Obama Nominates Vice Admiral Michael Rogers New NSA Chief

Posted by samzenpus on Thursday January 30, 2014 @12:12PM from the big-boss-man dept.

wiredmikey writes "President Barack Obama has nominated a US Navy officer, Vice Admiral Michael Rogers, to take over as head of the embattled National Security Agency, the Pentagon said Thursday. Rogers, 53, would take the helm at a fraught moment for the spy agency, which is under unprecedented pressure after leaks from ex-intelligence contractor Edward Snowden revealed the extent of its electronic spying. If confirmed by lawmakers, Rogers would also take over as head of the military's cyber warfare command. Rogers, who trained as an intelligence cryptologist, would succeed General Keith Alexander, who has served in the top job since 2005. He currently heads the US Fleet Cyber Command, overseeing the navy's cyber warfare specialists, and over a 30-year career has worked in cryptology and eavesdropping, or 'signals intelligence.' His confirmation hearings in the Senate are likely to be dominated by the ongoing debate about the NSA's espionage, and whether its sifting through Internet traffic and phone records violates privacy rights and democratic values."

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rebranded? by Infestedkudzu · 2014-01-30 12:14 · Score: 5, Insightful

Is this what companies do when their product turns out to have lead paint in it or something.
1. Re:rebranded? by edibobb · 2014-01-30 12:43 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  This started long before Obama. The big data collection was almost inevitable because it became possible, economical, and easy to justify in the name of "national security." As long as they could keep it secret with virtually unlimited funding, it would keep growing regardless of who controlled the White House, Congress, or the Supreme Court.
Re:The only acceptable solution... by Zynder · 2014-01-30 13:02 · Score: 5, Insightful

Dude, if they haven't dismantled the TSA, which visibly annoys people day in and day out, by now what even gave you a glimmer of hope it would happen this time? There have been so many opportunities to break up the TSA, repeal the Patriot Act, and all of the other nonsense that's been going but it seems the only person who gave a shit all of these years was Ron Paul. You see how well that went over. The only way you'll see the NSA or TSA dismantled will be when it becomes profitable for those who pay Congress' bills.