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Obama's Privacy Reform Panel Will Report To ... the NSA
FuzzNugget writes "No, you didn't just stumble upon The Onion by mistake. Ars Technica reports that Obama's 'reform' panel will report directly to James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence who arguably lied to Congress about whether the NSA conducted dragnet surveillance of Americans' communications. But is anyone really surprised?"
And most of you voted for him. I hope you are proud of yourselves.
Either he did or he didn't, there's no in-between. In actuality he lied, and did it intentionally.
Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
It's up to us to contact our representatives and let them know that they can't just sweep this under the rug like usual. There has to be consequences.
"Here Lies Philip J. Fry, named for his uncle, to carry on his spirit"
Let's put Obama in Gitmo
I've slowly started to come to the view that representative democracy has basically failed. It's time to try a new system.
What that system should be up for discussion but the idea of voting for representatives who then decide the policy has been tried and failed. It's too easy for corruption to take root and it's too easy for those people to grab power for power's sake.
I refuse to accept that there is no better solution than the status-quo. There must be a way to capture the will of the people, protect minorities, and protect the people from government overreach. There must be a way to have our cake and eat it.
You explain everything with malice in the government, and idiocy in the voters
Sarah Palin is an anti-intellectual spawn of Satan, but it is rather funny how that obnoxious line from one of her red meat rallies - "How's that hopey changey stuff working out for ya?" turned out to be oddly prophetic.
I'm going to go out on a limb here, but because the NSA has a lot of experience with security/privacy, they might be the best guys for the job, since they know what threats are out there. Yes, they are SIGINT, and maybe their HUMINT needs some shoring up, but expertise is expertise. You may not want the fox guarding the henhouse, but the fox will at least know which chickens are the most tender.
nt
This is a panel to determine if the US "employs its technical collection capabilities in a manner that optimally protects our national security and advances our foreign policy while appropriately accounting for other policy considerations, such as the risk of unauthorized disclosure and our need to maintain the public trust."
This isn't supposed to be oversignt. It's entirely for the NSA's benefit.
As political apathy sets in, corruption doesn't even bother hiding anymore.
You know, at least politicians of yesteryear would *convincingly* lie to us. I really appreciated the time and effort they went to to construct these elaborate castles of "inaccuracies", all in an effort to appease the masses.
These new politicians...I dunno...they don't even *try* anymore. It's like they're too busy screwing us and just phone in the excuses.
Mod me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
Oh yeah, 'bama is...
The article doesn't state it, but I heard on CBS News Radio this morning that the panel will also operate in secret, and all records will be classified.
Nothing to see here, move along, citizen. Thank you for your cooperation.
Any bets on what the panel will find? This is so close to 1984 you'd think it was a dream.
um.... DNI != NSA
More than anything else, I've been arguing for years that the biggest problem we have in our representative republic is our single-vote system. What we need is an instant runoff voting system to replace our single-vote ballot. I'm tired of the debates over Perot's role in 1992 every time a party needs to drum up support for an unpopular candidate, the debates over how to dethrone current party establishments without splitting the vote and thus forefitting to the other major party among Democrats and Republicans (well, mostly spoken of by Republicans actually), Libertarians and Greens voting for R and D candidates because their own party "can't win", and so on.
The only two ways to dethrone our two same-result-different-rhetoric parties are either to challenge the establishment in primaries (which occasionally works, but more often seems not to work) or to effectively end the monopoly they have on the ballot box by eliminating this idiotic idea that a third-party vote is thrown away. Instant runoff means no vote is wasted, no matter how unlikely a voter's highest-ranked candidate's victory seems.
Example: I know a lot of people who hated Romney and Obama as candidates, and would have liked to have selected someone else, but were so terrified of one or the other that they voted for the one who was most likely to defeat the one who scared them most. That's no way to elect a leader. Similarly, we could have used this process during the primaries to avoid similar problems in candidate selection. Especially states with early primaries, where it could be used to correct for candidates dropping out before the conventions. Though to be fair, most people are unaware that they elect delegates, not candidates.
