The outrage is palpable and the sudden realization by the average American that they really, truly are now living in a Orwellian surveillance state has been an eye-opening experience for many across the fruited plain. The once mocked conspiracy theories of the all-knowing Big Brother state has shown itself to be far more of an ugly reality than a silly fantasy. He who has called the War on Terror basically over has now been forced to admit that his administration has vastly expanded the concept of the security state in the name of ‘public safety.’ The ‘trust us’ stance of government is no longer a working defense for such actions as this administration, and the federal agencies under its control, have shown that they simply cannot be trusted. Therein lies the true dilemma for the Obama administration as it seeks to calm the rising storm.
We already have proof that powerful agencies of the federal government deliberately, under orders from Washington, harassed and targeted specific people and groups that were ideological opponents of the current administration. The vast powers of the state were used as political weapons against its enemies on a wide scale and possibly affected the outcome of the last presidential election. Such things should not be taken lightly.
The fact that basically every phone call, FB post, internet search,website visit, email written, and picture posted online is being sucked up by Big Brother without regards to privacy concerns, constitutional protections, or the concept of personal liberty goes against everything America should stand for. It is state of affairs that should raise a cry of outrage in every throat and force a fundamental change in what we will tolerate from our government. The fact that leading tech companies including Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, PalTalk, AOL, Skype, YouTube and Apple were participating in a secret surveillance program on the citizenry known as PRISM should (but will not necessarily) lead to a complete collapse of public trust in the current administration and our current concept of government in general. What has not been explained away is why the administration has assembled the most powerful and intrusive systems of surveillance ever conceived. The Founding Fathers would not have stood for such things for one second and neither should we.
Such policies can have a chilling effect on political speech and free speech in general. There are those who argue that liberals have successfully seized the State just as they have academia, education, the media, the entertainment industry and increasingly the military. And this may be just another tool and tactic for those seeking to monitor, track, and eventually silence those who oppose their utopian, socialistic, nanny-state agenda.
Mr. Obama stated “I think it’s important to recognize that you can’t have 100 percent security and also then have 100 percent privacy and zero inconvenience. We’re going to have to make some choices as a society.” But if it comes down to a choice between the two I choose privacy. We should always, always choose a free state over a police state even if the latter provides slightly more security from the random Boston bomber or occasional crazy. As Americans we should not be forced to live with a camera on every pole, a bug in every phone, and an internal security officer on every corner. That illusion of safety in reality then merely becomes the mask for eventual tyranny and oppression in the name of the ‘common good’ and societal safety. For as Ben Franklin put it, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Liberty should be the goal of government, not the antithesis of it. The Republic exists to secure such liberties for its citizens, not to be the opponent of such. We’ve now traveled far down the wrong path and we may have to pay a high price to restore the Republic and regain true liberty for our children, and our children’s children.
Below are a few videos that cover the ‘interesting’ related events of the last week.
Rush Limbaugh: “We are in the Midst of a Coup Taking Place” – Audio 6/7/13
[youtube]http://youtu.be/m2BT8HZoAfs[/youtube]
The Obama IRS Targeting Scandal in Five Minutes – Unbelievable Abuse of Power
[youtube]http://youtu.be/ZSVnat0tvdY[/youtube]
Obama: If you can’t trust us, we’re going to have some problems
[youtube]http://youtu.be/Ibc6QSV5ftw[/youtube]
And frankly, you are right Mr. President. The fact that we can’t trust you, your cronies, the agencies under your control, and the “oversight” of stacked secret courts or the congress who has been complaining, but doing nothing, about such policies means we are going to have some serious “problems.”
How fast can the process of censorship and totalitarian control be implemented, pretty damn fast. I am traveling in Northern California and stopped for lunch in Black Bear Diner. Many businesses offer internet cafes these days, and the power and type varies a great deal among the individual franchises.
I sat down and started browsing my favorite Conservative sites, when my access was turned off because of improper content. I am sure many of our Liberal guests will say I got what I deserve for my choices, FA, Drudge, Luciane, Breitbart with the same hypocrisy they employed when Bush was listening to conversations with people who were in war zones, but find Obama agents listening to every domestic conversation a cost of living in a free society.
I told the waitress, I will tune in on my sites using my phone as a hotspot and it will be the last time I ever visit a Black Bear Diner. Obama will have plenty of willing helpers who will jump at the chance to stifle resistance, but the best way to resist tyranny is with our wallets.
