NSA won't say if it is "spying" on Congress
Congress is just like everyone else. That's the message the National Security Agency has for Sen. Bernie Sanders.
The independent senator from Vermont sent a letter to the agency Friday, asking whether it has or is "spying" on members of Congress and other elected American officials.
The NSA provided a preliminary response Saturday that said Congress has "the same privacy protections as all U.S. persons."
"NSA's authorities to collect signals intelligence data include procedures that protect the privacy of U.S. persons. Such protections are built into and cut across the entire process. Members of Congress have the same privacy protections as all U.S. persons," said the agency in a statement obtained by CNN.
The response goes on to promise the agency will continue to work with Congress on the issues - without ever addressing the senator's real question.
Sanders defines "spying" in his letter as "gathering metadata on calls made from official or personal phones, content from websites visited or e-mails sent, or collecting any other data from a third party not made available to the general public in the regular course of business."
The NSA would say nothing more, except that it is further reviewing the letter.
"We will continue to work to ensure that all Members of Congress, including Sen. Sanders, have information about NSA's mission, authorities, and programs to fully inform the discharge of their duties," read the statement.
Attorney General Eric Holder similarly deflected answering the same question at a congressional hearing last summer, telling Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Illinois, that the NSA had no "intent" to spy on Congress, but the issue was better discussed in private.
The intelligence community has faced heated criticism from the right and left in 2013 after Edward Snowden's leaks, and the intensity has continued fiercely in 2014.
On Thursday, the New York Times and the Guardian published scathing editorials that slammed the "violations" Snowden's leaks revealed and advocated a presidential pardon for him.
Among those charges was the notion that James Clapper Jr., the director of National Intelligence, lied to Congress while testifying last March that the NSA was not collecting data on millions of Americans.
National Intelligence was quick to push back, with a letter to the editor from by general counsel Robert Litt, published in the New York Times on Saturday.
"As a witness to the relevant events and a participant in them, I know that allegation is not true," writes Litt, explaining that Clapper misunderstood the question, but couldn't publicly correct his mistake "because the program involved was classified."
"This incident shows the difficulty of discussing classified information in an unclassified setting and the danger of inferring a person's state of mind from extemporaneous answers given under pressure."
Litt said that Clapper was "surprised and distressed" when he was informed by staff that he gave a misleading answer after the testimony.
CNN's Evan Perez contributed to this report.
@natlsecuritycnn on Twitter
Money is less valuable than information. By collecting info they can dig up real information that is damning, or fabricate it and plant it in their databases. Then use it against you if you do not cooperate. They can get whatever they want. Money, trade agreements, construction contracts, weapons contracts, oil contracts, political decisions, foreign policy decisions. Everything.
Who do you think developed the technology? Israel. Just like drones etc. The Israelis tell the US that it is their ally and will help them in every way possible, including transfer and co-development of technology, however the tech transfers are trojan horses. They use their capabilities to influence politicians. Why else do you think that the US has vetoed the vast majority if not 100% of every UN resolution? Why else do you think the US gives Israel, a developed country equivalent to any other European country if not better, billions of american dollars each year. More than any other ally or any developing country drastically needing aid. Israel is not in a strategically important location, it does not provide us access to any important waterways like the Suez Canal which is in Egypt, or the Red Sea or Persian Gulf. Land wise it's useless as well. Resource wise, its tiny. So what is the strategic importance? Zilch!
What the US gets from Israel is what Israel forces the US to want. Info on mid-eastern countries. The US doesn't need the Israel to develop relationships or protect interests (oil production and transport) in the mid-east. The US is more than capable in doing that on its own since its a superpower. Some argue that the US gets tech from Israel. You really think that the US cant develop whatever tech it requires with our vast resources? The tech we get from Israel serves Israeli interests much much more than ours. The US-Israeli relationship is lopsided with benefits heading in one direction, towards Israel.
I am NOT an anti-semite, it doesn't matter if Israel was a nation of jews or a nation of chinese. The point is that the US is being led like a dog on a leash by a country that doesn't care about our interests or how best to achieve those interests. It's time Americans wake up and recognize what is going on and put an end to this.