The whole issue of picking candidates based not on merit but on "electability" is poison to a healthy democratic election.
In SOVIET RUSSIA... erm...NSA AMERICA, the Internet logs onto YOU!
Is that they live in a world so far removed from our own - in which civil rights, due process and conflicts of interest are active concerns - to such an extent that doing something like this "ain't no thang". Disturbing.
Frankly, they could have at least pretended to give a shit.
Except even that doesn't fully capture what is going on here. More like putting KFC in charge of the henhouse?
the best way to get by is to assume that the internet is a military installation, and you have temporary guest access.
He could have appointed his cat as the head of privacy reform panel on paper and secretly the panel reports to Mr Clapper. If Obama is not transparent, you wouldn't find out about it.
Welcome to your paradise.
If you want a Microsoft vision of the future, imagine a Nike boot stamping on a Maybeline human facebook - forever.
"Flyin' in just a sweet place,
Never been known to fail..."
The people investigating wrong-doing will be supervised by the wrong-doers.
Right now a lot of Dems probably feel the same way most republicans felt during Bush's final year or two. Voting face palm in both cases.
> How were we supposed to know he was going to pull this crap
For me, Obama's own radio ads were what convinced me he'd be very bad for the country. Until he started running ads were I lived, I was hopeful he'd be inspiring ala JFK.
I pay attention to people who have managed to get something I want, who have succeeded in something I want to do. I ask them "how did you do that"?
So for me, Obama's message of attacking success was alarming. I see that people who show up ten minutes early, so I TRY to follow their example. Obama's message indicated if he punctual people who dress nice get ahead, he'd put an 80% tax on watches to knock down those selfish punctual people. He SHOULD look at the presidential portraits and ask "what would Kennedy do?". In the campaign, he seemed more likely to look at the Kennedy portrait and flip Kennedy off for doing better than him. So that's how I knew he'd pull a bunch of crap.
Combined with that, about a year before he started his campaign he said it would be "irresponsible" for him to run for president because "I believe in knowing what you're doing when you apply for a job." He was correct in stating that he wouldn't know what to do as president, but that might have been okay IF he'd recognized that and followed the examples of successful presidents.Unfortunately, that's his number one flaw - he doesn't learn from successful people, he envies them and attacks whatever is successful.
> and how would voting for the other asshole have been any better?
It couldn't have been much worse. You might say 2008 was worse, but even awful Bush, in his first six years, looks better than Obama's first six years by most objective measures. That's comparing Obama to one of the worst presidents in history.
Romney at least appeared COMPETENT, though kind of slimy. He really reminds me of Bill Clinton in that way. On the economy, for example, everybody wants
for there to be more jobs. Romney, having something of a clue, would probably create more jobs. He wouldn't be focused on union jobs, if that matters to you, but non-union jobs are better than no jobs.
So, when does everyone think surveillance of US citizen's communications by the US government started?
With Obama?
With Dubya and the Patriot act?
With the creation of ARPANET? Oh, I mean the internet.
With the House Un-American Activities Committee?
Since day one of Ma Bell's existence?
This anger towards the Obama administration is akin to catching your partner cheating on you and being angry about that, but not being angry about all the years they cheated on you before this outed transgression.
Those of you who fear socialism in the U.S, it must be looking a little better than what we currently have..
Get your guns
“We did not - repeat - did not trade weapons or anything else for hostages - nor will we."
I'm changing my vote away from the two party system in all future elections. Time to focus on Libertarian or anyone who will dismantle this trash entirely. Even if my vote never counts, it's time to start throwing it away neither the republicans nor the democrats deserve it anymore. Who is with me?
...the Director of National Intelligence who arguably lied to congress about whether the NSA conducted dragnet surveillance of Americans' communications.
Damn /. editors, you misspelled "arguably". The proper spelling is D-E-F-I-N-I-T-E-L-Y.
It is not like this administration hasn't done similar things before.
Time to offend someone
Our Constitution accounts for the historical precedent of the Executor attempting to accumulate more power. While the rationale would initially be to perform his/her job more effectively, as more power is gained that power will eventually corrupt. But, in the present fear-mongering post-9/11 world, Congress members are the ones screaming the loudest for the executive branch to gain and use their power, out of fear that should another incident occur they want a legislative record absolving them of blame.
