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L0oniX

(31,493 posts)

47. "Our form of government has always been an exercise in faith" OFFS

Reply to 1StrongBlackMan (Original post)

Tue Jun 3, 2014, 07:15 PM

Jun 2014

Are you sure you are in the right country?

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I know this will, forever, brand me the NSA Defending, lackey of authoritarianism; but ... [View all] 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 OP

I believe in disinfection through sunshine. alarimer Jun 2014 #1

And yet they do nothing with that power. randome Jun 2014 #4

They've assassinated American citizens without due process for one. alarimer Jun 2014 #21

Yes, that sounds like Republicans, all right. randome Jun 2014 #29

NSA=Republican billhicks76 Jun 2014 #158

we need intelligence agencies, but they need to be on a much shorter leash. dionysus Jun 2014 #61

Unbelievable Link Today billhicks76 Jun 2014 #160

yikes. dionysus Jun 2014 #165

US Marshalls AKA Judicial Dept police AgingAmerican Jun 2014 #176

What Would They Do If We Ditched Our Cell Phones? billhicks76 Jun 2014 #180

This nation never armed Bin Laden, never trained him, never did anything including him. Ikonoklast Jun 2014 #75

Thank you. lumpy Jun 2014 #103

so tell us who Tim Osman was then? wildbilln864 Jun 2014 #142

The product of some 911 Truther's (actually two of them) fevered imagination would be my guess. hack89 Jun 2014 #191

maybe so or maybe no... wildbilln864 Jun 2014 #194

We know the CIA funneled arms and money through the ISI hack89 Jun 2014 #196

Very very little needs to be a secret? We live in a complicated, dangerous world. pnwmom Jun 2014 #10

Yep ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #16

Oh geez... gcomeau Jun 2014 #11

+1. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #17

Mind numblingly absurd is right. Whisp Jun 2014 #23

And yet the "horrified" founding fathers ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #14

+++1,000 nt kelliekat44 Jun 2014 #81

I agree Aerows Jun 2014 #99

Enough sunshine will kill everything, not just the infection. Don't forget that. nt stevenleser Jun 2014 #105

That's like really deep, man. Gravitycollapse Jun 2014 #107

I'm not the one who started the analogy. I'm using the commenters own analogy. stevenleser Jun 2014 #109

No, no, man. You like changed the way I see things. You've opened my eyes. Gravitycollapse Jun 2014 #111

You're still attacking me for another person's analogy? LMAO, welcome to my ignore list. nt stevenleser Jun 2014 #112

Oh, my mistake. Is there someone else named stevenleser here who made post 105? Gravitycollapse Jun 2014 #121

Yes, a random imposter did it AgingAmerican Jun 2014 #177

His prose is literally a Breakfast of Champions. Katashi_itto Jun 2014 #184

I had to laugh at that expression malokvale77 Jun 2014 #118

Exactly...Secrecy Breeds Corruption billhicks76 Jun 2014 #117

Nailed it! thank you! wildbilln864 Jun 2014 #144

Everyone Here Talks About Infiltrators billhicks76 Jun 2014 #146

not at all. you're spot on again AFAICT. n/t wildbilln864 Jun 2014 #151

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025046363#post9 billhicks76 Jun 2014 #159

Our security agencies should not be violating the 4th amendment, PERIOD!! cascadiance Jun 2014 #173

Wise words from a man who knows how to ski. JJChambers Jun 2014 #2

Huh? ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #19

I think he meant Aerows Jun 2014 #100

The failure is only 'perceived'? It is not absolute and undeniable? Vincardog Jun 2014 #3

I don't believe that ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #22

I'm sorry 1SBM malokvale77 Jun 2014 #124

Welcome to the political reality ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #136

I have been in the political reality... malokvale77 Jun 2014 #148

nice post, hitler. arely staircase Jun 2014 #5

Per Internet Rules ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #25

nuh uh arely staircase Jun 2014 #38

LOL. eom 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #114

So Cozy and Snug billhicks76 Jun 2014 #154

How can you hold them to account if you don't even know what they are doing? dawg Jun 2014 #6

A representative democracy does not work via mass votes or opinion polls. randome Jun 2014 #18

But how can we even make an informed vote when we aren't being told what's being done ... dawg Jun 2014 #24

I don't know. Maybe DEMAND that our representatives give us reports? randome Jun 2014 #31

And when someone is caught lying to Congress, what then? dawg Jun 2014 #32

Then it's up to Congress to decide what to do. randome Jun 2014 #36

Wrong. dawg Jun 2014 #39

Eh. So far as I know, the law says Congress must decide that they've been lied to. randome Jun 2014 #51

