'Obama putting Clapper In Charge Of NSA Commission That Reports Back To Clapper-Big FU America'

[kpete]

President Obama putting Clapper in charge of the #NSA commission *that reports back to Clapper* is a giant Fuck You to America.
http://inagist.com/all/367049264431501312/?utm_source=inagist&utm_medium=rss


In the memo Obama just released ordering James Clapper to form such a committee, those words “outside” and “independent” disappear entirely.

I believe it is important to take stock of how these technological advances alter the environment in which we conduct our intelligence mission. To this end, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I am directing you to establish a Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies (Review Group).

The Review Group will assess whether, in light of advancements in communications technologies, the United States employs its technical collection capabilities in a manner that optimally protects our national security and advances our foreign policy while appropriately accounting for other policy considerations, such as the risk of unauthorized disclosure and our need to maintain the public trust. Within 60 days of its establishment, the Review Group will brief their interim findings to me through the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), and the Review Group will provide a final report and recommendations to me through the DNI no later than December 15, 2013.

And neither Obama nor the Intelligence Committees get to hear from this Group themselves. It all goes through James Clapper.

What on Friday was an outside and independent group is now branded by the Director of National Intelligence as the Director of National Intelligence Group.

At the direction of the President, I am establishing the Director of National Intelligence Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies to examine our global signals-intelligence collection and surveillance capability.

The Review Group will assess whether, in light of advancements in communications technologies, the United States employs its technical collection capabilities in a manner that optimally protects our national security and advances our foreign policy while appropriately accounting for other policy considerations, such as the risk of unauthorized disclosure and our need to maintain the public trust.

Huh. It took exactly 72 hours for that good idea to fizzle into a navel gaze directed by the guy who lies to Congress.

MORE:
http://www.emptywheel.net/2013/08/12/this-technical-review-group-brought-to-you-by-the-booz-allen-hamilton-director-of-national-intelligence/

[leftstreet]

1. LOL Shortest ObamaHoneyMoon on DU ever!

[JackRiddler]

17. Gee I wonder why.

[mick063]

25. Because we are living in the infancy of some kind of weird futuristic movie.

Full 3D with realistic sights and sounds.

A hybrid of "Elysium", "Hunger Games", and "Starship Troopers".

Only in ACT I of course. The introduction. The world still appears to be "normal".


The best is yet to come.

[JDPriestly]

94. I'm brushing up my knowledge of Roman history.

We aren't just living through the same pattern.

There are a few differences -- the names for one thing, and some other things too, but there are eery parallels between what our country is going through and what the Roman Republic went through as it neared its end and devolved into a dictatorship.

Can we learn from the past?

[RC]

2. Yeah, that'll fix things right up. Oh, yeah it will.

[Fumesucker]

3. The large print giveth, the small print taketh away

As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, words without end, amen.

[Jefferson23]

4. Bookmarked, thank you for posting. n/t

[burnodo]

5. Like the Fox in charge of the investigation into the death of the chicken

"Chickens should be on the alert" the Fox said, blood dripping from his lips.

[Amonester]

6. Told you so. NSA private interests will not go away, unless

UNLESS PRIVATE-INTERESTS MONEY gets banned from politics.

So.

Not.Gonna.Happen.Anytime.Soon.

Face_Reality.

[Savannahmann]

36. That alone won't do it.

We need to hold those involved accountable. If our Representatives won't stand up for our rights, they need to be primary challenged. I have already cut off all donations to politicians. Instead that money goes to the ACLU. The reason should be obvious. The ACLU is fighting for me, instead of working to subjugate me.

[sabrina 1]

60. Exactly, until the rule of law is restored, criminals will continue to be 'elder statesmen' and

occupy powerful positions in our government, and/or wield unprecedented power over this Congress and WH. No matter which party is in power.

[Vanje]

8. Jesus.

He's not even trying, is he?