I hold that we're getting the government that we've asked for. Even when the TSA tried to remove the small knives ban, there was a huge uproar and the ban was reinstated. You want your rights, demand your Congressmen protect them. They do listen, but unfortunately right now we're telling them to go whole hog on surveillance.
I swear to God...I swear to God! That is NOT how you treat your human!
Arguably, TFS? You mean like being Arguably pregnant?
Successful.
Code for the justification of rapacious, unchecked greed, almost always combined with a near-homicidal reaction to being asked to help sustain the very society from which they harvested their lucre. See: 'Job Creators'. In the Fiction aisle.
Hey Obama if you want to put on a show to make people trust Amerika land of the jailed home of the scared shitless of terrorism again you at least have to act as if you actually care and are making an honest effort.
What you have done is like what Microsoft did when people said they wanted their "start button" back. Your actions only serves to reinforce the perception of contempt for the public and continue to chip away at the governments legitimacy. This has real consequences for foreign and domestic investment in US communications services and infrastructure.
Enjoy your fibre taps while they last...before long there won't be any "international" traffic to spy on and any traffic remaining will be encrypted and it is YOUR fault.
You know just as well as anyone secret capabilities when used errode over time and never remain secret indefinatly. If it was not snowden it would have been someone or thing else. The truth is known eventually. You have noone to blaim but yourselves. You must do more than demonstrate your contempt for the public.
"Oh, screw you. How were we supposed to know he was going to pull this crap..."
Are you F***ing serious? He had just been pulling the same bullshit for 4 years. You had 4 years (now 5) to figure out that he was doing all this. We knew. Why didn't you? It isn't like we weren't screaming about it to the heavens for years, eh? Oh, wait... yes, we were. We know more about the specifics now. But big deal. We did see it coming and we did warn you, loudly, for a long time.
"... and how would voting for the other asshole have been any better?"
And as someone else already pointed out, there have always been more than 2 choices. And some of them were actually pretty decent choices. If, that is, you did your own research and did not listen to all the media's attempts to marginalize them.
it's hard not to 'feed the trolls' when their comments are first and get modded +5 Insightful
Thank you Dave Raggett
Considering the circumstances...I doubt anyone reading this could have achieved more.
I know I'm 'feeding the trolls' but I'm asking for alternatives...I think the Obama bashing here on /. is reductive at best and done by chatbots at worst...either way it's tearing down the level of discussion.
Respond with **what you would have done differently as President**
Remember: You start in 2008 needing GOP votes to pass health care, and in 2010 the House Speaker says they oppose *anything* you do regardless of policy in order to get you voted out.
That's where you start with your scenario.
You say 'Obama is horrible' or 'Obama is as bad as Bush' then **prove it by offering a realistic alternative** to actual policy choices. What should he have done?
Also, you have to describe how you get the **entire intelligence community** to go with whatever changes you are making (ex: "man, if I was president I would have cancelled all the NSA programs and made them public on day one")...in the middle of TWO WARS. Note that the President can't just by fiat declassify all government secrets...he has to go through procedure.
So start there...if you aren't trolling I'll respond...you must address at least the issues I laid out in your response.
If you can't muster an actual viable response to this challenge then you prove yourself to be pure tollface trash...stop posting here!
Thank you Dave Raggett
I mean, what's the real difference between repucrate and demoblican ? From my unschooled eye, they both suck the dick of their corporate and military complex overlord, while throwing a few peanuts to the average citizen. Sure there are hot button issues, to polarize people. But those hot button issues only matter ideologically, for the rest, economy, tax, sucking dick to corporation, and killing the middle class, while allowed more and more waelth to go to the higher class, they are all united.
"There is never an excuse when you willingly vote for evil. Never.".
Sure. Sure. Except most of the population care only for their next pay check, a few hot button issues, and their next season of their favorite reality show.
