Indefinite Surveillance: Say Hello to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014

[Fire Walk With Me]

Last edited Fri Jun 28, 2013, 03:40 AM - Edit history (1)

http://truth-out.org/news/item/17070-indefinite-surveillance-say-hello-to-the-national-defense-authorization-act-of-2014

Passed in 1978, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) set the groundwork for surveillance, collection, and analysis of intelligence gathered from foreign powers and agents of foreign powers, up to and including any individual residing within the U.S., who were suspected of involvement in potential terrorist activity. On October 26, 2001, a little over a month after 9/11, President George W. Bush signed the USA Patriot Act into law. Two provisions, Sec. 206, permitting government to obtain secret court orders allowing roving wiretaps without requiring identification of the person, organization, or facility to be surveyed, and Sec. 215 authorizing government to access and obtain “any tangible thing” relevant to a terrorist investigation, transformed foreign intelligence into domestic intelligence.

NDAA 2014 builds on the powers granted by both the Patriot Act and FISA by allowing unrestricted analysis and research of captured records pertaining to any organization or individual “now or once hostile to the United States”. Under the Patriot Act, the ability to obtain “any tangible thing” eliminated any expectation of privacy. Under NDAA 2014 Sec. 1061(g)(1), an overly vague definition of captured records enhances government power and guarantees indefinite surveillance.

On May 22, 2013 the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities, one of several Armed Services Committees, met to discuss the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2014. The main subject of the hearing was Sec. 1061, otherwise known as Enhancement of Capacity of the United States Government to Analyze Captured Records. This enhancement provision of NDAA 2014 would effectively create a new intelligence agency, one with the authority to analyze information gained under the Patriot Act, FISA, and known spying programs such as PRISM.

Sec. 1061(a) authorizes the Secretary of Defense to "establish a center to be known as the 'Conflict Records Research Center'" (Center). The main purpose of the center, according to the bill text, is to create a "digital research database," one with the capability to "translate" and facilitate research on "records captured from countries, organizations and individuals, now or once hostile to the United States." The authorization also says the Center will conduct research and analysis to "increase the understanding of factors related to international relations, counterterrorism and conventional and unconventional warfare, and ultimately, enhance national security."

(More at the link.)

---

Update: The House passes it, 315-108.

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2013/roll244.xml

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. Kick

[Fire Walk With Me]

2. Kick

[Catherina]

3. the enhanced provision authorizing unlimited indefinite surveillance ...

If indefinite detention became the primary reason for opposing NDAA 2013, then the enhanced provision authorizing unlimited indefinite surveillance may fuel the most outrage against NDAA 2014. If passed in its current state, NDAA 2014 will further guarantee that people exist not only under indefinite detention and permanent war, but also under indefinite surveillance by its government.

Thank you

[galileoreloaded]

4. i just want to take this moment to say:

i love obama,
i love the NSA
i love the FBI
i love the flag
i love the IRS

i hate the terrorists, people who hate america, people occupying things, and people who are subversive, say mean things about the things I love as stated above, and drunk pedophile crack smoking speeding journalists with exploding cars and bad attitudes.

thank you.

[marions ghost]

20. And the Corporatocracy Loves You!

[Hell Hath No Fury]

5. This shouldn't sink --

it's too important.

[liberal_at_heart]

7. I agree. We must keep this one kicked.

It is without a doubt too important.

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. Kick

[Hell Hath No Fury]

8. K&R

[liberal_at_heart]

9. kick

[Fire Walk With Me]

10. Kick

[scarletwoman]

11. kick (nt)

[Fire Walk With Me]

12. A year from now, after it's been signed and activated, people will be screaming about it. Why not

scream about it now, and get it removed before it's signed into law? Here's the problem. They're going to analyze the supposedly harmless metadata. You are included. We can protest this now and eliminate it. Or bitch about metadata analysis a year from now when it's too late, when it's law and will never be made to go away.

[siligut]

14. We have also posted regarding the NSA gathering data on all Americans

And the threads sink. Maybe there is a formula, I mean other than having an extreme and generally unaccepted view, for keeping an OP kicked.

