I'm surprised there isn't one, or else I missed seeing it. For the last week there's been constant news about the gov't recording all communications meta data, and Prez Obama even said there is strict oversight, and that it's necessary to give up a little individual privacy in order to combat terrorism and increase our security. I've been mildly fuming since that story broke. Now in the news is the guy, Edward Snowden, former CIA and recent Booz Allen gov't consultant, outed himself as the source for the Guardian article. OK, so he's the whistleblower. But then the radio has been abuzz all day about the gov't trying to hunt this guy down, extradite him, maybe charge him with treason. WTF? The gov't is violating the 4th Amendment rights of over 300 million Americans, a major crime if ever there was one, and the gov't is saying the whistleblower may be charged with treason. This is getting crazier than a looney tune cartoon. So much for our federal whistleblower protection laws. Snowden is a national hero.

Is he not?

I don't know who's who in this zoo.
What's next?

Hello NSA aka Salmo, today I looked at various fishing NW sites well really the big two, PP and another one that papa takes care of. Also browsed /Misc/ and /fit/ and google news but you already knew that.



yeah I am pissed as hell mr salmo g

It's not apathy Salmo, at least not from me, but moreso my knowledge that complaints or acknowledgement of these types of issues fall on deaf ears here.
There are a coupe few folks like Dogfish or Driftin that get it, but the rest of the blowhards here aren't worth discussing the issue with. so I figure.... Why bother?

I've known about this for years..ever since I read about the AT&T whistle blower spoke up in 2007 about the bulk splitter on AT&T fiber carrying all traffic going into a black room... and later corroborated the story with people I knew.

The problem is that the government answers to no one. The people in charge of these program are immune from scrutiny. The government itself can spy of dissenters, political foes, etc.. because they have the keys to the kingdom, so why would they care to change? My observation based on how the current administration has dealt with previous issues: They are embarrassed to be forced to acknowledge the program, and will bury it as soon as possible.

There was a big thread, but the NSA took it.

I'm naive and a Polly Anna, but I thought this is so egregious that the gov't will have to back off. If we want this sort of security blanket at the cost of the 4th Amendment, it's needs to be subject to a transparent national debate, and codified by that bunch of criminals we call Congress.

I'm mad as hell! Just thought I'd share that.

Salmo, did it come as a surprise?

this is just the tip of the iceberg, and most of your anger is probably because you just found out you have been getting rammed your entire life by the people that are supposed to be FOR the people... but are actually for themselves...

the government doesnt care about you, you are a burden to them... we always will be....

Umm...I think I started a thread the morning after NSA Prism broke. Per usual, I was ahead of my time

Seriously - nobody but a couple of REAL men posted in that thread. What's up ya pansies? You chickens afraid the "man" is watching? Bwakakak Bwwaaakakak!!!

I guess I "get it" that most don't want to believe that ill winds are blowing, and like most things in today's society....."If it ain't in my face, it's someone else's problem." Few will risk and the majority will just watch and hope there is something good in the outcome for them.

What a team.

Monitoring our communications pr-dates what has come to the attention of the general public. For years now our government has filtered and monitored phone calls,fax's and later cell and internet transmissions.

Part of the contract to buy, lease or own spectrum in the country involves language that requires the buyer to "throttle down" speeds and make it available for the Feds to monitor transmissions. This has been done so that the government can monitor the communications. In more recent years companies tried to cash in on throttling and have people pay more for faster service, which would have worked in the Feds favor so did not see much opposition until the general public got involved.

Ever travel to other countries and wondered why their internet is so much faster? No throttling.

I was in satellite communications in the military and was astounded by some of the things I learned. I am sure it has gotten a lot more invasive and egregious since I got out.

Fishy

So you are telling me my slow internet speed isn't the Porn's fault? NICE. Keep calm and spank on.

Hero? I would say he's a stand up citizen that did the right thing, hero, nah.

No......this makes them look bad. They will follow this poor bastard to the ends of the earth. Be lucky if he does not get droned to protect the POS, I mean POTUS(I keep forgetting the "TU"). It will all be for "national security" though. Ya national security and the children.

Don't worry...McCain's got your back, Salmo.

http://dailycurrant.com/2013/06/10/john-mccain-calls-for-invasion-of-hong-kong/

John McCain Calls For Invasion of Hong Kong
Jun. 10, 2013

U.S. Senator John McCain called for the invasion of Hong Kong today in response to recent leaks about secret surveillance programs.

In an interview with BBC World News, the hawkish Republican said that by hosting the leaker, Edward Snowden, Hong Kong has proven itself to be an enemy of the United States.

"Either you're with us or you're against us," McCain explained to anchor Freddie Lyon, "and clearly the nation of Hong Kong is against us. By harboring this known cybercriminal they pose a clear and present danger to the American people.

"I don't want to hear about extradition or rendition or any of that nonsense. This man is a traitor and if we don't get him within 24 hours I say we need to start bombing the hell out of Hong Kong.

"Luckily this is a tiny country with no real military to speak of. I don't expect any resistance. We could probably destroy their infrastructure and occupy the entire country by the end of the week."

The Chinese Connection

Hong Kong is a former British colony that is now a Special Administrative Region of China. Although it has wide autonomy in domestic matters, defense and foreign affairs are the province of China - which has the world's second most powerful military after the United States.

John McCain, however, has a long history of advocating greater U.S. military involvement abroad, vociferously supporting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and calling for airstrikes in Syria.

The former 2008 presidential candidate has also been a vocal critic of China, but his willingness to use military force against a protectorate of Beijing is nevertheless a surprise to many. Yet in the interview McCain was unapologetic and said the U.S. shouldn't stop at an invasion.

"After we take Hong Kong and capture Snowden, we need to seriously think about annexing the territory,' he continued, "they have a world class port, a great stockmarket, and the best dim sum in the world. I don't know why China should have all of that and not us.

"If we had a military base in Hong Kong we could keep a close eye on what the Chinese are up to. We could station missiles that would be only minutes away from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin - all the major cities. And finally we'd have a place where we could move the Guantanamo inmates.

"Sure it will be a difficult adjustment at first. But everyone already speaks English, so half our work is done. In time Hong Kongers will come to love our rule - just like the Hawaiians, the Filipinos, and the Afghans."

John McCain has served as a senator from Arizona since 1987. He was the Republican candidate for president in 2008, a contest he lost to Barack Obama.

******************

Really, though...the only part about this that is surprising to me is that anyone is surprised by it...it started before the Patriot Act, and really ramped up with it, but it's nothing new.

Fish on...

Todd

It was a J O K E! McCain never said it, and the source was The Onion for krisesake!!

He does need to retire.

You mean McCain didn't really say that stuff about invading Hong Kong?

Who knew?

Thanks for the heads up, I appreciate it.

Fish on...

Todd

All this scandels will drag on until they are swept under the rug

I first saw it on a link this morning from the Onion before this post was made.

I'm with Ryley and FP on this. If this story was news to you, you are part of the intentionally uninformed, which is still better than the 75% that are STILL unaware and/or would support it in the name of the children.