[Cali_Democrat]

9. Cool

Nothing wrong with giving America the middle finger, right?

So Obama gave a big fuck you to America?

LOL

[rhett o rick]

83. It's really not Obama's fault.

Obviously General Clapper is running the show.

[liberal_at_heart]

10. Is Obama seriously doing this? He is really putting Clapper in charge of forming an NSA committee?

Is he mocking us? because it sure seems like it.

[MotherPetrie]

11. K&R. Clapper joins the exalted ranks of Simpson/Bowles.

[JaneyVee]

12. Whoever it is will have to have top secret security clearance.

[JackRiddler]

18. Really? Where does it say that in the Constitution?

Maybe that's the problem, that the Beast can be investigated only by those whom the Beast has vetted?

Isn't it interesting that elected and appointed officials of the elected government get vetted by the Beast, and not vice-versa?

[JaneyVee]

19. Not really. Some things are too sensitive for public knowledge.

A public advocate watching the NSAs actions will need a high level security clearance being that they will be looking at case files of those who are actually getting warranted.

[Union Scribe]

26. "too embarrassing for public knowledge"

Fixed.

[truebluegreen]

56. + a million

[Ed Suspicious]

27. Like what is too sensitive for public knowledge? What does the nsa do that you shouldn't know about?

[Mojorabbit]

34. A high level clearance did not have to be Clapper. It is a surreal choice. nt

[bemildred]

70. Sorry, the people in government are not special. Not especially smart or disciplined or moral.

Anything they can know, we should know, period. Knowledge is power, secret knowledge is secret power, why do you think certain types of people are attracted to it? Can terrorists operate in an open-information enviroment? Do terrorists like secrets?? Why yes, yes they do. This set a snake to catch a snake approach just ensures lots of snakes killing each other in the bushes.

[JDPriestly]

99. Thank you. The question isn't whether we have "something to hide" or not, the question is

do certain groups and individuals in our government get access to knowledge about what specific Americans are doing, how they are voting, what they are saying, that the rest of us cannot reach if we wish to do so?

The question is whether a small clique have superior knowledge about our communications, about the communications of millions of people and can that knowledge be used to gain more power, to propagandize, to spread rumors, to tilt the playing field of opinion, information and knowledge in one direction or the other.

The surveillance is about acquiring and asserting and using power only available to very few, those few being the same people who control our military/industrial complex and our political parties. That combination could easily lead to a dictatorship.

I think that is where we are headed.

[Civilization2]

108. The threat is authoritarianism and its attendant systematic falsification of history,

accepted by the intelligentsia so long as it is being undertaken by people on "our side."

Secret corporate-mercenary spying is a direct threat to DEMOCRACY, this move only heightens the absurdity of elected representatives creating secrets to begin with,. oh what a tangled web..,

[Enthusiast]

53. Seems to be what we did in regard to Wall Street malfeasance.

It keeps the perpetrators safe from justice.

[totodeinhere]

65. That's a really lame excuse for this outrage. n/t

[synapticwave]

80. just FYI

It's illegal for your son (or anyone with a clearance) to tell you what his security level is. I suspect he (and certainly his superiors and ISSO) would not like you posting this on a public political message board.

[Marrah_G]

88. thanks

wasn't thinking

[1awake]

13. lol... yea, thanks Obama... knew we could count on you. And the hits just keep on coming. n/t

[another_liberal]

14. It's called having the goods on someone.

Clapper does, that is. The NSA doesn't have access to everyone's private communications without coming across some really good blackmail material. At least that is my guess.

Elmer Fudd saw his budget and his control of a vast intelligence empire were at risk, so maybe he shared a few "Special Files" with their subjects among the high and mighty in the Obama administration. That is exactly the way J. Edgar Hoover held on to the FBI Directorship despite being hated by at least four of the last five Presidents he worked for.

[IDemo]

15. Next up...Larry Summers

Bank on it. Or, let me rephrase that -FU!