I'm thinking everyone on the internet is going to stop thinking Obama is a secret muslim and start thinking he's a secret Republican. That's because NOBODY will EVER vote democrat again after like 6 scandals in a row plus this bullshit and then dancing around it. He makes Bush look good by comparison. If you think this NSA nonsense is a nail in the coffin, remember that he didn't do a damn thing about the environment. As soon as that medical care bill takes full effect and everyone's rates triple, there won't be another democrat in office for 5 terms minimum. People don't forget stuff like this. Piles and piles and piles of stuff like this.
Are we surprised? No. You can't believe a word these people say.
Or Common Sense by Tom Paine. Then remember that both sets of documents were originally published anonymously in order to protect the authors.
Still think being Anonymous (especially in this political climate) is a bad idea?
Say whatever you want about how much they may be in the same camp or agree philosophically, but Clapper is the Director of National Intelligence. The NSA is led by General Keith Alexander, the Director of the NSA, who reports to the Director of National Intelligence. If you're going to complain about who reports to who, at least know who reports to who...
Who watches the Watchmen? Why the Watchmen of course!
"It's not tyranny and oppression because we don't call it that."
So, everyone, how the heck does it feel to be subjects rather than plain citizens?!??
Enough said.
: (
Jesus said "I saw Satan falling as Lightning (Aramaic = Barak) from (Aramaic = O) heaven (Aramaic = Bahma).
Aramaic is the oldest form of Hebrew. You decide.
Let's throw more gas on this fire. Rather than fall on swords, throw some scapegoats out of their ears and try to generate something else to distract public attention, the current administration seems hell bent on ensuring even those registered in their party never vote for another incumbent from their party or the other. This is a mega-great sign that it is time for change. I just struggle with why Clapper isn't being prosecuted for Perjury and the NSA leadership for violation of our 4th amendment rights. If this was an average citizen, like Schwartz, they continued to go out of their way to make life miserable for him.... time to clean some house, guys....
I know that's the joke you heard on the Daily Show. The fact is, when Bain invested in Staples, they hadn't yet managed to open a store.
using his money, the opened their first store and 2,300 others.
Ampad, formerly American Pad & Paper, did $107 million in sales before Bain. After Bain, $584 million.
With the help of Bain, Totes Isotoner is now the world's largest seller of umbrellas and gloves.
Bain bought Experian for $1 billion. Afer less than a year of Bain management, it as worth $1.7 billion.
In five years of Bain management, Steel Dynamics grew 500%
You can come up with plenty of things to not like about Romney. He darn sure knows how to make a business successful, though.
When a business, like Steel Dynamics, gets five times larger, they have to sell five times as much stuff and hire five times as many people, so he knows something about economics. You can could complain that some of the companies aren't union jobs if unions are your thing or whatever, but the guy damn sure knows how to get it done.
Ah, 'successful', why your mom HAS a basement for you to live in. Because she's successful, add you're a whiner.
One day, you might decide to quit bitching and go do the things successful people do, like show up to work SOBER. Then you can have your very own basement to smoke up.
I know that's the joke you heard on the Daily Show. The fact is, when Bain invested in Staples, they hadn't yet managed to open a store.
using his money, the opened their first store and 2,300 others.
Ampad, formerly American Pad & Paper, did $107 million in sales before Bain. After Bain, $584 million.
With the help of Bain, Totes Isotoner is now the world's largest seller of umbrellas and gloves.
Bain bought Experian for $1 billion. Afer less than a year of Bain management, it as worth $1.7 billion.
In five years of Bain management, Steel Dynamics grew 500%
The companies Bain helped manage hired tens of thousands of people. There are things to not like about him, sure. He's slick, squirrely, like Bill "Slick WIlly" Clinton, for example. To say he didn't successfully grow businesses is like saying Mohammed Ali couldn't fight. Ali might suck at a lot of things, but he sure knew how to fight, and Romney sure knew how to grow businesses.
But don't worry. Obamacrats will shout down anyone who questions this. All Hail Supreme Leader.
A candidate that you do not agree with 100% does not make the candidate partially evil.
Please, learn to think before saying anything else.
