some of the most basic questions about the US national security community. He seemed flabbergasted that there was no oversight, no accountability to we, the people despite what charters, offices of inspector generals, and the other so-called "safeguards" (including the House special investigatory committee he wound up chairing) existed on paper.
This was a direct result of the administration of Richard M. Nixon, which had greatly expanded illegal and criminal violations of our rights as citizens under the broad shield of national security that became criminal domestic operations at the local, state and federal level.
This was in the era of John Edgar Hoover and his personal/confidential files, the FBI's various COINTELPRO's, the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration's behavior modification operations, the CIA's domestic programs, the pentagon's involvement in domestic "surveillance", etc.
It is a direct result of no reforms that the Pike Committee called for ever being taken that we now live in a 21st century police state here in the United States of America. Those threats of retribution worked through the decades, but I'm thankful for Pike's bravery and what he attempted.
In this post-Snowden, Manning, Wiki Leaks, PATRIOT ACT friendly fascist world we find ourselves in it is time to demand our rights and our power be restored to US, the rule of law be applied to all, and not be afraid of threats of retribution any longer from the criminals operating in so called "national security".
Btw, I'm glad to see what others who care have posted in this thread. 
Edit history
Recommendations
0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):
= new reply since forum marked as read