Using Your Cell Phone? Remember Obama Is Listening!
Better Government Through Totalitarian Control: It’s The Obama Way
What’s happening is that all digital traffic is being screened and analysed by automated computer systems that search for suspicious patterns and connections. The process doesn’t reveal detailed content—only what requires closer attention. For that closer attention, authorization is required. Congress set up the guidelines in 2008.
If the extent of the traffic analysis comes as a shocking revelation to anyone, they haven’t been paying much attention. The background information has been public knowledge for at least 5 years. The implications have been openly discussed on the internet and in print. The only thing that has changed is that a former CIA employee has stepped into the media spotlight and summarized what was already known. He says his greatest fear is that nothing will be done as a result of his story.
So, what should be done? Would anyone prefer that the U.S. government not be using the best technology available to analyze electronic communications looking for patterns and clues concerning terrorist activities?
Rep. Elijah Cummings thinks enough has been done to totally rehabilitate the IRS.
He tried to declare an end to Congressional hearings by claiming ”the case is solved.”
Odd, too, because, during those hearings Cummings acted truly outraged by the acts of IRSagency.
Who gave him new marching orders and forgot to let him have a transition period?
BTW, I’m not entirely sure about Edward Snowden’s motives, and even less certain concerning his judgement. Announcing that you’re an overflowing cornucopia of information about the nation’s most secret computer systems and CIA operations, stating that you’ll probably never be able to return to the United States, and then hurrying off to Southeast Asia might not be the best move in the world—unless, of course, you’re looking to make new friends.
All this silence and lying reminds of “A Few Good Men”
“You can’t handle the truth!” These words could very well have been spoken by Clapper, Holder or Obama himself:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+jack+nicholson+you+can't+handle+the+truth&mid=2686AFBD4B8B81FF0D782686AFBD4B8B81FF0D78&view=detail&FORM=VIRE4
Especially after the famous quote. Listen to the rationale. Sound familiar?
Jessep: You can’t handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who’s gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago’s death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives…You don’t want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.
We use words like honor, code, loyalty…we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use ’em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I’d rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you’re entitled to!
http://www.whysanity.net/monos/fewgood.html
Can you hear Obama saying it? Attitude and all.
@Skookum: #1,
While few will disagree with you Skook, almost none will actually do so. Resistance with wallets is too inconvenient.
The result will be a continuation of the abuse and invasion into the most private corners of our lives.
Google, Facebook and Microsoft are at the top of the list of organizations whose massive server banks have tracked and retained both ‘thought’ and ‘action’ information which is being used by the federal government.
If I were Yahoo’s CEO, I’d jump on this chance to do the right thing right, very publicly – slamming Google and Facebook in particular, into the dirt. These companies are helping the violation of more rights than the Patriot Act ever intended. This is how totalitarian regimes are created.
Question to those who depend on big government’s generosity, and support this assault:
Even if you need the handouts for your own survival, do you really believe that allowing this deluge of intrusion into your own life will serve to benefit your children’s and your grandchildren’s successful progress in life or encourage them to actualize their dreams and aspirations?
@Greg: I haven’t seen the complete Snowden interview, so I can only rely on the little snippets I have seen on FOX News and CBS. That said, here’s my take on all of this. Snowden owning the leak gives him more credibility than being an “anonymous source”, it also gives him a little protection from suddenly disappearing off the face of the earth. Hauling ass out of the US also makes sense, and I am sure he’s smart enough that he carefully picked out where to go and for how long.
From the little snippets I heard, his motivation sounds honorable, and he knew he was taking a great risk yet felt motivated by his strength of principle. He also must be aware of the treatment given to “whistleblowers” by the Obama regime, and decided that wasn’t going to offer him any protection either. He’s in a lose-lose situation, I give him some credibility based on the fact that he really has nothing to gain and all to lose by speaking out, and he had to know that from the beginning.
I had to laugh at Rep. King on TV this morning saying Snowden couldn’t have had all that access, because that would be illegal… like sneaking into the country muling some dope? Like driving while intoxicated? Like murder? All those things are illegal too, yet happen every day with a lot less at stake.
Obama, like many Dems probably wishes Maxine Waters (Dem – idiot) would have stayed off his side…..
During an interview with Roland Martin on TV One, Waters praised the President for putting together a campaign database that has information “about everything on every individual.”
