Day: January 14, 2014

‘Burglars’ Revealed: Sixties Activists Who Stole FBI COINTELPRO Files | Common Dreams

Americans are outraged that their government would violate their privacy……WAKE UP!

They have been doing so for 40+ years……only in the past it was those darn Leftist that were the biggest ‘threat’…..sorry a citizen is a citizen no matter what they choose to believe, ideologically that is,…….and yet no one wants to think about what they have done in the past….why?  Because they think it did not apply to them……once again let me reiterate….WAKE UP!

As an aging radical I was targeted by a program called COINTELPRO……a secret program to keep track of citizens that may not agree with the government…..it was a secret program until it was exposed…….and here are the people that did the exposing…….

‘Burglars’ Revealed: Sixties Activists Who Stole FBI COINTELPRO Files | Common Dreams.

Are We Safer?

Like I said in an earlier post…today will be my NSA day and what it has actually accomplished….I know most Americans will agree with good old Rush about what a dastardly deed it is to spy on American citizens….I mean the NSA has collected metadata enough to keep a sleepless android working for years to sort through all that stuff…..

We hear that some of it was by necessity so that we could remain safe and secure in our homes while the spy dudes diligently browsed through their collections looking for that elusive “bad guy”…..but with all that diligence, how much safer are we?

(Photo courtesy of AP)

Good question…..and there is at least one answer…I am sure there are others….but this one I like….

Newser) – The NSA’s controversial trove of phone metadata “has had no discernible impact on preventing acts of terrorism,” a new analysis of 225 terrorism cases from the nonprofit New America Foundation has concluded. Most of the cases it looked at were cracked using old-fashioned investigative tools, like tip-offs from family or community members, or the use of informants, the Washington Post reports. Bulk surveillance had “only the most marginal of impacts,” helping to initiate at most 1.8% of cases.

The government argues that the NSA database allows it to respond rapidly. But in the main case it cites to defend the program—in which a man was convicted of sending money to Somali terrorists—the FBI waited two months to act on the NSA’s tip. The report largely backs up President Obama’s advisory panel. Obama will announce proposed reforms for the program Friday. But while he could stop the program on his own, he’s expected to instead suggest a public-private hybrid program to replace it—which will require always elusive Congressional approval, Politico reports.

So I ask again….Are We Safer?

Your thoughts would be appreciated……

Spanking The NSA

Today I would liike to focus on the NSA ‘scandal’ and other types of domestic intel gathering…..I cannot believe how naive the press pretends to be, that is both Left and Right, they go on and on about the domestic spying thing but it is all so much crap!

Now I have given a couple of situations that could be made into a good scandal if the use of the propaganda techniques were employed….sadly NO one bit at the chance…..so sad…I guess I will move on……

We all have our opinion on the NSA and the domestic spying thingy, right?  Well there seems to be a push of “reform” the agency……okay had to smile….there is nothing more worthless than a “reform”…..the prez outlined just what those little tweaks will be to secure the safety of the privacy of American citizens…..

(Newser) – With a presidential speech on NSA reforms coming as soon as next week, the Wall Street Journal has the inside track on President Obama’s thinking. Changes could come as a combination of executive and legislative action. Among possible major changes to the way the agency works:

  • A review panel has recommended that, for the first time, non-US citizens gain privacy protections under the Privacy Act of 1974. President Obama appears to favor the idea, a top administration official tells the paper.
  • The panel is also calling for an overhaul of NSA phone record-gathering, suggesting that phone companies or a separate body collect the records instead of the agency itself. That idea is “absolutely being seriously considered,” says the official. The panel would like to see court approval required for a search of those records.
  • The panel has urged a change to the FBI’s secret “national security letters,” which call for data without needing court approval; the panel wants that approval. Obama may alter the procedure, though FBI director James Comey has raised concerns.
  • As previously reported, a public advocate may be appointed for surveillance court arguments against government requests.

In recent days, Obama has met with a range of privacy advocates, intelligence officials, and lawmakers to discuss the reforms. Following a meeting with White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler, one government secrecy expert noted: “There was an implicit assurance that change is coming, even though its exact contours could not be disclosed.”

And there you have the “fix” that is proposed……read the 4 closely….now do you feel safer?