There's nothing impossible, illogical, or unrealistic about what I said. There will be people that claim this is a conspiracy theory and its crazy. But they are trying to hide the truth, they want society to immediately dismiss this crazy ramblings and not actually listen and think and recognize what is happening. The fact is that there ARE secret agencies, there ARE secret capabilities, the technology DOES exist, we know corruption DOES exist, we know that blackmail DOES happen.
I am a secular Jew, but I am an American first. Why should Israel be allowed to routinely violate the Geneva convention, the Nuclear Arms Non Proliferation Treaty, the War Crimes Act, and all manner of international convention regarding human rights?
We crush countries that develop nuclear weapons, but we help Israel to develop nuclear ICBM's with MIRV's.
Israel brazenly murdered many American Sailors on the USS Liberty in 1967.. A Russian warship was on hand filming the attack or the Liberty would surely have been sunk and the survivors machine gunned by the attacking aircraft and warships, as so many of their shipmates were..
Why do we call Israel an ally? They clearly do not have our national interests in mind. Why do they require many billions of our money for weapons of mass destruction when millions of our children go to bed hungry in America?
They are a rich country thanks in no small part to our many, many sacrifices on their behalf.
I'm curious. The NSA reports their spying activities to Congress. If they're spying on Congress, who are they reporting these activities to?
They should and better be spying on congress. whats fair for us should be fair for them.but they're a do nothing congress anyways so what are they seeing? Besides them doing nothing? He's just mad because the crooks might get blackmailed by a CIA AGENT for selling out jobs to another country and the treasonous consequences.
Why hasn't anyone brought up General Petreus? It seems to me his disgrace (out of marriage affair) leading to his resignation which was determined through his email accounts had to have been through NSA records. I just seems a coincidence the this was leaked to the public just after he expressed his criticism of the handling of the Benghazi embassy attacks.
Congress beware, anyone out of favor from the White House just beware, dirt will be made whenever it is to the advantage of those in power in the White House. The NSA searches are already on for those in Congress who will be running for election this fall.
Of course they are spying on Congress. Why do you think the Patriot act was passed in the first place? To dig up political dirt and retain power. Obama was a lackey to relieve the pressure built up by the G.W.B/cheney administration bilking the american people. They found someone willing to play ball and leave the system in place and rip to shreds any other candidate with their information gathering. We are being played by the politicians and the NSA, time to cut back this gross repression of privacy.
They won't say , paramount to an admission in my book.
media is government control as well you only hear see know what they want that's why things classified. moves music religion technology I pod phone computer's Facebook is a way to see how your day was. stop fighting each other people and fight the common enemy people who desire power to oppress you
the same reason this whole debate is going on the Government's job is to control install fear and oppress the people.
Of course we would get a life term in prison that is fear for political power. Even if he did get the same punishment as you or I he would never serve it the Government is corrupt. They don't care what we think because we still belivie that we elected them and they are in the service of the people. we are expendable that's why they use words like Terrorism or
Terrorism the definition of those words = Government when the people are not afraid they make 9-11 happen 3,000 they don't they murdered millions of people in the middle east for their own personal greed Kerry was the first person to come back for Vietnam stating that American soldiers were baby killers so when they got home people hate them Lyndon B Johnson sent 1,000's of troops in to a slaughter and he didn't blink an eye Kerry got pulled out of Vietnam because his daddy was in politics the same reason he is money you know power and control
Thank you, open your eyes. You took the words right out of my mouth!
anytime
cnn.com censors posts here, so you are reading only what cnn whats you to read; don't trust cnn any more than you do nsa
Quite true Oregone, quite true indeed. All the media organizations here in America are right-wing, with Fox News being more right-wing than the rest. This is the way the politicians in Washington like it!!!
CNN...right wing????Do you even know what right or left wing actually is? Please provide evidence of this preposterous allegation!!!
That's easy, georgefallon. Did you ever hear CNN or any other right-wing news people condemn any of those ungodly drone attacks on the people in either Afghanistan or Pakistan? And when did any of these people ever make an unfavorable report on either Anwar Sadat or Hosni Mubarak in Egypt? Never! Moreover, when did any of them ever report that we're paying off the so-called "Sons of Iraq" aka the Awakening Council? Enough said!
We are all free to say what we want about the NSA but the end result is this...The government does not care what the average American citizen thinks about anything the NSA does or does not do because they will do what they want as long as Congress lets them..Our only power is the vote but the politicians always lie about what they are going to do about anything and once elected they do nothing...So all you rhetoric hounds of a particular party keep on ranting they dont care...Once you realize this you will quit praising one party over another and start looking at the man himself and see if he is a sell out or a real hero.