[Fire Walk With Me]

16. All I know how to do is point at bullshit and shout about it to alert others. Some choose to

not listen

[OnyxCollie]

54. There's a formula, alright.

INTERESTING! "COINTELPRO Techniques for dilution, misdirection and control of a internet forum"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=125x281170

"There are several techniques for the control and manipulation of a internet forum no matter what, or who is on it. We will go over each technique and demonstrate that only a minimal number of operatives can be used to eventually and effectively gain a control of a 'uncontrolled forum.'

Technique #1 - 'FORUM SLIDING'
If a very sensitive posting of a critical nature has been posted on a forum - it can be quickly removed from public view by 'forum sliding.' In this technique a number of unrelated posts are quietly prepositioned on the forum and allowed to 'age.' Each of these misdirectional forum postings can then be called upon at will to trigger a 'forum slide.' The second requirement is that several fake accounts exist, which can be called upon, to ensure that this technique is not exposed to the public. To trigger a 'forum slide' and 'flush' the critical post out of public view it is simply a matter of logging into each account both real and fake and then 'replying' to prepositined postings with a simple 1 or 2 line comment. This brings the unrelated postings to the top of the forum list, and the critical posting 'slides' down the front page, and quickly out of public view. Although it is difficult or impossible to censor the posting it is now lost in a sea of unrelated and unuseful postings. By this means it becomes effective to keep the readers of the forum reading unrelated and non-issue items.

Technique #2 - 'CONSENSUS CRACKING'
A second highly effective technique (which you can see in operation all the time at www.abovetopsecret.com ) is 'consensus cracking.' To develop a consensus crack, the following technique is used. Under the guise of a fake account a posting is made which looks legitimate and is towards the truth is made - but the critical point is that it has a VERY WEAK PREMISE without substantive proof to back the posting. Once this is done then under alternative fake accounts a very strong position in your favour is slowly introduced over the life of the posting. It is IMPERATIVE that both sides are initially presented, so the uninformed reader cannot determine which side is the truth. As postings and replies are made the stronger 'evidence' or disinformation in your favour is slowly 'seeded in.' Thus the uninformed reader will most like develop the same position as you, and if their position is against you their opposition to your posting will be most likely dropped. However in some cases where the forum members are highly educated and can counter your disinformation with real facts and linked postings, you can then 'abort' the consensus cracking by initiating a 'forum slide.'

Technique #3 - 'TOPIC DILUTION'
Topic dilution is not only effective in forum sliding it is also very useful in keeping the forum readers on unrelated and non-productive issues. This is a critical and useful technique to cause a 'RESOURCE BURN.' By implementing continual and non-related postings that distract and disrupt (trolling ) the forum readers they are more effectively stopped from anything of any real productivity. If the intensity of gradual dilution is intense enough, the readers will effectively stop researching and simply slip into a 'gossip mode.' In this state they can be more easily misdirected away from facts towards uninformed conjecture and opinion. The less informed they are the more effective and easy it becomes to control the entire group in the direction that you would desire the group to go in. It must be stressed that a proper assessment of the psychological capabilities and levels of education is first determined of the group to determine at what level to 'drive in the wedge.' By being too far off topic too quickly it may trigger censorship by a forum moderator.

Technique #4 - 'INFORMATION COLLECTION'
Information collection is also a very effective method to determine the psychological level of the forum members, and to gather intelligence that can be used against them. In this technique in a light and positive environment a 'show you mine so me yours' posting is initiated. From the number of replies and the answers that are provided much statistical information can be gathered. An example is to post your 'favourite weapon' and then encourage other members of the forum to showcase what they have. In this matter it can be determined by reverse proration what percentage of the forum community owns a firearm, and or a illegal weapon. This same method can be used by posing as one of the form members and posting your favourite 'technique of operation.' From the replies various methods that the group utilizes can be studied and effective methods developed to stop them from their activities.

Technique #5 - 'ANGER TROLLING'
Statistically, there is always a percentage of the forum posters who are more inclined to violence. In order to determine who these individuals are, it is a requirement to present a image to the forum to deliberately incite a strong psychological reaction. From this the most violent in the group can be effectively singled out for reverse IP location and possibly local enforcement tracking. To accomplish this only requires posting a link to a video depicting a local police officer massively abusing his power against a very innocent individual. Statistically of the million or so police officers in America there is always one or two being caught abusing there powers and the taping of the activity can be then used for intelligence gathering purposes - without the requirement to 'stage' a fake abuse video. This method is extremely effective, and the more so the more abusive the video can be made to look. Sometimes it is useful to 'lead' the forum by replying to your own posting with your own statement of violent intent, and that you 'do not care what the authorities think!!' inflammation. By doing this and showing no fear it may be more effective in getting the more silent and self-disciplined violent intent members of the forum to slip and post their real intentions. This can be used later in a court of law during prosecution.

