you'd disappear in China)
It's the 21st century so please make up your mind and finally make more than a pretend stand on this issue: who are the terrorists (who you may actually trade with) and who are the actual victims of terrorism (often state-sponsored)?
The whole democratic majority of the world (as long as it exists) has a last chance to decide what they consider acceptable, at a state level. Are your real opponents mere misguided goat herders or something state-sponsored and fundamentally game-changing?
Re:April Fools? (Score:1, Interesting)
Right, just like police brutality stopped when we arrested the first guy to do it..
The problem is that the culture inside law enforcement is that these guys see themselves as the avenging angels of justice, fully entitled to break the law in pursuit of capturing criminals. And it's no wonder, when you look at American films and television. It's always some lone cop, on a vigilante mission to kill the bad guys, above the law. It's a fantasy that has been so ingrained in our culture at this point, that from when these guys are little kids to when they join the force they are already programmed to fail. They're like mindless machines at that point -- they don't even see what is wrong with it...
Re:April Fools? (Score:4, Interesting)
Well maybe if we arrested them then beat them and water boarded them repeatedly, maybe that might get the point across?
Executive branch (Score:2, Interesting)
And the NSA is under the Executive branch of the US Government - the President of the US.
Back in 2001 - 2008, there was a President that was grabbing more power away from Congress and from we the people under the reason of National Security and safety and 9-11.
Some of us had a problem with that. We were called "unAmerican", "Bipartisan" and "Liberal".
When we protested and said that, "Whoever is next in office will get those powers and they WILL expand on them - regardless of their party." we were accused of using the "slippery slope" logical fallacy.
Now, we have a President of another party. He has not done much to reduce the powers the previous Administration gained.
The next POTUS will use those powers further - regardless of party. People will use the vapid rhetoric of "well, we haven't had another terrorist attack since! So, he's doing something RIGHT!"
So, the next time someone accuses me or anyone for that matter of using the "slippery slope" logical "fallacy", I'm gonna shove this example up their ass.
It won't do any good.. Next election in '16 will be about the same bullshit issues - abortion, when life begins, too much taxes, and "national security.
Abortion: doesn't apply to me because if a loved one wants one - even if it's illegal here - we'll jump on a plane to somewhere where it is because I'm well to do - and that is how it was done way back when. Anti-abortion laws only affects the poor.
Taxes - I'm for that. I want to pay zero and have the middle class pay my way.
National security: I don't give a rat's ass because I'm stateless. My capital rules. You go ahead and send your sons and daughters to die and fight for oil....freedom. (Some asshole Thunderbird pilot on Reddit actually said that he was there to fight for the downtrodden and for freedom - never mentioning that we won't touch N. Korea. USAF - lead don't fly! )
See folks, we are all a bunch of peons. We got our cars, cable, internet, and an ability to rant on the Internet. (Irony intentional.)
We are thrown bones to shut us up - the social Conservatives are the easiest to shut up; but they do keep demanding more and they won't be happy until we are a theocracy like Iran.
I am done now because my disgust for all of you is starting to make me gag.
Re:April Fools? (Score:4, Interesting)
Slasdot's biggest april's fools joke this year: No april's fools jokes! All of the news is unbelievable!