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One can NOT detect whether he is being snooped.
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Therefore one can NOT detect whether he is NOT being snooped.
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It is NOT the function nor the duty of ANY third party to insure that you are NOT being snooped - It is solely YOUR responsibility to see to that !
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There ARE means (not very convenient) to absolutely guard the content of your messages from anyone, including the NSA.
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Those who are seriously concerned with being or NOT being snooped are likely up to some activities financially, politically or socially inimical to the rest of us. . Fortunately, they tend to self-identify themselves !
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Bull!
Clapper committed perjury!
If you or I did that same crime we'd be given a stiff sentence.
Why is Clapper above the law?
What makes HIM so special?
Our legal system isn't supposed to play favorites, but it obviously is.
Our system is broken!
the same reason this whole debate is going on the Government's job is to control install fear and oppress the people.
Of course we would get a life term in prison that is fear for political power. Even if he did get the same punishment as you or I he would never serve it the Government is corrupt. They don't care what we think because we still belivie that we elected them and they are in the service of the people. we are expendable that's why they use words like Terrorism or
Terrorism the definition of those words = Government when the people are not afraid they make 9-11 happen 3,000 they don't they murdered millions of people in the middle east for their own personal greed Kerry was the first person to come back for Vietnam stating that American soldiers were baby killers so when they got home people hate them Lyndon B Johnson sent 1,000's of troops in to a slaughter and he didn't blink an eye Kerry got pulled out of Vietnam because his daddy was in politics the same reason he is money you know power and control
" Have you stopped beating your wife yet ?" . What answer did Congress expect ?
Congress has the same protection we do...Play Ball!
Completely out of control.
...a truly accurate description of Congress ...
tet1953
I don't want a Christian theocracy any more than I want an Islamic theocracy.
January 5, 2014 at 9:46 am |
why not that's what America was found on and intended for you fool and if your not for God or Jesus Christ then you can only be for a sure fire what to hell think about this way what happens when we die if nothing happens then we should all fear it. I don't because my faith in the lord is much stronger then my fear of dying. The Jews have been said to be gods people and he will protect them. Jerusalem has been surround by it enemies for thousands of years yet it still stands why?
gardnerlyndon457@yahoo.com
oooogaaaaa boooogaaaah!
Lyndon's god of unconditional love is going to fry us "fools" in hell if we all don't believe as he does. Sounds like a theocratic agenda to me.
umm hate to burst your bubble, but Israel hasn't been standing for thousands of years. Israel was created in the 1940s. Muslims controlled since they defeated the Romans until the 1940s. No matter how hard you try you will never recreate history.
I bet NSA spies on itself.
Everyone has dirt. The Pandora's Box has been opened.
"The NSA provided a preliminary response Saturday that said Congress has "the same privacy protections as all U.S. persons."
yea NONE!!!!
Why should congress and senate or the white house be exempt from their own laws? If Snowden can work as a spy after back ground investigations. Is it so far from possibility that members or our elected positions would engage in treason? Look at Benghazi. At the top they know the hard realities of everything from our finances to weapons controls. We have been lied to by the top echelons in the belief that the people can not handle the truth. We are lied to by candidates for office in every election. Hitlers only mistake was that he built the camps after the war began. That is how he lost. The US has built FEMA camps. They are in place under the umbrella of disaster. While I would like to blindly believe that it could not happen here history tells a different story.
They shouldn't be but their is a lot more then Fema camps going on total control
Terrorism definition the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims. key word is politics.
Terrorist definition a person who uses terrorism in the pursuit of political aims. hmmm I believe yet an other key word is politics
oppression definition prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control.
rebellion definition an act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler.
everything Terrorist related comes back to a government sounding word to me and happens to be politics CJ
oh yeah the government doesn't spy on its people just like they didn't kill thousands of innocent people with drone attacks.
just like how some people may believe in conspiracy.
kind of why military takes more then 50 years to declassify classification such as how and when Osama bin was killed just in time for reelection time of Obama bin laden. got back in the race.
Fact the CIA funded Al Qaeda and supplied them with money weapons trained them to use gorilla warfare
Well of course it does, this is obama we are talking about.
