"We can handle the truth on NSA spying" by Eugene Robinson

[think]

We can handle the truth on NSA spying

By Eugene Robinson, Thursday, July 4, 6:10 PM

I don’t believe government officials when they say the National Security Agency’s (NSA) surveillance programs do not invade our privacy. The record suggests that you shouldn’t believe them, either.

It pains me to sound like some Rand Paul acolyte. I promise I’m not wearing a tinfoil hat or scanning the leaden sky for black helicopters. I just wish our government would start treating us like adults — more important, like participants in a democracy — and stop lying. We can handle the truth.

The starkest lie came in March at a Senate intelligence committee hearing, when Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) asked Director of National Intelligence James Clapper a simple question: “Does the NSA collect any type of data at all on millions or hundreds of millions of Americans?”

Clapper replied, “No, sir.”.....


Full editorial:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/eugene-robinson-we-can-handle-the-truth-on-nsa-spying/2013/07/04/76ef2c92-e408-11e2-a11e-c2ea876a8f30_story.html

[siligut]

1. Keeping us in the dark makes them feel superior

In a recent letter to the Senate intelligence committee, Clapper said he thought Wyden was asking about the content of domestic communications — which the NSA says it does not collect “wittingly,” for what that’s worth — rather than about the metadata. “Thus, my response was clearly erroneous,” Clapper wrote, “for which I apologize.”

He sounded like the cheating husband, caught in flagrante by his wife, who feigns surprise and says, “What mistress? Oh, you mean that mistress.”

Clapper’s defenders say Wyden unfairly asked a question that he knew the director could not answer. But Wyden says he sent the question to Clapper’s office a day in advance — and gave him the chance to amend his answer afterward.

Having secrets makes these guys feel special and apparently they can just lie with impunity.

[think]

2. They must have a few get out of jail free cards tucked away.

Last edited Thu Jul 4, 2013, 11:17 PM - Edit history (1)

[WillyT]

3. HUGE K & R !!!

[Skittles]

4. there are MANY DUers who CANNOT HANDLE THE TRUTH

[Maedhros]

8. Not so much that THEY cannot handle the truth

they just don't want newcomers to the site to see it. It's why they try to derail every thread that reveals something interesting.

[Skittles]

13. ooh - Maedhros

damn - you are correct

[Hekate]

5. KnR Eugene Robinson

Calm, rational, well-reasoned, intelligent analysis. Good starting point.

The biggest lie of all? That the American people don’t even deserve to be told what their laws mean, much less how those laws are being used.

[think]

6. Yep. And love that closing line. Sums it up very well....

[Mojorabbit]

11. Yep nt

[MNBrewer]

7. ^^^ THIS

[raindaddy]

9. Is Eugene Robinson Suggesting The President Lied?

He must be a racist who hates Obama!

[mindwalker_i]

10. Are you kidding me?

America collectively wet it's pants after 9-11 and demanded that the government bend it over and "feedomize" it.

[Lugnut]

12. +1,000 n/t

[Egnever]

17. This ^^

[freedom fighter jh]

14. "We can handle the truth."

Yes we can. But NSA can't handle us knowing the truth.

[blkmusclmachine]

15. I have seen the enemy.

And he is us.

[silvershadow]

16. "Honorable intentions are not enough".

Hear, hear.