General Discussion

Hekate

(100,133 posts)

46. It's way beyond any particular president at this point, isn't it?

Fri Aug 2, 2013, 03:41 PM

Aug 2013

I have wondered for some time now if each new president since Kennedy has been taken to the basement for a cozy chat. "You've got a lovely family, there, Mr. President. Be a shame if anything happened to them. We're here to serve you; now let's tell you how it really works."

I'm probably your age, and I believe you when you say that the NSA has had these capabilities for over 50 years.... The thing that sickens me most is not the behavior of the President (though I have some issues there) but that of the GOP Congress, which seems hell-bent on destroying the government's ability to right itself at all. The President proposes, but Congress disposes.

I agree about this rare opportunity to make changes-- but the GOP just wants to obstruct and destruct.

Thanks for giving us your perspective and experience.

Hekate

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Hell, I might as well say it, I used to work for the NSA [View all] 1-Old-Man Aug 2013 OP

I know exactly what you mean. BellaKos Aug 2013 #1

as I told my wife 1-Old-Man Aug 2013 #10

Well, BellaKos Aug 2013 #19

Did you somehow miss this? This was just the FIRST try: matthews Aug 2013 #67

James Bamford once said NSA = No Such Agency n/t eridani Aug 2013 #110

They're working on it Hydra Aug 2013 #22

Holy mudpie mackeral. reusrename Aug 2013 #152

Perfect example of that handy black budget: dixiegrrrrl Aug 2013 #25

I agree that budgets must... Delver Rootnose Aug 2013 #115

No. Blanks Aug 2013 #126

HA! Angelonthesidelines Aug 2013 #144

"We have let the agency grow to monstrous capability." That is the problem exactly. liberal_at_heart Aug 2013 #2

these days i call it nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #3

Yep, voting is just a Potemkin village. nt awoke_in_2003 Aug 2013 #18

Thank you for speaking up. K&R. SaveOurDemocracy Aug 2013 #4

Thank you for speaking up. n/t Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #5

I agree. dotymed Aug 2013 #6

I appreciate the risk you have taken mick063 Aug 2013 #7

I did not work for the NSA AverageMe Aug 2013 #118

Thank You For Sharing - I Worked There As Well - Agree Completely cantbeserious Aug 2013 #8

I don't see any ex-NSA employees defending the org wtmusic Aug 2013 #11

Wanda Sykes! rusty fender Aug 2013 #116

Wow. wtmusic Aug 2013 #133

I think that she basically denied that the NSA is doing anything illegal rusty fender Aug 2013 #146

Recommend! KoKo Aug 2013 #9

knr Th1onein Aug 2013 #12

Thank you for speaking up. AtheistCrusader Aug 2013 #13

This message was self-deleted by its author Maedhros Aug 2013 #14

Thanks so much for relating your informed opinion cali Aug 2013 #15

I was assigned there for 3 years when I was in the Air Force. SeattleVet Aug 2013 #16

I also agree ..... oldhippie Aug 2013 #17

Yes, fear of "Warren Tara." BellaKos Aug 2013 #26

They built an entire city out in the middle of nowhere... Blanks Aug 2013 #129

They fear us (the ones who are trying to change things). reusrename Aug 2013 #141

White men in black suits Go Vols Aug 2013 #49

Thanks to the bushes Dont call me Shirley Aug 2013 #70

The Bushes are out Vanje Aug 2013 #92

The Bushes took us there Vanje Aug 2013 #93

Exactly. n/t Raksha Aug 2013 #100

Do you think this fear of terrorists was cultivated by the government? Enthusiast Aug 2013 #117

Thanks for saying that... RevStPatrick Aug 2013 #20

Now, see, chervilant Aug 2013 #124

I worked for them too . . FairWinds Aug 2013 #21

So did I, except I worked AT the NSA while in the USAF. MineralMan Aug 2013 #23

We do know what they are up to today, thanks to the several Whistle Blowers who sabrina 1 Aug 2013 #137

No. You THINK you know what they are doing. MineralMan Aug 2013 #156

Elegant and straightforward post Hydra Aug 2013 #24

Thank you. Sure it's too big, but that train left the station decades ago. ucrdem Aug 2013 #27