Technique #6 - 'GAINING FULL CONTROL'
It is important to also be harvesting and continually maneuvering for a forum moderator position. Once this position is obtained, the forum can then be effectively and quietly controlled by deleting unfavourable postings - and one can eventually steer the forum into complete failure and lack of interest by the general public. This is the 'ultimate victory' as the forum is no longer participated with by the general public and no longer useful in maintaining their freedoms. Depending on the level of control you can obtain, you can deliberately steer a forum into defeat by censoring postings, deleting memberships, flooding, and or accidentally taking the forum offline. By this method the forum can be quickly killed. However it is not always in the interest to kill a forum as it can be converted into a 'honey pot' gathering center to collect and misdirect newcomers and from this point be completely used for your control for your agenda purposes."

[siligut]

56. You are my new favorite poster

In hindsight, I have seen all of these methods used on DU. Moderators armed with this list of techniques, could identify possible manipulators. But for now, how about making this an OP?

[OnyxCollie]

60. It's already been an OP.

Possible manipulators, armed with this list of techniques, could become moderators.

[siligut]

61. Are you referring to the OP on DU2 that you linked to?

This bears repeating, and often. Awareness of the techniques used to manipulate is the best defense against it. We have way too many newish posters now using these techniques.

[avaistheone1]

19. The story needs visibility first. I don't think most people know about it.

It doesn't seem part of the public discussion.

The media frames the story for simpletons as: Snowden: Hero or Traitor.
They are not talking about what is at stake in terms civil rights, the Constitution and the quality of life in this country.
The media isn't really given must attention at all to this bill.

[HiPointDem]

27. +1. and they lie. 'they can't get your phone conversations without a warrant from a court'.

such lying bullshit.

[marions ghost]

45. I'm for screaming now

absolutely agree. We want to protest this immediately.

[kenny blankenship]

58. A year from now, people will be screaming It's YOUR fault!

You should have stopped it by phoning your Congressional Representative! You should have written President Obama and begged him not to sign it! It's YOUR fault this happened because you weren't supportive enough! You should have clapped harder.

For the record: my Rep is John Lewis. He doesn't need me to call his office to tell him to oppose shit like this. He knows. On the other hand, if he agrees to something horrible, it's only after a bunch of armtwisting and it was going to pass anyway.

[morningfog]

59. No, a year from now, they will be saying "THis is old news!1!1 Blargh!"

[Fire Walk With Me]

13. This conversation must be started.

[Gin]

15. Kick

[rusty fender]

17. Kick

[snot]

18. K&R'd & bookmarked!

[Comrade Grumpy]

21. We need to mobilize against this crap.

I think it's time for mass action to re-emerge. The political system is unresponsive, and needs the shit scared out of it.

[TheKentuckian]

22. It never, ever stops!

[sabrina 1]

23. And we thought all those Bush 'laws' were going to go away after 2008.

So, what do we do now?

[Fire Walk With Me]

24. That is the best question. n/t

[siligut]

55. Snowden indicated that he thought Obama would stop it

And because Obama failed to do so, he decided he had to act on it himself.

[Fire Walk With Me]

25. Kick

[HiPointDem]

26. kr

[Democracyinkind]

28. I wish there was a politician brave enough

to call GWOT the money-and rights grabbing scheme it really is.

Obviously we just don't fucking care about it. Maybe that makes us deserving of it. If this is what the people want, so be it. Makes me glad to be out of there (not that that solves anything in particular. But escaping the madness does have its merits.)

[HiPointDem]

32. what's gwot?

[Democracyinkind]

33. GWOT.

"Global War on Terror"

I bet they paid some PR-contractor millions of dollars for that term.

(I should have written in it in all caps to make it clear.)

Although the term might actually be appropriate... "Global War OF Terror" is an apt description of what this country is doing.