It's an Obama Nation
Bush started all this crapp and if Obama would have tried to stop all this he would have been hung from the highest tree in Washington for doing it. Republicans would have jumped on him saying he was weak on terrorism and shouldn't stop it. People are dammed if they do and dammed if they don't. Republicans are the political group who fight to spend billions on our war machine and call anyone who doesn't go along with them weak. It's always everyone's fault for what happens in Washington when it comes to things like this. Just because someone's a President doesn't mean they can stop everything they want when they want. Apathy is a politicians best friend so use your voice and computer to voice your opinion to your representative's. When your politicians do things you don't like write them never stop using your voice against the political machine in Washington and your state. Being silent gives them the OK to do what ever they want.
Wow
WOW!!! I don't believe that I have ever witnessed on line someone so completely indoctrinated with the Party propaganda. I pray to God that there are not too many of you out there. Scary sociopathic trend.
They spy on Congress.
And they spy for Congress.
It will be impossible to find a champion to rein in the NSA within the government.
This country was founded on God and Your Freedom
Guess what freedom isn't free
now we took God out of the picture and people are being striped of their rights disarming American's for total control
and God taken from any and all Government standings why what did they wasn't us to pledge of allegiance too Them because they think are more powerful then the almighty
I don't want a Christian theocracy any more than I want an Islamic theocracy.
why not that's what America was found on and intended for you fool and if your not for God or Jesus Christ then you can only be for a sure fire what to hell think about this way what happens when we die if nothing happens then we should all fear it. I don't because my faith in the lord is much stronger then my fear of dying. The Jews have been said to be gods people and he will protect them. Jerusalem has been surround by it enemies for thousands of years yet it still stands why?
Which god? Yours? Mine? His? Hers? Wall Street's? Which one bud? Many of the people most often quoted by folks like you, the so called "Founding Fathers", did not believe in your god.
"This country was founded on God and Your Freedom" B.S.
Terrorism definition the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims. key word is politics.
Terrorist definition a person who uses terrorism in the pursuit of political aims. hmmm I believe yet an other key word is politics
oppression definition prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control.
rebellion definition an act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler.
everything Terrorist related comes back to a government sounding word to me and happens to be politics CJ
oh yeah the government doesn't spy on its people just like they didn't kill thousands of innocent people with drone attacks.
just like how some people may believe in conspiracy.
kind of why military takes more then 50 years to declassify classification such as how and when Osama bin was killed just in time for reelection time of Obama bin laden. got back in the race.
Fact the CIA funded Al Qaeda and supplied them with money weapons trained them to use gorilla warfare
Just like Lee Harvey Oswald was a Russian SPY and assassinate Kennedy just before Kennedy could stop the Vietnam war
NSA SPIES ON EVERYONE including Congress. and the President. It is time to Slay the Dragon and cut off its head.
Someone needs to spy on Congress (besides Israel) and report directly to the American people! We vote these people into office to serve us, then they go their merry way and lie to us!
Spying on Congress would be a good thing! None of them work for us US citizens anymore. I would support the NSA spying on Congress IF they publicly publish their findings! Our Congress is no longer representatives of "the people"! First they sign the "Norquist pledge", then an "AIPC" pledge, then a "Koch" pledge! We, "normal" citizens don't stand a chance in our supposedly "representative democracy"! No matter who we vote for!
Collect data about "us"...congress? You can't do that, after all, we've done nothing wrong...or right...or at all!
I'm thinking that if the answer to the question was "no," then that can be covered with one word. "No." But a long winded, ambiguous, legalese answer that points to "national security" as a reason for its brevity can only mean "yes." What a country.
Quies custodiet ipsos custodes?
Hmm, I hope someone leaks information about what Congress members and other elected officials are doing. I say what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. Suk it up Congress you created this agency and funded it so too bad. We have to make sure there are no "terrorist" in Congress.
The danger here is that knowledge about the private acts of individual members could lead to subtle pressure (read blackmail) on those members to backup the NSA and other agencies when the public demands accountability.
Congress deserves no special treatment. If the NSA monitors our phone calls, they better monitor those of Congressmen. Next Congress is going to complain that they have to pay taxes like the commonfolk too.....
How much of the mined data used for Obama's election and subsequent policies?