“And that database will have information about everything on every individual in ways that it’s never been done before,” Waters said, referring to President Obama’s Organizing for America.
“I think some people are missing something here,” Waters said.
“The president has put in place an organization that contains a kind of database that no one has ever seen before in life,” she added. “That’s going to be very, very powerful.”
“And that database will have information about everything on every individual in ways that it’s never been done before.”
Waters said the database would also serve future Democratic candidates seeking the presidency.
“He’s been very smart,” Waters said of Obama. “I mean it’s very powerful what he’s leaving in place.”
Video:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=49a_1360284775
Have we somehow missed the fact that Colonel Jessup was a lunatic?
I agree 100%, Greg.
IF Snodwen wan’t looking to pick an American enemy to GIVE the rest of what he knows to, he is certainly in danger of being grabbed off the street and FORCED to give up that information.
Back here he is looking at jail time.
But, North Korea, Communist China, Russia, many of its ex-SSR’s and other non-state groups like al Qaeda would ALL love to get their mitts on this guy.
And I bet their practices to extract information is a whole lot worse than putting panties on his head!
Snowden might have studied a bit of history before making his move.
Like for instance, the liberal state of Netherlands and its 180′ on very progressive member of Parliament Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
She was voted the ”politician of the year,” one year but the next year they were withdrawing her citizenship and forcing her out of Holland.
Iceland is Snowden’s hope.
I wonder if he’ll make it to that country.
I also wonder if they can afford to protect him from his many new enemies/friends.
Netherlands got tired of paying for the 24/7/365 armed protection Ayaan Hirsi Ali needed.
They dumped her out.
So explain why the Tsarnaevs were not caught beforehand,even when flagged by the Russians.Then explain how Obama took down Petraeus with illegal surveillance.This is the government our forefathers warned us about.
@Scott in Oklahoma, #7:
I really don’t know what to think about Snowdon. He speaks well enough, but he knows what will resonate with current anti-government or anti-administration sentiment. It crossed my mind that he has cast himself in a rather heroic, self-sacrificing role. He might be playing the starring role in his own internal movie.
If he were military, or a federal employee of the CIA, he would have broken an oath and betrayed a trust. Since he was the employee of a private contractor, it’s probably a matter of having violated the provisions of an employment agreement.
To Hussein Obama, Feinstein, Harry Reid, Eric Holder and many, many others … READ THIS AND WEAP:
Amendment IV
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
City governments cannot change the above. County governments cannot change the above. Regional and state governments cannot change the above. And guess what. The Congress and Supreme Court, or any judge or court, cannot (I say can not!) change the above. That is, not without changing the Constitution in a manner prescribed by the Constitution of the United States of America.
So, judges have ruled, Congress has passed “laws”, and President’s have issued edicts regarding obfuscation and attempts at subversion of the above; but NONE of THAT can nor will change the wording and the straight forward meaning of the 4th Amendment. People, even those who choose to willingly give up this right, have the right to be secure in their “persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizure”. And, because some give up the 4th Amendment rights does not mean others do or have to do the same.
To those who feel subversive when they speak of giving up this right, or forcing others to do so, remember this: 1) you, individually have the right to waive this right, but 2) you do not have the right to take this right away from others, no matter what.
There is a process by which the Constitution can be changed or modified. Until that happens, we have all agreed to agree on the Bill of Rights as the highest law of the land. And, no punkish attitudes or platitudes of president, judges and lawmakers can take these rights away from the people without a formal alteration of the Constitution. None.
Thus, the government of the United States, the President of the United States and others are in criminal violation of the rights of the people; rights which are guaranteed to them by the Constitution when the government chooses to spy on innocent Americans.
Consider this also: If we have to give up the rights (freedom of speech, assembly, the 4th Amendment rights, etc.), then we don’t have to fight terrorists. We have already lost. We give these rights up as if they were taken away from us in a fight. We are no longer free. But truth be told, we do not have to give up our rights, but need to fight to keep them.
Regarding illicit spying and covert collection of data, what needs to happen is this: The government needs to go back to the drawing board and come up with radical militant-fighting tactics that don’t violate anyone’s rights. We don’t discard Miranda rights because police think they can get more out of a criminal punk by beating the heck out of him. Courts often throw out evidence that was obtained without a warrant. Why? Because it’s the law. Police can no more violate the law than the criminals.