[HiPointDem]

34. thanks.

[99th_Monkey]

42. You forgot "Perpetual"

or maybe "endless" ... as in Perpetual/Endless Global War on Terror.

We can't afford for wars to have any "exit strategy" or end to them;
without an "enemy out there" all this police state stuff would NOT be
tolerated for one week. We are being bamboozled.

This is the ultimate "racket" ... as in "war is a racket"

[MotherPetrie]

29. kick

[Poll_Blind]

30. K&R!

PB

[AzDar]

31. ...

[Fire Walk With Me]

35. Imperative kick

[HiPointDem]

36. k

[Fire Walk With Me]

37. The House has just passed it; link in the OP.

[99th_Monkey]

38. This is just the kind of "big government" we DON'T need any more of.

The last DU OP string i was on, was someone with their hair on fire because
"Social Security disability )SSI) program is going broke!!!!".

Then I come to this OP where our "big government" is lavishing untold
billions of tax revenues on ever-more-invasive violations of citizens
rights under the US. To add insult to injury, the citizen who paid the damn
taxes in the first place to the government, is being literally used to spy on
and eventually enslave our own selves in a draconian National Security State.

[Fire Walk With Me]

39. Yep. And the surveillance state budget is something around $1 trillion a year, with about

$100 billion going to DHS every year (a trillion spent by them alone over the last ten years).

It's a real nice cash-cow gig if you can get it. Endless budget, no "exit strategy", limitless fun!

[99th_Monkey]

41. Does that count the Pentagon's black-hole budget?

I know the Pentagon has some kind of super secret "special forces" psy-ops
installations that reportedly "lost" about $1 trillion awhile ago, and it's still
unaccounted for, as far as I know.

I found this SF Chronicle article from back 2003, when Shrub was in the WH.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Military-waste-under-fire-1-trillion-missing-2616120.php

Maybe that $1 trillion is how much they loose annually? The thing is, nobody can even dane
to ask these kinds of questions of late, without raising suspicions that you're a "domestic
terrorist" or some such rot.

Hard telling where this might all lead, "interesting times" for sure.

[newfie11]

40. KICK!!!!!!! nt

[Fire Walk With Me]

43. I for one do not welcome our new indefinite surveillance overlords. It passed the House! n/t

[RainDog]

44. kick n/t

[warrprayer]

46. k&r

...

[woo me with science]

47. This is important.

This is outrageous.

This needs to stay on top.

[woo me with science]

48. Kick. Important.

[sibelian]

49. K+R

[Blue_In_AK]

50. K&R

[grasswire]

51. kick

let's keep this going through July 4!

No ducks and tape though

[woo me with science]

52. kick

[LuvNewcastle]

53. K&R

This one's important.

[ohheckyeah]

57. K&R

Once the government gets a power it never goes away - it gets expanded and goes on forever.

[Fire Walk With Me]

62. Kick

[Fire Walk With Me]

63. All Americans need to know this. The hole is being dug ever deeper. n/t

[woo me with science]

64. kick

[woo me with science]

65. kick

[Octafish]

66. Military Industrial Protection Act

That is, if gathermint had to follow truth in advertising laws.

On May 22, 2013 the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities, one of several Armed Services Committees, met to discuss the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2014. The main subject of the hearing was Sec. 1061, otherwise known as Enhancement of Capacity of the United States Government to Analyze Captured Records. This enhancement provision of NDAA 2014 would effectively create a new intelligence agency, one with the authority to analyze information gained under the Patriot Act, FISA, and known spying programs such as PRISM.

Sec. 1061(a) authorizes the Secretary of Defense to "establish a center to be known as the 'Conflict Records Research Center'" (Center). The main purpose of the center, according to the bill text, is to create a "digital research database," one with the capability to "translate" and facilitate research on "records captured from countries, organizations and individuals, now or once hostile to the United States." The authorization also says the Center will conduct research and analysis to "increase the understanding of factors related to international relations, counterterrorism and conventional and unconventional warfare, and ultimately, enhance national security."

[liberal_at_heart]

67. kick

[Oilwellian]

68. I hate fascists

More than half of the Dems voted for this piece of shit. Louis Gohmert voted against it. Now isn't that some shit? LOL

K&R