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NSA whistleblowers: Government spying on every single American
The TSA, DHS and countless other security agencies have been established to keep America safe from terrorist attacks in post-9/11 America. How far beyond that does the feds’ reach really go, though?
The attacks September 11, 2001, were instrumental in enabling the US government to establish counterterrorism agencies to prevent future tragedies. Some officials say that they haven’t stopped there, though, and are spying on everyone in America — all in the name of national security.
Testimonies delivered in recent weeks by former employees of the National Security Agency suggest that the US government is granting itself surveillance powers far beyond what most Americans consider the proper role of the federal government.
In an interview broadcast on Current TV’s “Viewpoint” program on Monday, former NSA Technical Director William Binney commented on the government’s policy of blanket surveillance, alongside colleagues Thomas Drake and Kirk Wiebe, the agency’s respective former Senior Official and Senior Analyst.
The interview comes on the heels of a series of speeches given by Binney, who has quickly become better known for his whistleblowing than his work with the NSA. In their latest appearance this week, though, the three former staffers suggested that America’s spy program is much more dangerous than it seems.
In an interview with “Viewpoint” host Eliot Spitzer, Drake said there was a “key decision made shortly after 9/11, which began to rapidly turn the United States of America into the equivalent of a foreign nation for dragnet blanket electronic surveillance.”
These powers have previously defended by claims of national security necessity, but Drake says that it doesn’t stop there. He warns that the government is giving itself the power to gather intel on every American that could be used in future prosecutions unrelated to terrorism.
Concrete Banjo
July 26th, 2012
With Google and Facebook they don’t have to spy, it’s handed to them.
the aardvark
July 26th, 2012
It bloody well figures.
SgtZim
July 26th, 2012
Linking to Spitzer and current tv? Let’s get some beauty tips from Rosanne Barr or parenting advice from NAMBLA…
Lowell
July 26th, 2012
From above: “He warns that the government is giving itself the power to gather intel on every American that could be used in future prosecutions unrelated to terrorism.”
This is a hoot! But it damn sure ain’t news. Tell me just what is inherent in a terrorist (foreign) threat. Dead citizens? Yep. Disruption of society? Maybe. Threat to the existing government? Not at all. Actually, successful attacks allow government to grow and flourish.
We didn’t have Homeland Security before 9/11, likewise TSA. The charter of the NSA got
broadened, but they won’t admit that.
The only threat to the US government is its own citizens, and they know that. They see the actual threat level as small but as they have plenty of money, why not gear up to counter it anyway? Why let the threat grow when they don’t have to?
They’ve already got our permission to feel up your groin for a flight from Denver to Chicago. On a private airline.
What will you give permission for next?
Pickled Liver
July 26th, 2012
The Amerikan Way?
Mel
July 26th, 2012
The blanket ad campaigns of Web MD (prepping info for Obama care), Credit Score.com (info on all your credit cards and balances), and now Ancestry.com (info on all your family connections) are maybe real businesses but maybe collection of useful data.
Mrs. Compton
July 26th, 2012
Not a muzzie on the list I betcha.
BILL
July 26th, 2012
“The attacks September 11, 2001, were instrumental in enabling the US government to establish counterterrorism agencies to prevent future tragedies.”
They had the information to stop sept 11 before sept 11 happened. They didn’t stop it.
Granting them new surveillance powers does nothing to insure prevention of future attacks.
Noelegy
July 26th, 2012
Do you feel any safer? I don’t.
Concrete Banjo
July 26th, 2012
One big happy gulag.
Vote for obama and get a free Verichip and a smart looking ankle bracelet so you won’t ever get lost.
Blink
July 26th, 2012
NSA isn’t alone. I’ve noticed that the DHS, as the EPA before it, recognizes no limits to the areas the are its purview.
DHS has stuck its nose into national debt and natural disasters, such as the recent wind storm that knocked out electric power to millions in several states. Just to name two. Will DHS be designing power grids and regulating trade because trade imbalances are a threat to national security? Or start regulating education because poor educational system is a threat to national security?
With Obama’s attitude of ‘you didn’t build that’ I’ve little doubt in a second term Obama woulc want DHS to expand into other area.
Yet – if DHS were to be consistent they ought to declare the Obama presidency a threat to national security. I suppose if DHS announced that finding they would soon be turned back to doing what they were created to do – hunting down Islamic Jihadist who are working to kill Americans and America.
123321123321
July 26th, 2012
Hey, NSA, I watched this movie about North Korea and when I read this article it made me think of this movie…. http://www.hulu.com/watch/380751
123321123321
July 26th, 2012
Oh yeah, and that movie made me think the thought, “Could this happen in a Godless America?”.
bitterclinger
July 26th, 2012
Sadly, I don’t see a President Romney cutting the EPA, DHS and the rest of the useless bureaucracies of make-work drones.
This is going to be a long slog and we’re going to have to hold feet to the fire — even the much-ballyhooed Allan West, who defends his vote for the NDAA.
Desolation Bro
July 26th, 2012
The bigger the government gets the smaller our freedoms become. They want total control.
Bob M.
July 27th, 2012
Send in the Drones…
fubar
July 27th, 2012
this is an older book but pretty good
http://www.amazon.com/The-Watchers-Americas-Surveillance-State/dp/1594202451
it pretty much squashes any hope i had for a junta