[mick063]

16. Impeach Bill Clinton for telling falsehoods to Congress, yet

Put Clapper in charge of picking his own oversight.....as a reward for telling falsehoods to Congress.


Personally, I think they have this ass backwards.

How about impeach Clapper?

I hope the committee doesn't slap his wrists too hard.

I have an idea. Let Wyden choose the committee.

[Ed Suspicious]

31. The NSA head has more cover than the president. Really, who is running the country?

[JackRiddler]

41. The MIC's been in charge a lot longer than any president.

[usGovOwesUs3Trillion]

20. Is this the Onion?

:shakes-head:

[cantbeserious]

21. Kick And Recommend

eom

[forestpath]

22. Who (besides the pom pom pumpers, of course) didn't see this coming?

[WillyT]

23. K & R !!!

[frylock]

24. that report has already been finalized..

bank it.

[DeSwiss]

28. K&R

[center]Americans Wait For Their Freedumb
[/center]

[AnotherMcIntosh]

29. So, President Obama's sense of humor extends to mocking those who value the 4th Amendment.

Who knew?

[Thinkingabout]

30. Let's see, when Snowden was in charge at NSA he stole files and gave the information to

A foreign media source, now that is somebody we can't trust.

[usGovOwesUs3Trillion]

32. Whistleblowers tend to give their information to media sources

FYI

BTW: There's this new fangled thing all the kids are raving about called the internet... you can actually get news from all over the world on it, you gotta check it out

[Vanje]

33. Weak.

Really.

[totodeinhere]

66. What has that got to do with getting the Fox, James Clapper, to investigate

the hen house? Absolutely nothing. No matter what Snowden did or did not do it is fact that Clapper lied to Congress and now he is going to investigate the NSA. Don't you see anything wrong with that or has your partisanship blinded you so much that you cannot reason?

[Thinkingabout]

69. The same back to you on blindness, if it is okay to you Snowden lied and stole rhen it should be

For Clapper to investigate after all Snowden "investigated". Don't use a double standard here.

[totodeinhere]

82. That's not the same thing at all. Snowden was not appointed by the administration to investigate

anything. In fact he has been indicted. Yet they appointed a proven perjurer to investigate NSA spying. Why didn't they indict Clapper for perjury? It sure didn't take them long to indict Snowden. That is the real double standard.

[Thinkingabout]

100. Well at least we have established Snowden was not appointed by the admistration to investigate

anything. Snowden took this upon himself to do so, he has also proven himself as a liar when he agreed to the Code of Ethics and then broke those rules. Yep, there is a double standard here.

[totodeinhere]

101. Why do you keep coming back to Snowden. This is not about him.

What do you think about Clapper? This thread is about him.

[Thinkingabout]

103. Clapper has much more integrity than Snowden could ever gain in this life, Clapper has worked in

the intelligence community and has experience in how this industry works.

[bvar22]

67. You have it exactly backwards.

Someone who witnesses wrong doing,
and has the courage to stand in public and Blow the Whistle,
that is somebody we CAN trust.

[Thinkingabout]

71. Yes there is wrong doing here, Snowden was working under a code of ethics, he violated

This code, wrong doing on Snowden's part, no double standards here. He was wrong in the path he could have taken in order to be a whistleblower so he blew that also and now he has been charged with crimes. If it was important to be the whistleblower but he has proven he did not take that course of action. Once a thief always a thief.

[GoneFishin]

73. Good luck with that. nt

[bvar22]

74. There is a CODE that supercedes anything Snowden signed.

because that Code that Supersedes is the reason WHY we have a United States today.

It is The Code of the Inalienable Rights bestowed by our Creator.
Are you familiar with THAT Code?

