I joined DU 7 years ago because the FBI and NSA had been revealed to be spying on us

[Recursion]

and this place had good conversations about that. I opposed the spying then, and I oppose it now.

In 2008, Congress passed a law that made the situation somewhat better but not nearly better enough. The Executive now has to renew a warrant every so often with a court. That renewal was what started this whole shitstorm. Many people, including me, thought the law was an insufficient safeguard against improper government use of communications data. Obama's vote for that law in 2008 was then and remains my biggest disappointment with him. The situation is exactly what it was in 2008, which is to say better than it was in 2006, but still not good enough.

Snowden has alleged he has witnessed misuse of this program. If so, I hope he can be specific.

[Vinnie From Indy]

1. While it is all fine and good to post things like this,

I believe that your proposition looks silly to those that have listened to Snowden's interview and read information about his allegations. It is clear that you have not done either sufficiently or you would know that Snowden has made very specific allegations that should disturb all Americans. One such allegation is that he and other private contractor analysts could monitor ANY American's electronic communications quite easily. In his case, he had only been on the job for three months and was given that power. He also offers that the scope and capabilities of intelligence gathering has vastly been expanded under the Obama regime.

Your thoughts on this issue would be taken far more seriously if you demonstrated more than a cursory knowledge of the subject matter.

Cheers!

[Recursion]

2. Think about what you just wrote

One such allegation is that he and other private contractor analysts could monitor ANY American's electronic communications quite easily. In his case, he had only been on the job for three months and was given that power.

Yeah. I think you and I draw very different conclusions from that claim.

[wandy]

7. 3 nonths? 3 whole months. I'm impressed. nt

[giftedgirl77]

4. Intetesting

that you would accuse Recursion of making an opinion based post while not knowing all the facts all the while jumping to the conclusion that an employee with only 3 months with a company supposedly had access to a plethora of information. First & foremost even for him to obtain access to the documents that were leaked he obviously had to have a Top Secret clearance. Secondly with any job whether it is DOD or contracting you are hired for a specific position, it's not entry level & you work your way up. The minute you are hired you begin your job. As far as the FISA & PRISM programs go while they suck they are FAR better than they were under Shrub.

I also find it very telling that you refer to our executive branch as the Obama Regime.

[giftedgirl77]

8. Forgive the typos

It's hard typing on a phone with 20/80 vision uncorrectable.

[cantbeserious]

5. Hi Vinny, Your Opinion On This Matter Has Been Duly Noted - Many Disagree With Your Position

eom

[msanthrope]

3. If he's got specifics, now would be the time to give them. nt

[stupidicus]

6. that's the thing alrighty

just because it has been on a backburner all this time doesn't eliminate the objections that have been simmering.

the public debate over it is long overdue, and those that made that possible deserve our thanks

[KoKo]

9. ..and those that made that possible deserve our thanks

True...we are "Moving Forward" just as POB requested us to do once he took Office of Presidency of the US...and Declared..."We Will Not Look Back...We Will Move Forward."

So "WE" are doing exactly what he requested. And...therefore, Snowdon's Info is NEW...so we will MUNCH AND CHEW OVER that INFO...because it is NEW!

[Logical]

10. Nice! n-t