In the wake of the disclosure of a massive surveillance program ordered by the Obama Administration of all calls by all citizens using Verizon, there is a new disclosure of an equally large data-mining operation where the government has seized e-mail, photos and other private communications from some of the biggest Internet companies. Even in the wake of the attack on the free press and the surveillance of all citizens in the Verizon scandal, Democratic leaders are rallying around Obama in the rejection of the least remnants of principle in the party. We are now at the tipping point for a free nation as President Obama and leaders like Dianne Feinstein assure citizens that there is nothing to fear in our new fishbowl society.
According to the media reports, the government demanded and received access to nine major firms, including Microsoft, Apple, Google, Yahoo and Facebook under the program called PRISM. The article states that the program has been running since 2007 and has undergone “exponential growth.”
When confronted over the massive government surveillance, Feinstein was dismissive and said “It’s called protecting America”. Others would call it the harbinger to an authoritarian state but Feinstein has long been criticized for her presumed knowledge of the torture program and other abuses of civil liberties.
These programs reveal the creation of huge databanks that can be used to make the movements and associations transparent to the government. After years of apathy and blind loyalty to Obama, these scandals will test whether Americans have any remaining commitment to privacy and civil liberties in the face of the mantra (repeated today by the Administration) that these programs make them safer.
As in the past, Congress has proven a willing participant in the erosion of civil liberties. It will be up to citizens whether we go quietly into this night. As I previously wrote, it is becoming increasingly difficult to call this the “land of the free” as we allow the rise of security state in this country.
By the way, you may remember Obama running for president the first time in the aftermath of reports of the NSA mining Internet communications. He promised voters: “For one thing, under an Obama presidency, Americans will be able to leave behind the era of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and “wiretaps without warrants.” He would now make Richard Nixon blush.
Source: CNN
Bagonit, we fight back.
We find ways to support the growing meshnet movement, for one. The cloud of always-on devices grows by the hour. Now, they are the size of cities, Tomorrow, counties. Soon, the nation. In the future, you will use these nets to get to y our content over a channel secured to you as a person. You will no longer need your ISP.
Stories such as this drive demand for secure meshnets right through the roof. They are on the way.
I urge everyone to find a way to get involved and demand this technology be implemented. Govt does not control the air, and they cannot break strong encryption.
http://projectmeshnet.org
We also stand up loudly in this blog and others and call for the impeachment of those who would shred our privacy.
P.S. to this post above, No one should be forced to take any medical treatment it they do not wish it. I don’t wish to say otherwise and wanted to clarify my post.
Gotta feel kind of sorry for those data-mining slaves at NSA … they have to look at everybody’s dirty toilet … crappy job.
Massive, peaceful citizen protest is one of the few things that will stop this. Congress will not repeal anything and most of the judiciary have folded. The idea that these companies did not involve themselves willingly in this mass surveillance is not believable (take note Libertarians that it isn’t just the govt. who will take control over your life). We should all hark back to ATT’s splitter room, fully known and approved by the company, run by the govt. The name for this is fascism.
Nick, it is unbelievable to me that you think Obama needs a break. This gathered spying info is being presented to him in a meeting at least once a week. I don’t understand how his race, background as a poor youngster, or anything else absolves him of responsibility for his actions.
It really bothers me that you and others try to shield the powerful from accountability for their actions.
It is time to look reality square in the face. All people, of every race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. are responsible for their actions. Unless a person has a disorder that keeps them unable to be accountable, they are to be held to account. In this case, Obama should be impeached.
If you think Obama has a disorder of some kind then he should be given the medical treatment of his choice. He still needs to be impeached for these unlawful actions.
Congress needs to be held to account. The judiciary needs to be held to account and most of all, the secret, deep state govt. in charge of the puppet elected govt. needs to be exposed and brought to trial.
and people think conservatives were racist for saying “I hope he fails”?
The writing was all over that wall. That Patriot Act was a real bad idea and I always figured it would be abused by a democrat.
What Gene H. said.
Dredd, Good link. Feinstein has been on my shitlist for a long time. She’s in the pocket of the California wine lobby, which oppose all cannabis laws. On a voice vote the Queen passed a law making cannabis edibles double the Fed sentencing guidelines under the pretext of “protecting the children.” The real reason is most women don’t like to smoke cannabis, but do like edibles. And, women are the largely untapped cannabis market. Not “sports or movies” so take what I just said w/ a grain of salt.
Bagonit 1, June 7, 2013 at 10:38 am
How are we supposed to stop this, when both parties in Congress are complicit and actively defend these programs?
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There are other parties running candidates for almost every office. Vote for a third party and write Sen. Weyden/Paul/Cruz they are good on civil liberties and Sen Cruz seems to enjoy being the skunk at the picnic.
“As in the past, Congress has proven a willing participant in the erosion of civil liberties. It will be up to citizens whether we go quietly into this night. As I previously wrote, it is becoming increasingly difficult to call this the “land of the free” as we allow the rise of security state in this country.”
Well said. WE THE PEOPLE must take responsibility for allowing this to happen. WE THE PEOPLE must do something to remedy the situation. Congress and the courts will not do it unless WE force them.
Lots of people I know called me crazy when I kept telling them the Patriot Act would come back to bite us all in the behind. Some of them (but not enough unfortunately) are not saying the same thing anymore. We need a groundswell of opposition to the Patriot Act and need to have it repealed.
If you are interested in trying to protect your privacy online, check out the TOR Project. Just duckduckgo.com it. (not google!)
Bagonit 1, June 7, 2013 at 10:38 am
How are we supposed to stop this, when both parties in Congress are complicit and actively defend these programs?
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Bingo.
nick spinelli 1, June 7, 2013 at 10:34 am
Give the guy a break for chrissake. He’s really smart, eloquent, and came from a broken home. He’s trying his best. I think a lot of this vitriol is racist.
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And gender biased.
The Queens of Stalingrad are in on this too after all.
Maybe all this “The Chinese are hacking us daily” is just a pretext?
How are we supposed to stop this, when both parties in Congress are complicit and actively defend these programs?
While it is disturbing, it is not surprising. And if the FISC court approved these data mining operations it is not even illegal. The only way to end this and prevent further erosion is to end the legal authorization for it. The Patriot Act as amended needs to be ripped up and the FISC court needs to be ripped up and replaced with the requirement of a warrant with actual evidence, instead of blanket authorizations or orders to suck up huge amounts of data.
Give the guy a break for chrissake. He’s really smart, eloquent, and came from a broken home. He’s trying his best. I think a lot of this vitriol is racist.
Obama has become the anti-Obama!
We’re too fat and happy, buying iphones and eating cool ranch everything to really give a shit about civil liberties.
All of us need to become more educated in covering our tracks.
I used to laugh at the paranoids who tried to stay below the radar scope – no longer.
I have nothing (or very little – to my embarrassment) to hide, but I resent bureaucrats having the unfettered power to examine my digital life.
I will study up on techniques/assets that can reduce my electronic footprint.
Probably will cost some money, certainly will be a hassle, but I will try to do my little bit to make these violations harder for the government.
Well, this certainly explains the administration’s paranoia over leaks.
This is impeachment worthy.
As if aiding and abetting traitors after the fact wasn’t.