Right. I am sure the NSA has nothing better to do than get involved in politics. If they did it is more likely they would support a hawk like Romney. Then again, if they helped Obama defeat Mitt Money then that would be protecting the country more than spying on the public appears to have done.
Coming soon to a city near you: 7500 domestic drones. This is the stuff of Gestapo wet dreams, we allow it, we deserve it. Stop voting D and R and stat voting in more I's and L's if you want this to stop. There was a dream that was once a free country, not anymore.
Right on,
Spying on congress would be like a wiretap on the mafia.
Spying on Congress would be a good thing! None of them work for us US citizens anymore. I would support the NSA spying on Congress IF they publicly publish their findings! Our Congress is no longer representatives of "the people"! First they sign the "Norquist pledge", then an "AIPC" pledge, then a "Koch" pledge! We, "normal" citizens don't stand a chance in our supposedly "representative democracy"! No matter who we vote for!
Nazi Germany had a "National Security Agency" too they were called The Gestapo. They did the same thing too, Label, Hunt Down, and Execute political dissidents.
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Benjamin Franklin.
Gestapo is old Nazi Germany's state police enforcing Nazi Laws and rule much like the Police departments in our cites enforcing law only on citizens why control
where did these laws come from congress
I never fully realized how stupid I was until I took an employment exam for the NSA.
We all know the answer to that question.
Hard to belive such professionals could have produced such amateurish birth certificate fake
The National Snoop Agency does not "SPY" – only "SNOOP" fopr terrorists – and does not discriminate against the common person, treating them the same way that they treat Politicians..
A non-story created 100% by the media.
I'm waiting to see who the first person is to claim that NSA
is withholding a cure for cancer, is operated by aliens or
invented the Easter bunny.
if NSA were as good as everyone seems to believe then
there'd be no terrorists, no people dead from acts of terrorism
and universal world peace would be the order of the day.
Any of that happened yet? Hmmm.....regrettably at some point
we'll all need to come back to earth. NSA is an intelligence agency,
they spy on people. They've existed in one form or another since
1917. It is astonishing that people have suddenly discovered what
the US intelligence community does. Essentially, working to keep the
next plane from flying into the next building.
For those of you who feel that planes flying into buildings is the price
of freedom there are nearly 3,000 families who are waiting for your
letters explaining why their love ones died on 9/11 for you.
So get those letters written and explain that they died so that NSA can't
find out who cheated on their taxes or wives, who cross-dresses or who
has a secret dislike of cats and dogs. Frankly, NSA doesn't know nor care
about any of this because contrary to what self-absorbed, selfish and self-centered
Americans like to believe "NSA's just not that into you!"
I believe the NSA was created to help save American lives. I am just not sure how much freedom and privacy we need to give up for safety.
They died because if the president does it, it is legal.
9/11 was an inside job, the evidence shows that the president did it with the help of his top advisors and intelligence operators, BUT because the president did it, it is legal and therefore it will NEVER be seriously investigated.
If you do not approve of this situation, I suggest you call for Obama's impeachment and vote for Green Party candidates.
Terrorism definition the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims. key word is politics.
Terrorist definition a person who uses terrorism in the pursuit of political aims. hmmm I believe yet an other key word is politics
oppression definition prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control.
rebellion definition an act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler.
everything Terrorist related comes back to a government sounding word to me and happens to be politics CJ
oh yeah the government doesn't spy on its people just like they didn't kill thousands of innocent people with drone attacks.
just like how some people may believe in conspiracy.
kind of why military takes more then 50 years to declassify classification such as how and when Osama bin was killed just in time for reelection time of Obama bin laden. got back in the race.
Fact the CIA funded Al Qaeda and supplied them with money weapons trained them to use gorilla warfare
The NSA should be spying on our government officials. After all they are proving to be one of the enemies of the american people. They lie, they cheat, they scare and threaten and they are driving the average american into the poorhouse while enriching themselves.
Well said the have made the American dream damn near impossible to achieve. Killing small business and it employee's, the rich just get richer and the poor suffer for the mistake of being poor we pay a higher tax rate then the rich and did anyone notice millions of Americans lost job houses and filed bankruptcies mean while congress and other government official got a rise, Obama promised the American people everything so somehow he got elected not once but twice and nothing got better only worse, but hey he got to take all kinds of cool dream vacation's on our tax dollar must be nice.