[Thinkingabout]

90. Are you trying to say our creator has written laws, constitution, etc?

[bvar22]

93. I'm not "trying" to say anything.

I AM saying that the our nation was created and founded on the PRINCIPLE that OUR RIGHTS were bestowed upon us by a source OUTSIDE & Greater Than our government,
and are "inalienable".
(Inalienable = Unable to be taken away)

Here is only one of them.
You should familiarize yourself with this:

4th Amendment
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."

The benevolent government did NOT "give" us this inalienable right,
and can not take it away.

The government that was established AT the creation of our country
was FORBIDDEN to infringe upon these rights for any reason because it was subordinate to these RIGHTS. Our government was specifically NOT given the power to do so.

So ANY rationalization or excuse for the Government claiming the right to infringe upon these rights is BOGUS from the start,
no matter how good it sounds,
or how "safe" it makes you feel.

A bogus, perpetual War on a Tactic doesn't stand up under this examination.
Do you expect the government to return these "inalienable" rights to you after the word "Terror" has been defeated?


Big Brother LOVES you,
and only wants what is GOOD for you,
whether YOU like it or not.



You will know them by their [font size=3]WORKS.[/font]

[Thinkingabout]

98. Who are you referring to in "creator"?

[bvar22]

107. Go ask those who founded our Democracy.

Most of them didn't believe in the common Christian concept of god as a benevolent but vengeful Santa Clause sitting on a golden cloud either.
And that isn't the point anyway.

You CAN be an atheist and still believe that Basic Human Rights
exist outside of and beyond the Government, and are bestowed by our creator, even if that creator is only nature doing its thing.
I do.

I also believe the following to be Basic Human Rights,
as did FDR:

"We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. “Necessitous men are not free men.”[3] People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.

In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be [font size=3]established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.[/font]

Among these are:

*The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;

*The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

*The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

*The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

*The right of every family to a decent home;

*The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

*The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

*The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.

America's own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for all our citizens."
FDR, SOTU, 1944

The reason I joined the Democratic party in 1965 was because, like FDR, I believed that these are basic Human Rights.
There was a time, not so long ago, when voting FOR the Democratic party
was voting FOR these rights.
Sadly, this is no longer True,
and we get farther away from those rights every day.

Whatever one chooses to believe in, whether or not it is framed as a grandfather sitting on a Golden Throne doesn't change the "inalienability"
of these RIGHTS.

It just so happens that OUR country (I assume you are a citizen of the USA)
was ESTABLISHED on the concept that these RIGHTS are above and beyond mere governments.
Most of the founders did not believe in Santa Clause either.
That doesn't change the principles of our Democracy.

Have you read what our founders had to say about a government that attempts to rescind or abridge these "inalienable" rights?

[rhett o rick]

87. This OP is about Gen Clapper. The man that lied under oath to Congress.

Attacking Snowden's character is irrelevant with regard to the NSA's illegal spying.

[Thinkingabout]

91. Are you attacking the character of Clapper? If you are, then get this I am attacking Snowden, one

of my rights, Freedom of Speech, you don't want me to say Snowden lied, he did and he also stole what was not his to steal.

[Erose999]

81. Who in the American media would he give the info to? The big networks would never buck their MIC

overlords. I mean maybe Fox would run the story but... they're fucking Fox. And any independent media outlet running the story would be in the same pickle as Snowden. It had to go to foreign media.

[rhett o rick]

86. Ok so let's say that we agree that we cant trust Snowden. What does that have to do with

this OP? I hope you dont think you can get away with insinuating that since Snowden cant be trusted that therefore Gen Clapper can.

Once again, Snowden's character has nothing to do with whether or not the NSA is illegally spying on Americans.

[Thinkingabout]

96. Glad you can agree you can't trust Snowden, I was pointing out this group who runs behind Snowden

thinking he is great, Clapper has much more integrity than Snowden will ever have.

[rhett o rick]

102. "Clapper has much more integrity than Snowden will ever have." And you know that how?