There is no more pressing problem than a police state. reusrename Aug 2013 #33

Agree. Thank you. JDPriestly Aug 2013 #36

There's a connection, but it's not what you think it is. ucrdem Aug 2013 #38

I'm curious what a police state would look like. reusrename Aug 2013 #57

Snowden mimi85 Aug 2013 #112

Look over THERE. Look at what RUSSIA is doing! MattSh Aug 2013 #114

OMG!! chervilant Aug 2013 #125

Do you work for the NSA too? Vanje Aug 2013 #95

Excellent sikofit3 Aug 2013 #120

Thank you. I know we are correct but we keep getting shouted down. reusrename Aug 2013 #138

Voting rihgts and election transparency are meaningless as is a budget JDPriestly Aug 2013 #41

How do you think George Deukmejian became governor of CA in 1983? ucrdem Aug 2013 #45

Obama will not be running in 2016. JDPriestly Aug 2013 #52

Yes we need a fresh face & a fresh agenda marions ghost Aug 2013 #78

The only thing that gives me any hope at all Vanje Aug 2013 #96

I am afraid the PTB will run Clinton against Christie. At best you'll get four rhett o rick Aug 2013 #140

And remember this program started under a bush Dont call me Shirley Aug 2013 #71

Yes. Vanje Aug 2013 #97

And the new Admin liked it so well they decided to keep it. rhett o rick Aug 2013 #142

The Freedom of Information Act fixed a lot of such problems with our government Kolesar Aug 2013 #51

"Decades ago"? Didn't you say somewhere that you are 25? nt Waiting For Everyman Aug 2013 #55

Unbelievable. Vanje Aug 2013 #94

Calling Snowden "Snowball" reflects on your credibility. But I guess that train already left the rhett o rick Aug 2013 #139

most here are capable of dealing with both NSA spying and other issues such as budget nashville_brook Aug 2013 #149

I'm glad to have your experience added to the mix. reusrename Aug 2013 #28

I see that there are quite a few here who get the picture. n/t BellaKos Aug 2013 #31

It is not too late marions ghost Aug 2013 #79

20 years ahead Hydra Aug 2013 #163

50 years later and you still get briefings as to exactly what the NSA is doing today? tridim Aug 2013 #29

What a peculiarly silly thing to say. Of course not. 1-Old-Man Aug 2013 #37

Why is it silly? tridim Aug 2013 #43

Silly because if you had read the posting with any comprehension you'd have seen ... 1-Old-Man Aug 2013 #44

Did you read the OP? Even those of us who have NEVER worked at the NSA nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #62

EVERYTHING is "far more sophisticated" than it was 50 years ago. tridim Aug 2013 #76

Because I researched the programs nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #82

"It can be turned into something you will recognized in a matter of hours." FSogol Aug 2013 #91

I'm asking why you accept the OP's claim as fact. tridim Aug 2013 #121

Let's examine the claims shall we? nadinbrzezinski Aug 2013 #135

So what, exactly, is he to prove? mick063 Aug 2013 #101

that awkward moment when your brain says -->> "No one thinks that." and, you're not on a RW site. nashville_brook Aug 2013 #81

lerp - like derp, only different reusrename Aug 2013 #134

love it -- ! nashville_brook Aug 2013 #136

Crikey, that was quick! reusrename Aug 2013 #157

clearly, Lerp's time has come. nashville_brook Aug 2013 #160

O, good grief! chervilant Aug 2013 #127

So let's guess your point! Since the phones have changed the NSA wouldnt spy on us. rhett o rick Aug 2013 #143

My point is the OP doesn't know anything more than anyone else about the NSA today. tridim Aug 2013 #155

I am disappointed that you believe it's necessary to inform us of this. rhett o rick Aug 2013 #159

K&R. Thank you for speaking out. think Aug 2013 #30

A guy says "Have you heard... " NSA Employee "Yes". jtuck004 Aug 2013 #32

In what way exactly will a passage of "restrictive laws" have any effect. Clapper lied to the Senate AnotherMcIntosh Aug 2013 #34

Chilling ... Isn't it? wavesofeuphoria Aug 2013 #63

K&R. Thanks. It isn't about this president or that. JDPriestly Aug 2013 #35

It's about this president, make no mistake. ucrdem Aug 2013 #39

Really!? This started under bush. Dont call me Shirley Aug 2013 #72

Obama Vanje Aug 2013 #98

They arent as narrow focused as you. Why dont you just post, "It isnt Obama's fault." nm rhett o rick Aug 2013 #145

Defending the Constitution is all Manning and Snowden are doing. Unlike those that persecute them. grahamhgreen Aug 2013 #40