Seems he is hoping to get some people upset at the prospect they are treated just like every other citizen.
Lovely idea, we can only get Congress to be upset about something if they do so from a place of hypocrisy.
Getting congress upset might be our only chance for justice.
NSA is doing it job looking out for the Country somebody has to and it sure isn't our so called government they spent the last 6 years making our once great United States dependent on other country's in the world. Down size military wicking our defense and allowing Al Qaeda to retake control of places American troops lost their lives trying to protect. So did they die for nothing ? ask Obama I wonder what new exotic vacation he is on now with my tax dollar. he has no problem hurting us and most of you are to dumb to know it. Treason should only be dished out to those in office especially OBAMA NATAION and the Democrat party.
They don't need to look out for the American people. This isnt about terrorism, prime example Boston Bombing he was leaving info out on the internet. It's about control thats it. They spy on our government officials guranteed and if they don't play ball well they blackmail them. Everyone should remember you have a greater chance of being killed by a shark or lightning than you do by a terrorist attack.
You can tell who controls congress by the way they vote.
Anything with 100% support MUST be the result of blackmail. This is because groups of people otherwise almost never support something 100%. It is not natural. Therefore it is a good indicator of where to look for the effects of the NSA fueled blackmail.
The U.S. funds Al-qaeda, dont be naive. Any ground Al-qaeda's gained has been allowed, supported by our government. For example in Syria we were giving those groups weapons so they could kill all the Christians.
Al-quida was created and is supported by the CIA.
You can call it anything you want, you can explain it anyway you want......but whittle it down to the truth: we are all being "spied upon". Honestly, are you surprised?
I'm wondering why I'm not being allowed to reply to you.
No, I'm not surprised. I went to congress to complain about the illegal spying on me personally and congress voted to legalize it as a response.
They say if the president orders it, it is not illegal.
Why bother, Congress doesn't do anything to spy about.
Bravo! Well said.
They allocate money.
The COURTS not NSA have defined content collection as spying NOT metadata collection. This was an obvious bait-and-switch from this Congressman. He knows metadata is being collected legally, but he writes a letter to NSA stating "Metadata collection is spying, so are you spying on me?" If the ppl of Vermont reelect this clown,that just shows what a $ $ clowns they really are.
Remember NSA is monitoring everything you type here, every call you make, all letters, and knows where and when you go anyplace. It knows what you eat, who you talk to and what about. It looks down at you with satalites, video's your actions and tracks how much money or guns you have. In order to stop them from knowing all this information, please put on your tinfoil hats!
we the people ceased to exist after 1913
Well sooprise sooprise sooprise. Indeed. Given the insidious Federal Reserve Act, the 16th Amendment and the expansion of the IRS into the collection arm of the Fed were all created in 1913, you are absolutely correct.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dba9OY0QatU
Notwithstanding Griffin's Creatures from Jekyl Island, the banning of The Law that Never Was and imprisoning it's author, is living proof the ruling class will do anything in it's power to keep you from learning the truth. The 16th Amendment is the IronFist of financial enslavement and is the monumental enabler of the NSA. Even to "suggest" ..well..I bet you know what I'm implying here. After all, one only need view Aaron Russo's film to understand why.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLwHrxjPT5E
Furthermore, in lieu of
This is a downside of the unguided collection of massive amounts of raw data. A Congressman asks if they have collected any information on him and the (probably honest) answer is "Uh, I don't know, we'll have to check about a trillion records and look".
I look at the bright side of my big brother government.THEY CARE ABOUT MR!lol That is why they do this. Obama cares! lol
The NSA provided a preliminary response Saturday that said Congress has "the same privacy protections as all U.S. persons."
In other words . . . NONE.
We The People have apparently lost control of our government. There is no accountability. The thing is too big and is now too intrusive. We need to get back control and fast. The quickest way to get control is to control the spending. We need a balanced budget amendment. If they have less money to spend, they will need to get back to the business of the People.
I get what you are saying...but will it really work?
Never going to happen. Our government will never give back all the controls they've gave themselves since 9/11. And the American people are to stupid, divided, and lazy to do anything about it. If anything we're going to lose more rights. This is Facism people enjoy.
Does everyone not get this? This agency has to be dismantled and destroyed. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The NSA is the single most reprehensible government organization ever made. They have no scruples, no morals, and don't give a damn about you.