It was nice while it lasted.
Mod parent up. Most people enter politics to "make the world a better place", they genuinely want to make a difference. That's a tough job to take on, right from the start you know a lot of people are going to do everything in their power to ensure you fail, up to and including a bullet to the head. If you succeed, you might just find that in the long run your good intentions have done nothing more than pave the way to hell (re: The Arab Spring).
:)
Turns out to be a "fact of life" that people have different ideas of what "a better place" looks like and different ideas of how to achieve it. For example I strongly disagree with how the major parties here in Australia are currently handling the "boat people" issue. It's obvious to any decent person that the system is both inhumane and ludicrously expensive. Having said that, there are 45 million people circling the globe that have no country to call home and few prospects of finding one legally. It is my deep conviction that the way we are treating them now is "evil" but a significant portion of the population have a deep conviction in the opposite direction (ie: the boat people are evil, not us). I don't have a cure for my nation's xenophobic impulses, nor have I ever heard one, to pander to (and rationalise) such public impulses is actually part of a politician's job description.
Having said that, I think that the society I live in now is (on the whole) a much better place than the one I was born into in 1959, but most of the major improvements started before I was 20, some examples of these "improvements" are; the civil rights movement, the sexual revolution, women's lib, the end of conscription, and the environmental movement. Now I'm absolutely certain some slashdotter's will see one or more of the things in the list as a step backward, that doesn't necessarily make them evil, it just makes them wrong
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
Yes.
Being attacked left and right everyone would be bitching about that too. Personally I if these are the two choices I will take the one that helps me not be attacked.
His involvement with Staples included financing the very FIRST store, and was early in his Bain capital career. So "after he was long gone" is the exact opposite of the facts. He got rich largely from Staples, investing $650,000 to get it started and growing it to a major national chain.
I tend to agree on scruples. I don't KNOW of specific examples, but he's got a sleazy vibe that reminds me of Clinton. On the other hand, he gives away 18% of his income. That suggests that he's a lot nicer guy than anyone in Washington.
Obama Bin Laden for prez = America 'powned'
An Obama staff proposal is to extend high speed internet access to public schools and does not need nor require Congressional approval and oversight!
So Mr. Obama wants to unleash General Clapper and his Porn Dogs at NSA on the school children of the USA to spy on them and pass information about their parents to the NSA.
How warming (in the crouch of his $10K Armenia trousers) and thoughtful of Mr. Obama toward the children of America.
Obama flashes his pervert 'colors.'
http://wh.gov/lgkIw
Thanks God! For a moment I thought there's something fishy here...
Democrats clearly only seem trustworthy. Obama certainly seemed like a caring, honest, and sincere leader. But, yeah, not so much. The ineptness of Republicans and their childlike inability to resist blowing their own horn, means that they are relatively transparent. Better the devil you know ...
"Consensus" in science is _always_ a political construct.
Obama, what a pathetic choice for president. Next cycle Americans should just elect Stalin or Hitler or even Lex Luther. Anybody would be better than this Joker. And maybe the hopey dopey could at least then be morally honest about who exactly they're electing .
Bain's main successes were from before they decided corporate robbery was more profitable. I don't doubt their own PR focuses on their early days when they still added some value, but later on, they really did destroy companies to loot the dying corpse. And Romney was instrumental in that switch.
>>No it won't. It will do nothing. The voter has to learn to resist propaganda, and think critically. Check the records, not the campaign speeches. Campaign 'reform' is a bullshit shell game, just like term limits. They will find another way to launder the money.
Rather, "and think critically, and waste no time to take organized action with reason and empathy based on conclusions attained by evidence."
Authority questions you. Return the favor. -- d474
It's like hiring a wolf bodyguard for you sheep herd. Good thinking!
The thing is, in spite of his terrible first term, you lemmings voted for him a second time!
Your vote is useless but everyday you make the choice to vote with your dollar. Money is what drives this democracy so control it!
Myth. Perot earned votes from both Republican and Democratic voters. But the bottom line is that Clinton had already pulled ahead of Bush before Perot re-entered the race.