If you haven’t noticed, it is Obama’s socialistic goal to entrap people in a plan of socialism. He is asking to violate the rights to bear arms, to be free from unreasonable searches, to not respect the religious beliefs of religious organizations and refuses to authorize oil pipelines in America so that we will be subject to oil importation from his fellow Muslim nations. How much money do you think goes to OPEC countries for oil we get? Obama is a Muslim, not Christian at all. He protects the Black Panthers, promotes abortion in America, and does much more corruption with the IRS, NSA, CIA and other organizations than Nixon did.
When all of Obama’s mischievous behavior comes into the light, you will see that his spying, coupled with the Affordable Health Insurance Act (much, too much control of people) is in effect, Obama’s plan will come to fruition. Government forced control of all American’s lives. That’s why people want to get Obama out and get Obama care out.
Obama is always in the shadow of criminal and corrupt activities in America.
@Greg: Or maybe he IS what he says he is, I guess time will tell. I haven’t fully formed my opinion yet, still waiting for more information.
I know you’re big Obama fan, but have you ever considered, even for a moment, that all of the things we conservatives have been warning people about, the fears we have expressed and the things we have brought up might be legitimate and true? Just curious, as I am very careful about expressing my views, thoughts and opinions, and the formation of my opinions is a very deliberate and thought out act in which I weigh out as much information as I can obtain, from all sides, before coming to my conclusions and opinions. That process made me a pretty good detective.
@Greg: This or something comparable is most likely what he would have signed. A military person or government employee would be subject up to 10 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine for violating a non-disclosure agreement.
http://www.usgs.gov/contracts/acq_opp/EROS_tech_library/TSSC%20Recompete/ATTACHMENT_D.pdf
No doubt, he would have signed one of these as well.
http://www.usa-federal-forms.com/usa-fedforms-sf/sf-312-nonfillable.pdf
@Skookum: We all know Joseph Heller’s paranoia quote.
A couple more “Hungary Joe collected lists of fatal diseases and arranged them in alphabetical order
so that he could put his finger without delay on any one he wanted to worry about.”
” I don’t believe in miracles because it’s been a long time since we’ve had any.”
Thank goodness there’s no Black Bear Diners down here in So Cal. Scary stuff. Semper Fi
Rich, BBD are fairly popular in the NW. Although it may sound trivial and it might have been a technical error, we conservatives are a little touchy about our rights after the IRS revelations. If someone shuts down my Internet service on their modem because of my content, they have that ability, but I have the option to eat elsewhere. It is a free service, meant to create goodwill among customers and although I am working and traveling in Liberalville, I am sure there are a few traveling conservatives who will have the same experience. Perhaps I should ask you Rich, would you are any of your friends shut down a man’s Internet because he was tuning in Conservative pages. I know you are business Savvy and would not be so ignorant, but how many ideologues might feel they were making a point. Realistically his results were counter productive, because the Shasta BBD will now lose business and you know how Marines are when you piss them off. So much for influencing me, and it was all for nothing, since it only took twenty seconds to switch to my personal hot spot after I was informed of my inappropriate sites.
I am traveling hard and fast , so responses are not predictable and being sent on a phone.
@Greg: A very well reasoned and cogent response. Good job.
@Skookq: Did they tell you they shut down your service because you were watching Conservative sites? My guess is they could care less if you watch Drudge or Daily Kos.
Semper Fi
http://en.ria.ru/russia/20130611/181607633/Russia-May-Consider-US-Spy-Leakers-Asylum-RequestMedia.html
Looks like this idiot Snowden might end up tortured by the Russians…..
Tortured……or perhaps he will willingly give the Russians whatever else he knows.
If you called him a ”hero,” get ready to scrap egg off your face.
Rich, the message came up on my screen after surfing through a number of sites. “Your service is being revoked for violation of the agreement”. Hmmm, what would you think if you we’re me. In less than three strides, I was up and running. I tried again before leaving, but they still had me blocked.
I think a manager was taking his political convictions too seriously. Yes, a sane rational person should care less what I am viewing, within reason, that is logical, but logic often eludes the ideologue.
@Skookq: I am not a paranoid person (evidence use of my real name) which doesn’t mean I’m not being watched (Heller)lol
Some here say left is worse than right, Don’t buy it. Paranoia stems from an inner fear, Possibly a shortage of self confidence.
If that manager was spying you oughta get him fired. Don’t think it’s got ANYTHING to do with left and right.
That is paranoia.