They violate the 4th Amendment with impunity. Abolish them.
are you sure you dont mean the federal reserve?
And because of them you are safe.
Safe from what Andy? Terrorists? hahahah don't be stupid. Did they keep people safe in Boston? Counting 9/11 3000 and some odd number have died from terrorism in the U.S. You know how many people died from Shark attacks since than? or from Bee stings? How about struck by lightning? More people get killed by all those things every year than by terrorism. 20,000+ die from car wrecks a year. Since 2001 probably had 40,000+ murders. Every year 100 people die from BUBONIC PLAGUE in the U.S. This has nothing to do with keeping us safe. People like you are the reason that they get away with it.
Safe? This is the same government the rabid left thinks is owned by the military-industrial complex, and the far right is convinced is trying to take away all their guns. You can take cyanide to get rid of a cold, but it defeats the purpose, doesn't it?
So the NSA recognizes no master? It should be disbanded immediately and all involved charged with treason frankly.
NSA won't say whether it spies on Congress. That means it does.
"The NSA provided a preliminary response Saturday that said Congress has "the same privacy protections as all U.S. persons.'"
Why do I not find that comforting?
Someone should research what happened in the last days of the Roman Emire....we are going down the same path.
someone needs to do something about the NSA. This is getting out of hand.
No doubt Clapper will be "surprised and distressed" when someone explains how he "misunderstands" the concept of illegal searches and due process,
"The NSA would say nothing more, except that it is further reviewing the letter."
The old stiffarm... again, as always.
I think they meant there going to dig up some embarrasing info on this Congressmen and silence him.
NSA ,sounds like a government within a government,within a government = NO GOVERNMENT
This is an undeniable sign that our government is against our best interests. When simple questions from Congress are being dodged with evasive elocution and semantic games, rather than being answered directly as they should be, we're full blown Orwellian. Transparent is Opaque. Lies are Truth. Poor is Rich.
Because they only work for certain congress men
NSA. America's Numbers #1 most wanted. NSA. The Worlds #1 most wanted. American Goverment UNLEASHED. Founding Forefather's Worse Nitemare..
The first time I heard of the NSA's Orwellian tactics, it seemed a shocking tragedy, but now their trespasses are so regular and vast, it's just a pathetic farce.
"Litt said that Clapper was "surprised and distressed" when he was informed by staff that he gave a misleading answer after the testimony."
Most liars are "surprised and distressed" when they are caught.
All animals are equal, Congressman, but some are more equal than others.
The NSA's spying reminds me of the arms race, only there is no one to stop them. Wake up, America.
The NSA is scary. No one can escape their invasions.
"This incident shows the difficulty of discussing classified information in an unclassified setting and the danger of inferring a person's state of mind from extemporaneous answers given under pressure." or it could actually be the NSA is having difficulty discussing illegal operations in a public setting.
I wonder if I could try that argument in front of a judge after I 'didn't lie' to him or her under oath after he or she thought maybe I should face perjury charges. Oh wait, that argument wouldn't work for me...I'm wouldn't be an important, protected member of 'the elite' who literally get by with murder...what happened to this country?
If they spy on dignitaries , then they spy on US citizens. If they spy on leaders of other countries, then they spy on Congress, and the House too. They spy on all Nations including the big five.
this is "our" goverrnment?? of course not. it is the government of the 1%/ ellite corporations. they do not care one bit for us, except for our votes at election time, and , of course, our money. wake up america.
This is most assuredly not the government our founding fathers died for.
do you think congress gives a rats as% if they do spi on them?
Are you kidding, they should spy on Congress Senate and the White House
Why the NSA “spying” is technically legal.
The US government does not have the right to search your person or personal property. HOWEVER you give up this right when you go onto federal property and or use a government service.
This is why schools are allowed to search student lockers on whim, the government is allowed to keep track of what books you rent from the library… because the locker is owned by the school, and the library books are also owned by the government.
This is then applied to “cyberspace” Since the FCC regulates these mediums and one could say that “the airwaves” are a public domain; the government is allowed to monitor traffic through these mediums without violating the 4th amendment as you can’t well claim that cellular frequency X is your personal property nor can you think that every Ethernet cable/server that your email or snap-chat passes though is private property.