I can see how you might wish that to be true. You want it to be true soo badly. You want to think your authoritarian leader will take care of you. You should read, "And they thought they were free." So I am guessing you are against transparency. And you dont think the NSA needs to have oversight. Tell me if I am wrong.

As fare as me agreeing that Snowden cant be trusted. I dont like it when you put words in my mouth.

[Thinkingabout]

105. Are you on a merry-go-round? You accuse me and then repeat the same for yourself. Talk about

putting words in you mouth and then you practice the same, no, I don't buy your words of what I think and I am not think out of your mind.

[Ian David]

35. At least it's not all in the hands of John Roberts anymore. n/t

[mick063]

37. Ohhh relief

Clapper is so much better at deciding what is best for us.

[Ian David]

38. Does Clapper have Crazy Jesus Eyes?

[mick063]

39. Put up a pic of Clapper.

You might freak out.

[Ian David]

55. He looks like that guy Mike from Breaking Bad....

[Douglas Carpenter]

43. well - okay - I did find this White House Press Release

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release August 12, 2013
August 12, 2013

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/08/12/presidential-memorandum-reviewing-our-global-signals-intelligence-collec

MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
SUBJECT: Reviewing Our Global Signals Intelligence Collection and Communications Technologies
The United States, like all nations, gathers intelligence in order to protect its national interests and to defend itself, its citizens, and its partners and allies from threats to our security. The United States cooperates closely with many countries on intelligence matters and these intelligence relationships have helped to ensure our common security.

Recent years have brought unprecedented and rapid advancements in communications technologies, particularly with respect to global telecommunications. These technological advances have brought with them both great opportunities and significant risks for our Intelligence Community: opportunity in the form of enhanced technical capabilities that can more precisely and readily identify threats to our security, and risks in the form of insider and cyber threats.

I believe it is important to take stock of how these technological advances alter the environment in which we conduct our intelligence mission. To this end, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I am directing you to establish a Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies (Review Group).
The Review Group will assess whether, in light of advancements in communications technologies, the United States employs its technical collection capabilities in a manner that optimally protects our national security and advances our foreign policy while appropriately accounting for other policy considerations, such as the risk of unauthorized disclosure and our need to maintain the public trust. Within 60 days of its establishment, the Review Group will brief their interim findings to me through the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), and the Review Group will provide a final report and recommendations to me through the DNI no later than December 15, 2013.

You are hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

BARACK OBAMA

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/08/12/presidential-memorandum-reviewing-our-global-signals-intelligence-collec

[ohheckyeah]

44. You didn't look very hard....

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/08/12/presidential-memorandum-reviewing-our-global-signals-intelligence-collec

[Douglas Carpenter]

45. yeah that's why I posted that press release in full 8 minutes before you posted the link

[ohheckyeah]

46. Funny....

it didn't show up on my computer. You deleted the post I responded to.

[silvershadow]

42. Would that be a circle-jerk, then? Because it seems rather circular...nt

[SamKnause]

47. Assigning, appointing, or nominating

I am waiting for President Obama to assign, appoint, or nominate Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, Grover Norquist, and George Walker Bush to his administration.

[MisterP]

48. at least he'll have a phone...

[pa28]

49. Even the Washington Post is calling BS at this point.

Running afoul of the Washington consensus scares him to death so I'm sure we're already well on the way to much less ridiculous sounding solution.

[Th1onein]

50. UNBELIEVABLE.

Arrogant.

I am appalled.

[Pholus]

51. Oh FFS! I guess it's not unexpected.

But I hoped for better.

Feel safer yet?

[Recursion]

52. Help me out here

Is it the fact that Clapper gets a copy of the report? I'm missing the cause for outrage.

[Pholus]

54. It's as impartial as Dick Cheney's Veep selection deliberations.

Clapper will be picking the people evaluating his business.

At least the report will not cause a scandal, I suppose.