@Greg:
No doubt Greg you would support closer examination screening for such content as: TEA Party, patriot, freedom, liberty, Constitution, Bill of Rights, founding fathers, 2nd Amendment rights, Patrick Henry, Thomas Pain, don’t tread on me, Molon Labe, nobama, promise keepers, oath keepers, impeach Obama…
I suspect that you Greg, that would get your panties in a bunch were they screening and alerting on keywords and phrases such as; Muslim, Islam, union members, SEIU, atheists, planned parenthood, Mohammad, occupy, Greenpeace, Sierra Club, ELF, NAMBLAand other far-left aligned keywords/phrases.
Richard Wheeler
you are describing yourself
PARANOIAC,
not these CONSERVATIVES they are very normal with a superior IQ than yours,
but they are classy and tolerant for the one who insult them,
they have other things to do than answer you.
that’s where I come in.
BLACK BEAR DINNER SHOULD BE EXPOSE FOR CUTTING A CONSERVATIVE INTERNET,
THEY SHOULD BE REPORT TO THE WEB ADMINISTRATOR as favoring one party by
cutting the other one,
WHAT A CREEP PLACE TO EAT,
CUT THEM UP AS THEY DO.
return the favor.
@Greg:
That’s the way it is supposed to work. There has been a word thrown around by the press the last few days……conflate. Combining two or more issues into one. That is what is happening now.
First, if congressional guidelines authorized the collection of all phone records from all carriers (or even one), this is the first I have heard of it. And while I’m not totally against the collection of meta-data for the purposes of security, it should be pretty understandable why I and many others are worried in the current political atmosphere. The IRS and EPA are under scrutiny right now for targeting political groups.
I’m not saying this as a left vs. right issue. This is an us vs. them issue; them being the political elites. The federal government is out of control. Not the conservative federal government or the liberal federal government…..THE federal government. The left is concerned when the right has the executive branch and the right is concerned when the left has it. That’s a problem. No one should be concerned.
President Obama said it perfectly, and I paraphrase. “If the people don’t trust the executive branch, the congress, or the judiciary, we have a problem.”
We have a problem.
Aqua wrote… “This is an us vs. them issue; them being the political elites. The federal government is out of control. Not the conservative federal government or the liberal federal government…..THE federal government. The left is concerned when the right has the executive branch and the right is concerned when the left has it. That’s a problem. No one should be concerned.
President Obama said it perfectly, and I paraphrase. “If the people don’t trust the executive branch, the congress, or the judiciary, we have a problem.”
We have a problem. ”
That was worth repeating, and that’s the part liberals don’t seem to understand. They are more about getting and keeping power over others for themselves while we are not. That cuts to the heart of the discussion.
@Scott in Oklahoma:
So very true.
I made a couple of comments earlier to the effect that Edward Snowden hasn’t actually revealed anything more than what was already public knowledge.
It looks as if I might have spoken too soon.
Here are the first 5 slides of the PowerPoint presentation he circulated. There are a total of 41. The media—showing a highly atypical degree of restraint—has so far refrained from making the remainder public:
What’s in the Rest of the Top-Secret NSA PowerPoint Deck?
There are some specific details here. Who knows what might be in the rest? Whatever it might be, it has apparently worried the media enough to bring them up short.
Lindsey Graham Speaks from his heart:
Graham: ‘If I Thought Censoring the Mail Was Necessary, I Would Suggest It’
Lindsey has shown us the dirty, hidden “ends justifies the means” tyranny that resides in his soul. This is the secret ugly side of establishment RINOs they rarely want us to know about. “Why can’t you ungrateful little peons understand that we the elite know what is best for you?”
It is simple Mr. Graham, it is because, free people jealously love their rights, and you were not put in office to abridge them. In fact, you swore an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution which safeguards our rights. Folks, we need to work very hard to remove each and every one of these faithless oath breakers from office regardless of their party affiliation.
Ditto
they do reveal themselves, we must take note of it and put a x to their names
is a good way to begin now that we hear their frenzy intent and show their fear,
remembering they where also targeted in their big house by air,
it’s a matter of time that the OBAMA DRONES come back to the OWNER who sent it,
not to the INNOCENT people who have no say in their decisions anymore,
because the LEADER has INTEGRATED the hordes CARRYING HATE into AMERICA own soil,
TO kill the ROOTS OF REAL AMERICANS,
half the American people approve of the way Obama is doing his job. That is 2 times as many as when Bush was at his lowest.