K&R MotherPetrie Aug 2013 #42

It's way beyond any particular president at this point, isn't it? Hekate Aug 2013 #46

Did you notice Pres. Carter's TheJames Aug 2013 #86

Thanks for sharing your experience nt steve2470 Aug 2013 #47

Here's my question then. SheilaT Aug 2013 #48

Sadly the answer is quite obvious. For one reason or another someone wanted it to go forward. Ford_Prefect Aug 2013 #64

K & R !!! WillyT Aug 2013 #50

Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Aug 2013 #53

Thank you .... sabrina 1 Aug 2013 #54

K&R Very few people have any idea just how far this kind of thing goes. Egalitarian Thug Aug 2013 #56

Dial it back? DeSwiss Aug 2013 #58

One old man to another. sgtbenobo Aug 2013 #59

A sincere thank you for this post! k&r n/t markpkessinger Aug 2013 #60

You are legion-- which gives me hope carolinayellowdog Aug 2013 #61

Read my sig line! n-t Logical Aug 2013 #65

Thank you so very much. Coming from one who knows the truth and has actually matthews Aug 2013 #66

This message was self-deleted by its author felix_numinous Aug 2013 #68

The ethics of "Jurassic Park".... Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2013 #69

Until otherwise proven, I'm convinced Greenwald is dangerous. SleeplessinSoCal Aug 2013 #73

Um. Vanje Aug 2013 #99

uh no. But Libertarians are. SleeplessinSoCal Aug 2013 #111

They can't monitor messengers with Gman Aug 2013 #74

Would that be toilet paper? Auntie Bush Aug 2013 #83

I believe rice paper is preferred. Gman Aug 2013 #87

Frank Church warned us about the implications of using NSA technology on Americans in 1976. Octafish Aug 2013 #75

Roe vs Wade was about privacy, and that is at the alfredo Aug 2013 #107

that's exactly what Frank Church said so long ago grasswire Aug 2013 #77

Thank you for these words of wisdom and experience marions ghost Aug 2013 #80

In the early 1970's I toured a phone company cable landing and briefly listened to an overseas call. Piedras Aug 2013 #84

Bravo to you..and to Snowden and Greenwald informing the world about the NSA. K&R Tierra_y_Libertad Aug 2013 #85

Ok? Grateful for Hope Aug 2013 #88

Thank you, Old-Man. nt Mnemosyne Aug 2013 #89

Well, you sent chills down my back, sir. Kablooie Aug 2013 #90

K & R - thank you for speaking up. n/t Raksha Aug 2013 #102

That day has already passed by. Amonester Aug 2013 #103

If we act, we will have to act with civil disobedience... MrMickeysMom Aug 2013 #104

As long as Money will keep Ruling politics ^^^ Amonester Aug 2013 #105

I worked for the ASA in the sixties. Eritrea. alfredo Aug 2013 #106

Thanks for starting this thread - you've already inspired some others to speak out too. nt bananas Aug 2013 #108

An excellent post. n/t DirkGently Aug 2013 #109

Kicked and Recommended. Enthusiast Aug 2013 #113

I was Army Security Agency. N_E_1 for Tennis Aug 2013 #119

"We have a very rare opportunity taking place right now to look into that Agency's operations." chimpymustgo Aug 2013 #122

well, considering that he encryption standards that exist today ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2013 #123

so glad the widespread us of encryption is putting the NSA out of business nashville_brook Aug 2013 #148

It is stored data though mick063 Aug 2013 #150

The NSA already has a backdoor into telecom encryption. reusrename Aug 2013 #153

K&R n/t myrna minx Aug 2013 #128

thank you heaven05 Aug 2013 #130

HAL 9000 has morphed into the NSA of today. nt donco Aug 2013 #131

I wouldn't defend Snowdon. BAPhill Aug 2013 #132

Of course you wouldnt. You can only see the little picture. Snowden got a parking ticket and must rhett o rick Aug 2013 #147

It Was Premeditated BAPhill Aug 2013 #158

So was the Boston Tea Party. Thank Dog our founders didnt have such narrow focus. rhett o rick Aug 2013 #161

Yes, it is a crime. and so is what the NSA is doing. His crime is small, theirs is enormous. 1-Old-Man Aug 2013 #162

The crime was committed by the Director of National Security. reusrename Aug 2013 #151

I met someone who interviewed for them. roamer65 Aug 2013 #154