[muriel_volestrangler]

62. And the point has changed from "prevent abuse" to "stop disclosure"

Obama on Friday, talking about 'outside experts':

So I am tasking this independent group to step back and review our capabilities — particularly our surveillance technologies. And they’ll consider how we can maintain the trust of the people, how we can make sure that there absolutely is no abuse in terms of how these surveillance technologies are used,

Letter specifying what the group is for, with no mention that anyone from 'outside' should serve on the group:

appropriately accounting for other policy considerations, such as the risk of unauthorized disclosure and our need to maintain the public trust

'Unauthorized disclosure' sounds more like preventing leaks than abuse. The problem is that the secret court authorizes whatever the NSA wants. And without worrying about abuse, 'maintaining the public trust' can just come down to a PR exercise. If I read the letter Obama sent without hearing what he said in the press conference, I'd say it says "stop another Manning or Snowden happening again", rather than "stop spying on Americans more than they are happy with".

[Recursion]

63. Both are important concerns

Balancing them is always the trick.

[muriel_volestrangler]

75. But 'stop abuse' has disappeared, so I'm not optimistic about that being balanced with anything (nt)

[Rex]

78. I figured as much.

I knew it was never about fairness and accuracy.

[historylovr]

57. K & R

[Safetykitten]

58. It's a chess thing. You don't get it. We don't get it. Only a select group do.

[Katashi_itto]

59. Gosh, and then we get to have Hillary be President..she will make it allll

better....more hope and change!

[CrispyQ]

61. A totally disgusted kick.

Did anyone ever tell this president that actions speak louder than words?

[totodeinhere]

64. It's like having Bernie Madoff overseeing regulations on Wall Street. n/t

[L0oniX]

68. Crapper! His nick name in school and now too ...and very fitting. n/t

[FlyByNight]

72. Awesome

National surveillance and empire maintenance aren't for the truthful. I guess that's what's called "realpolitik".

Orwell would, yet again, be impressed. Sadly typical of the administration these days.

[Marrah_G]

77. Stuff like this is why so many of us are fed up with this administration

[deutsey]

79. I'm sure he'll give us the least untruthful oversight possible

[rhett o rick]

84. Only if he is caught give us the big lie. nm

[Rex]

85. It shows they could care less what we think.

And will lie whenever the need arises. Hopefully they can keep Congress on script next time!

[Rebellious Republican]

89. Guess we have the newest version of old tech, the Clapper! Clap on Clap off.....

The Clapper Sound Activated On/Off Switch enables you to turn on and off various home appliances by merely clapping your hands twice or thrice. This device has two outputs two claps and three claps. With two claps you can switch on the appliance attached to the two-clap output, and with three claps you can turn on the device attached to the three-clap output. This clap sensitive switch features lights that glow when proper claps are detected. It also features a sound sensitivity dial that can be adjusted for soft or loud claps. This noise-activated switch can be plugged into standard light sockets. These lapper switches can also serve as limited security devices when they are turned on and placed in the Away mode. Switch on and off your home appliances from the comfort of your couch with this clap sensitive light switch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=cfgN5tUgjb8



NSA spying lights on, NSA spying lights off, problem solved.

[CanonRay]

92. That's pretty much saying "kiss my ass" to all of us.

Thanks a lot Mr. President.

[Demo_Chris]

95. Why such surprise? This has been an Obama tradition since elected. nt

[rhett o rick]

106. It should be clear that Pres Obama has no control over Gen Clapper. Clapper is calling the shots.nm

[Life Long Dem]

97. Clapper is the only man I will trust

[rhett o rick]

104. You and the life long Republicans. Republicans love Clapper. nm

[morningfog]

109. Good to see you finally kicked off!

[B Calm]

110. and I thought a clapper was a device to turn your lights on and off. .

[GliderGuider]

112. In this case he's a device to turn the lights out. nt

[GliderGuider]

111. Obama is a American politician.

He doesn't answer to the people, he answers to the money.

As my mother used to say, "Ya gotta dance with the one that brung ya."