So is the NSA security leaker a hero, villian or both?

[billfred]

Yes because Bush creating the Dept of Homeland Security and signing the Patriot Act didn't cost us any freedom.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

this

 

[mrplunkey]

Tin foil hat folks are usually indeed crazy.

Kinda torn on this issue. Debating the ethics and balance between privacy and security (which I dont fully buy) aside, from a legality standpoint it sounds as if Congress authorized this and thus it is law. Not many people are aware, but in the 80s when cell phones first began becoming relevant it was determined by the courts that, because the signal is bounced off of towers and not through an actual phone line (on your property), conversations on cell phones came with no reasonable expectation of privacy.

In the eyes of the law, the government tapping into your cell phone signal is no different than a Fed overhearing you talk at the next table in a restaurant. Perhaps that will change due to the public interest in this issue.

That's a really goofy ruling since laser microphones are illegal. You'd think electromagnetic signals bouncing off towers are no different than electromagnetic signals bouncing off glass surfaces of structures.

 

[gjohnson5]

Edward Snowden: the whistleblower behind the NSA surveillance revelations | World news | guardian.co.uk

Even though I hate these surveillance programs more with a passion , I have to be real about this kid

Anne Arundel High school dropout
Anne Arundel community college dropout
US Army dropout
.
.
.
Security guard for University of Maryland
(massive leap)
CIA agent

How can anyone see this guy as a hero? The only reason he dropped the information because he has a clear history of being fickle breaking commitments. With such a checkered past , I have no idea how he was trusted with National Security secrets.

What would you call a person who often breaks personal and professional commitments?

The government has no idea how to vet a quality job candidate. And the fact that there are probably many more people with clearances who are fickle or quitters only speaks badly about the leadership out our country.

 

[PICK3]

Anne Arundel High school dropout
Anne Arundel community college dropout
US Army dropout
.
.
.
Security guard for University of Maryland
(massive leap)
CIA agent

Cybercollege dipoloma ==> Printed!

 

[gjohnson5]

Tin foil hat folks are usually indeed crazy.

Kinda torn on this issue. Debating the ethics and balance between privacy and security (which I dont fully buy) aside, from a legality standpoint it sounds as if Congress authorized this and thus it is law.

Agree with this. The people need to take responsibility for who they put in office. Bill Clinton said this. In this case YOU voted for people who are in agreement with such programs and crafted these surveillance programs into law. We also voted for the politicians who put the supreme court judges in place.

I am going to start voting libertarian from now on and will only vote for candidates who have a wish to cut the purse strings from these government agencies involved in this stuff

 

[ismaele00]

So what's the difference between the NSA and the Police tasks? The Judge permission. I'm unable of imagine a NSA member thinking: "oh, come on, let's check out what this citizen -I know from nothing- is sending to this other citizen".
This is the same that happens in Guantanamo. Yes we're breaking the law -and I'm a lawyer- but we're getting tons of info. So what if the NSA discover a terrorist plan that would kill your family? If the NSA by this way of investigating -absolutly illegal- would have been able of avoid the 9/11 tragedy? Or the 3/11 in Madrid? Or the 7/11 in London?

It's all about how many rights can be waived for safety?

 

[Headholio]

The ACLU is suing the administration over the constitutionality of this survaillance.
NSA snooping triggers lawsuits - CNN.com

Plunkey, here's how you can show your support and help the ACLU financially:

https://www.aclu.org/secure/join-aclu?s_src=UNW130001C00

 

[mrplunkey]

Agree with this. The people need to take responsibility for who they put in office. Bill Clinton said this. In this case YOU voted for people who are in agreement with such programs and crafted these surveillance programs into law. We also voted for the politicians who put the supreme court judges in place.

I am going to start voting libertarian from now on and will only vote for candidates who have a wish to cut the purse strings from these government agencies involved in this stuff

We're on the same page!

I like libertarian positions -- even the so-called "liberal" ones. The only thing I disagree with is their timing.

For example, if we eliminated the marriage subsidy I'd be all for gay marriage immediately.

And if we took reasonable measures (which would never be foolproof) to make sure people choosing to use drugs weren't being supported by taxpayers, I'd be for legalizing every drug too.

And although I'm pro-choice, I still don't think taxpayers should be forced to pay for abortions (particularly third-term and partial-birth abortions). If public funds (federal funds, in particular) weren't used on abortions, I'm not even sure people should get to vote on it -- it should just be another legal activity.

 

[redsamurai]

because the signal is bounced off of towers and not through an actual phone line (on your property), conversations on cell phones came with no reasonable expectation of privacy.

.

Holy fucking Can I semantics?

 

[75th]

Even though I hate these surveillance programs more with a passion , I have to be real about this kid

Anne Arundel High school dropout
Anne Arundel community college dropout
US Army dropout
.
.
.
Security guard for University of Maryland
(massive leap)
CIA agent

How can anyone see this guy as a hero? The only reason he dropped the information because he has a clear history of being fickle breaking commitments. With such a checkered past , I have no idea how he was trusted with National Security secrets.

What would you call a person who often breaks personal and professional commitments?

The government has no idea how to vet a quality job candidate. And the fact that there are probably many more people with clearances who are fickle or quitters only speaks badly about the leadership out our country.

To be fair, if theres one industry you can get ahead in without formal education is software engineering.

If memory serves, that CIA bish that found bin Laden didnt have a degree either.