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US Senators: NSA Lies In Fact Sheets

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."

6 of 295 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Since when by SonnyDog09 · · Score: 0, Troll

    Perhaps you haven't noticed that Tea Party insurgents have defeated incumbents in primary elections several times recently. See Richard Lugar from Indiana, for example.

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    Your "fair share" is NOT in my wallet.
  2. Re:Reactions to this by cold+fjord · · Score: 1, Troll

    How about instead of creating new legislation, they repeal some old bills. Like the National Security Act of 1947.

    Great idea. What are you going to replace it with? Or do you think the US should just do away with the US Department of Defense, NSA, Army, Navy, Air Force, etc.? Shouldn't there be at least some sort of mutual disarmament treaty between the major powers before the US disarms? Maybe try building on the success of the Kellogg–Briand Pact which outlawed war?

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    much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
  3. Re:Half right by cold+fjord · · Score: 0, Troll

    Why does the NSA see tigers everywhere?

    Because there are tigers to be seen if you are willing and able to look.

    National Counterterrorism Center: Annex of Statistical Information

    Attacks worldwide : People killed, injured or kidnapped

    2007: 14,415 71,803
    2008: 11,663 54,290
    2009: 10,968 58,720
    2010: 11,641 49,928
    2011: 10,283 43,990

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    much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
  4. Re:Secret courts? by cold+fjord · · Score: 1, Troll

    There NO place for ... secret Congressional hearings in a free society.

    That is a popular if completely unserious view. Do you really believe that in the modern world today that a republic of 300,000,000 people will have no secrets that have to be maintained, and that you personally should have access to everything at your whim? If you do, then you fundamentally misunderstand the nature of representative government.

    There NO place for secret courts ... in a free society.

    The US FISA court isn't a secret trial court that tries suspects for guilt or innocence. It is a court that handles classified information and requests for warrants. The judges on it are ordinary judges. If the FISA court didn't exist, little would change. The matters before it would still be confidential.

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    much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
  5. Re:Since when by cold+fjord · · Score: 1, Troll

    The truth hurts less than shrapnel.

    One sided debates tend to be pointless.

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    much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
  6. Re:Half right by cold+fjord · · Score: 0, Troll

    You aren't up to date with the news.

    NSA chief defends surveillance, says helped prevent terror plots more than 50 times since 9/11

    Alexander, speaking before the House intelligence committee, said the programs "have protected the U.S. and our allies from terrorist threats across the globe," pointing to the intelligence community's ability to better connect the dots as a reason why there hasn't been another 9/11-style attack.

    Specifically, he said they helped prevent terror "events" more than 50 times in more than 20 countries since 2001. Alexander said he plans to provide details on all the cases to lawmakers in a classified setting on Wednesday.

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    much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell