The head of the No Such Agency is denying the truth of the Wired article that caused such a stir last week.
No! No! Of course they aren’t spying on Americans! How could we even think such a thing? Our own government? Spying on us? Illegally? What, are you some sort of commie pinko subversive Islamist radical agitating racist anti-government paranoid weirdo fanatic?
At risk of coming down in the side of panic and hysteria … well, hell, just coming down on the side of reality … who you gonna believe in this fracas? Lessee … one of the most diabolically secretive agencies of government, one that’s already been caught repeatedly in unconstitutional, anti-American shenanigans … or one of the finest e-journalist publications in the world (albeit one with its own agenda) whose reputation hangs on its reporting?
Or your own commonsense?
Decisions … decisions …
Sniff sniff- I smell fascist pants burning…
The lies are usually in the details. I’m sure they’re not spying on everyone… they don’t have the resources, which is what he’s saying. He’s not saying that can’t spy on “someone”, just not on “everyone”. Even the East German Stasi, with about 1 out of 3 adults working for them, had a lot of stuff slip through the cracks and worse, their filing systems was too archaic to gather all the data into a usable form. Some of the biggest Stasi spies in the West German BND (intel gathering) and MAD (counter intel) still haven’t been discovered, although every year they charge a few more. However, General Alexander’s exasperation may have more to do with his serious regrets that they don’t yet have that power than any indignation over the charges.
Funny.
A how’s that saying go?
“Nothing’s official until it’s been officially denied”
Yeah, since they’ve denied it we can all assume it’s true. Why do they bother?
If it wasn’t true, they wouldn’t deny it. They are to busy to spend time denying rumor and myth.
Hey, EN, what are your thoughts on this post?:
Now here’s my thought too:
“… However, my concern is more with the ability to “look back” at conversations and emails of the past that you, at the time, thought were harmless. …
Innocent people are probably now sitting in jail because of bad groups of coincidences.” …
http://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2012/03/how-nsa-will-use-your-emails-and-phone.html
You say, “I’m sure they’re not spying on everyone… they don’t have the resources”
That phrase reminds me of this bit:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/mar/16/escape-north-korea-prison-camp
I could *so* see the unitedstate winding up like that, or parts of it anyway. Shudder.
Sometimes I think People such as yourself (especially the older generation) think of the People of the unitedstate as made up of Ok People,… do you ever get the feeling that’s not the case?
First off let me answer your question. YES, I THINK THE US IS MADE UP OF OK PEOPLE!!! There’s quite a few who are delusional, that’s a given, but I rarely see anyone with malice aforethought in their hearts. I’m curious as to how you feel about this. Is everyone evil in your mind? How many people do you think are good? What exactly is your end game, politically speaking?
As for Goldman looking back on emails, I’m sure they’re looking back to cleanse the record, as often happens in these cases, or (and this has been my experience in these situations) get rid of a moron or two. If you’re using the company computer you have no right to privacy. Totally different deal than the NSA.
As for us ending up like North Korea, I don’t see it, not even in my wildest Grappa soaked dreams. Like the Soviet Union perhaps? Yes, certainly the goal for our present administration, but it will be tough to do here as not even our underclass wants a meddling government. Money yes, but intrusion? Not so much.
Gotta agree with EN on this:
“As for us ending up like North Korea, I don’t see it, not even in my wildest Grappa soaked dreams. Like the Soviet Union perhaps? Yes, certainly the goal for our present administration, but it will be tough to do here as not even our underclass wants a meddling government. Money yes, but intrusion? Not so much.”
Are we headed off an economic cliff? Probably. Do our rulers have a frightening streak of paranoid authoritarianism? Yeaaaaahhhh. Are they insanely snoopy and desperate to keep us in Big Brother’s eye? Yup. Could we face some mass brutality in our future? Already headed in that direction.
But is there any sign that the U.S. is ever going to end up like one of the worst countries on the planet — a country that has prison camps more brutal and insane than Stalin’s? I don’t see the evidence.
We need to be watchful. But for cryin’ out loud, we can become so paranoid ourselves that we forget that we still live in a place with an armed populace, traditions of freedom, a thriving Outlaw underground, and so many good things that we do ourselves — and freedom — a terrible disservice by failing to enjoy them.