Nice try. dawg Jun 2014 #53

'Lie with impunity' is an inaccurate soundbite. randome Jun 2014 #83

He faced no consequences for his lie. I doubt he feared any. dawg Jun 2014 #85

Most? Who is this mythical most? raindaddy Jun 2014 #125

It is all for our own good malokvale77 Jun 2014 #130

You know, they're talking about having an adversarial rep on FISA cases. randome Jun 2014 #34

Because if the "people's rep" reported something the government didn't want reported ... dawg Jun 2014 #37

Not if the people's rep was an official position. randome Jun 2014 #45

We wouldn't even be having this conversation had he not done so. dawg Jun 2014 #50

You know why this won't work ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #59

they deceive the oversight committee already!! grasswire Jun 2014 #67

If oversight is not the solution and disbanding all intelligence agencies is not the solution... randome Jun 2014 #80

Put an end to blanket data gathering on U.S. citizens. dawg Jun 2014 #88

massive funding cuts grasswire Jun 2014 #169

Thank you ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #30

But they are deceiving those who are tasked with oversight. grasswire Jun 2014 #7

Thank you for that. vlakitti Jun 2014 #56

I won't brand you a "lackey of authoritarianism" but will respectfully disagree... mike_c Jun 2014 #8

Thank you for the reasoned response ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #42

Greetings to a lackey from a right-wing troll. Jim Lane Jun 2014 #193

NSA repeatedly misled Congress and the courts MannyGoldstein Jun 2014 #9

It's apparently fine with Congress and the courts, too! randome Jun 2014 #15

Mind blowing, but true. nt MannyGoldstein Jun 2014 #20

Hey, I'd give you a trial run at least. randome Jun 2014 #54

"Trial run"? MannyGoldstein Jun 2014 #69

At being in charge of determining what to keep secret and what to reveal. randome Jun 2014 #79

...and apparently fine with many here. L0oniX Jun 2014 #52

I don't think it makes you a permanent authoritarian... Shandris Jun 2014 #12

+ a gazillion. nt Mojorabbit Jun 2014 #96

Part of my problem is they're farming so much of the work out octoberlib Jun 2014 #13

I agree about the private contracting ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #44

There is a difference between policy and practice. Pholus Jun 2014 #26

If I understand you correctly ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #48

I strongly disagree that we DO know. Pholus Jun 2014 #181

But they're not accountable - not to our representatives and certainly not to us riderinthestorm Jun 2014 #27

Yes, but they are also supposed to respect the Fourth Amendment BainsBane Jun 2014 #28

Sorry kid Android3.14 Jun 2014 #33

Does your mommy ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #55

Not to worry. DeadLetterOffice Jun 2014 #113

My bad Android3.14 Jun 2014 #120

No, your calling a 53 year old man "kid", amuses me ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #131

On - vvv this vvv- I will agree malokvale77 Jun 2014 #137

The Ending Secret Law Act would allow transparancy. joshcryer Jun 2014 #35

The FISA court currently is a joke... It needs more transparency as well and oversight. cascadiance Jun 2014 #167

It's really the nexus for the MIC. joshcryer Jun 2014 #171

It's always good to know thyself. WinkyDink Jun 2014 #40

And it is best ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #60

Be honest with me and with yourself. dawg Jun 2014 #41

I am always honest with myself ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #62

If that's what you say. dawg Jun 2014 #64

They problem is that since 9-11 they gave up their oversight Armstead Jun 2014 #43

Okay ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #63

I'd rather abandon HS but short of that.... Armstead Jun 2014 #170

Yes, they should just rename it the Sicherheitsdienst and be done with the pretense [n/t] Maedhros Jun 2014 #161

ever think critics could be right? MisterP Jun 2014 #46

"Our form of government has always been an exercise in faith" OFFS L0oniX Jun 2014 #47

Yes ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #65

Why are we giving multiple billions of dollars to private corporations baldguy Jun 2014 #49

I agree. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #68

I believe you are wrong about that. grasswire Jun 2014 #72

I'll believe that when they start denouncing Rand Paul instead of supporting him. baldguy Jun 2014 #74

I'm sorry. Who are you talking about? grasswire Jun 2014 #76

You'll never get an answer whatchamacallit Jun 2014 #139

Just as I was about to agree with something... malokvale77 Jun 2014 #145

Claiming ignorance? That's rich. baldguy Jun 2014 #149

That is all well and good... malokvale77 Jun 2014 #150

* crickets * MrMickeysMom Jun 2014 #156

"they" malokvale77 Jun 2014 #157

No? Well�. this calls for a song... MrMickeysMom Jun 2014 #166

Thank you for that malokvale77 Jun 2014 #172

That faith has long been lost through their actions or inaction. Tierra_y_Libertad Jun 2014 #57