If you don’t like it vote in a congress that will abolish the FCC or privatize what is government run. The NSA serves at the leisure of congress and the president. You’re fooling yourselves if you think they’re “out of control”
scary public domain . like you'r in public why not treat you like a criminal all the time.
You are so full of crap. Who is paying you?
Really? then how come the NSA Intercepts Laptops Purchased Online to Install Malware?
One thing I think people should remember is the USA, and the NSA are not the only people that "spy". Our allies, our enemies, and even private citizens/groups all use the same methods (all be it with different results)
To remove the power of the NSA to compete in what is currently a cyber cold war would be idiotic and self destructive. Whats important is that any time a citizen of the United states is involved, the proper warrents are obtained. I don't really have a problem with "Metadata" being mined as long as its not viewed without a warrent when it involves a citizen.
I don't believe anyone thinks 'other countries' are not spying, what we are saying is that our country should not spy on us!
It is our governments job to protect its citizens, therefore instead of spying on us they should be looking for ways to protect us from being spied on... Not 'adding on'. The NSA should be bound by the same laws (restrictions) the FBI are constrained by when 'eavesdropping' on citizens located in country. Any extensions they would like to 'add' for persons outside the country (including communications to those within this country) should be unlimited.
So it is not ok to spy on an American without a warrant but it is ok to spy on a Canadian without a warrant? Are you insane or merely out of your head?
BTW have you ever heard about the illicit power that secret dossiers gave to J Edgar Hoover formerly of the FBI?
Of course they spy on congress, on behalf of those who have paid for those congressmen to be where they are.
You fools really believe we live in a democracy?
Waite until you find out how our political leaders use the NSA to play games with each other.
that would certainly explain a lot about the inexplicable behavior in congress.
This is nothing new. J. Edgar Hoover spied on everyone, and had his own secrets.
It was wrong then and it is wrong now.
Haha, "they won't say". When the NSA says they're spying on you, that means they're spying on you. When the NSA won't say whether or not they're spying on you, that means they've got cameras in your teeth.
I think the real issue that people are missing is the implication that congress doesn’t care that WE (The American people) are being spied on… they’re just worried about themselves being spied on… I actually like the NSA response pointing out that congressmen and women are (or at least should be) fundamentally no different than any other American. They may be violating the bill of rights but at least they’re doing it in an equal opportunist manner…
NSA is out of control and Congress needs to shut them down as it seems Obama is unwilling. New Director, nix this spying. If an individual is suspected of terror ties, get and INDIVIDUAL warrant with a time limit. Period. Anything else is a violation of the 4th.
The unstoppable power of the NSA:
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/12/inside-the-nsas-leaked-catalog-of-surveillance-magic/
This rogue, anti-American agency MUST be defunded and disbanded – and its leaders brought to trial for perjury and violating their oath of office. The totalitarian NSA are more a legacy of East Germany, North Korea or the old USSR. Enough already.
Who are "they"?
are you DAFT? they = the NSA
time to call in a meteor strike on their Data Collection Computers
It would have to be 2 miles wide
KGB was never this successful in any of their plans to get America to destroy it's own security and intelligence apparatus. As an old spy master, Putin, if he didn't pull the strings, must be wondering who did.
They were spying on everyday Americans yes they were spying on congress
Congress doesn't need to be spied on since this administration promised transparency anyway.
WHO THE HELL DO THESE PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE. I DONT EVER REMEMBER VOTING ON ANY OF THIS GARBAGE.
Do they spy on congress??? Stupid question.!! Everybody already knows they do.
They spy on everyone. Congress is finally worried, as they should be.
They don't spy on Congress. This is a rumor so people don't feel bad or are angry they are being spied on.
"If members of Congress and liders of the world are being spied on, who am I to complain?" - this will be the moto from now and on. NSA will spy even more than before, especially on the ones who were "against them or their policies" (media, politicians, regular citizens etc.)
The internet distroyed the privacy completely so we have to deal with its consequences.
Are we ready for a full scale revolt yet?
Note to Sen. Bernie Sanders:
What makes you think you should be immune to the predations of Big brother? I hope you are under their kind purview.
test
OK
Disband the NSA,
And though the past has it's share of injustice
Kind was the spirit in many a way
But it's protectors and friends have been sleeping
Now it's a monster and will not obey
From a song by Steppenwolf back in 1969. Could have been written today.