In the Debate About the NSA, Will Facts Trump Fear? - David Sirota

[WillyT]

In the Debate About the NSA, Will Facts Trump Fear?
David Sirota - creators.com
1/16/14

<snip>

In order to have a genuinely constructive debate, data must be compiled, evidence must be amassed and verifiable truths must be presented. This truism is particularly significant when it comes to debates about security and liberty. When public policy disputes involve such grave issues, facts are a necessity. Without facts, we get the counterproductive discourse we are being treated to right now — the one hijacked by National Security Administration defenders throwing temper tantrums, tossing out fear-mongering platitudes and trying to prevent any scrutiny of the agency.

You don't have to look far to find this sad spectacle. Tune into a national news program and you inevitably will hear pundits who have spent the last decade mindlessly cheering on wars and warrantless wiretapping now echoing the talking points emanating from surveillance-state apparatchiks like Reps. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., and Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md.

This week, these two lawmakers who head the House Intelligence Committee summarized all the bluster in a press release that should be enshrined for posterity. In an attempt to defend the NSA, the bipartisan duo breathlessly claimed that whistleblower Edward Snowden ended up "endangering each and every American" by exposing the government's mass surveillance (i.e., metadata) programs. Additionally, they insisted that "the harm to our country and its citizens will only continue to endure," they indicted Snowden's patriotism and they said his disclosures of the NSA's unlawful and unconstitutional programs "aligned him with our enemy."

If these talking points and all of their media-promoted derivatives had been backed up by a tranche of corroborating facts, you might be able to argue that they represent a productive if caustic contribution to the conversation about national security. But the facts now leaking out of the government's national security apparatus are doing the opposite. They are debunking — rather than confirming — the NSA defenders' platitudes.

Back in October, for instance, ProPublica reported...

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More: http://www.creators.com/liberal/david-sirota/in-the-debate-about-the-nsa-will-facts-trump-fear.html

[frazzled]

1. Which side's fear?

Both sides are promulgating fear. (And the observable facts are slim for both.)

For the government, it's about fear of a terrorist incident. For the anti-NSA it's about fear that big brother will find you in the midst of its billions of hourly phone records and, I don't know, do something to you.

[WillyT]

2. From Eisenhowers Farewell Address:

"We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."

Related Link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024342390

[randome]

5. Well said. There are demagogues on both sides.

Dispassionate appreciation of the facts is always warranted. No matter what.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]

[WillyT]

6. And Just How Do We Get To Those "Facts" ??? - Plus... See Post# 4...

Those "facts" you speak of, were the main thesis of Sirota's piece.

Please address them.

[Thinkingabout]

3. I do not think all the "facts" will be delivered to everyone on operations in the NSA.

Information is not normally divulged to those who does not have security clearance. I do not think many has enough information to make good decisions about their operation. One would have to have a clear level head and without prejudice so anti activist need not waste time applying. Privacy in personal lives and privacy should be respected with the NSA.

[WillyT]

4. Hell... They Don't Even Divulge Them To The Intelligence Committee...

Which is a MAJOR problem for a so called Democracy.

[Thinkingabout]

7. And if they divulged them to the Intelligence Committee how would it help you. In observing

Some of the Congressional Committees many of them should not be on committees either.