You are living in a dream world, I guess you also believe the police.... Logical Jun 2014 #58

No ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #71

I guess they are mostly about that. But I still do not trust them. And should not trust the NSA! n-t Logical Jun 2014 #82

There are very few entities or people that I trust ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #119

Not trusting is not fearing. I think your OP is gullible. n-t Logical Jun 2014 #122

I can live with that ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #133

No it is not. They have lied many times. And will continue to do so. n-t Logical Jun 2014 #135

Like I said ... Fear based. 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #140

Like I said, Reality based. nt Logical Jun 2014 #141

The government is corrupt and faith is for fools whatchamacallit Jun 2014 #66

So why are you on a Democratic political message board? eom. 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #73

Why not? Or are you trying to stifle discussion if it doesn't go your way? nt riderinthestorm Jun 2014 #77

Because I'm a democrat whatchamacallit Jun 2014 #132

No, but you have to believe in the political system. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #138

I still vote as I have no other voice whatchamacallit Jun 2014 #143

America has always been an Oligarchy ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #183

The source of the problem is that the NSA & CIA are operating independently of the political system. Maedhros Jun 2014 #162

bs PowerToThePeople Jun 2014 #182

K&R Dr Hobbitstein Jun 2014 #70

Actually, our form of government has never been an exercise in faith. merrily Jun 2014 #78

Imagine what he could have done with PRISM and Boundless Informant. dawg Jun 2014 #93

The &@*# did enough with index card technology and phone taps. merrily Jun 2014 #102

You finished with mentioning accountability which, incidentally, doesn't exist for the NSA. Gravitycollapse Jun 2014 #84

The 215 Section fight is the big fight...and that's 2015. What Congress will we have then? nt msanthrope Jun 2014 #86

I agree; it is not "authoritarian" to treestar Jun 2014 #87

"If they spied on all of us ..." dawg Jun 2014 #92

faith and trust heaven05 Jun 2014 #89

I agree with you. Some Americans are immensely ignorant underthematrix Jun 2014 #90

Kick for whoever was saying they'd never seen anyone defend the NSA riderinthestorm Jun 2014 #98

Feel free to give up your civil rights if that makes YOU feel safe. Maedhros Jun 2014 #164

They spy on us for our own good! AgingAmerican Jun 2014 #174

Read my post #173 in this thread... cascadiance Jun 2014 #175

Magical thinking makes me smile.... Pholus Jun 2014 #188

In other words, BHO was ignorant of or powerless to change stupidicus Jun 2014 #91

snowden is a spy and a traitor. when u work for NSA you must sign an oath underthematrix Jun 2014 #152

thanks for the less than artful, irrelevant, and dishonest dodge stupidicus Jun 2014 #189

The problem isn't that they are secrative AgingAmerican Jun 2014 #94

we'll never be able to trust the spies and the military geek tragedy Jun 2014 #95

Why are the hard liners Aerows Jun 2014 #101

maybe because you're actually listening to what we're saying nt geek tragedy Jun 2014 #106

You are a good person, GT Aerows Jun 2014 #129

That would be my position. Lack of oversight/accountability. Also, a giant money pit. KittyWampus Jun 2014 #97

It is a huge money pit Aerows Jun 2014 #104

You are absolutely correct. yallerdawg Jun 2014 #108

Hah malokvale77 Jun 2014 #153

What secret security state? yallerdawg Jun 2014 #168

? malokvale77 Jun 2014 #178

I don't vote for every representative. yallerdawg Jun 2014 #179

I live in Texas... malokvale77 Jun 2014 #197

Secrets are as antiquated as the internal combustion engine and will be long gone in the future. Lint Head Jun 2014 #110

Sorry I don't have time (or perhaps inclination) to read all the previous replies. IrishAyes Jun 2014 #115

I couldn't disagree with you more....... Swede Atlanta Jun 2014 #116

As I remember, the NSA's charter forbade it from domestic spying. That started alfredo Jun 2014 #123

You said it.. sendero Jun 2014 #126

Self-Appointed Authoritarian - Charged, Convicted And Sentenced - By Your Own Words cantbeserious Jun 2014 #127

I will submit to the keyboard lashings, now. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #186

FYI, anyone who visits DU knows PowerToThePeople Jun 2014 #128

give 'em an inch bigtree Jun 2014 #134

Sorry, but I'm not one to put Faith in the Military/National Security aparatus. As an atheist, ... stone space Jun 2014 #147

Two thumbs up to that malokvale77 Jun 2014 #155

Basically I agree that secrecy is sometimes called for. Vattel Jun 2014 #163

Thank you for your reasoned ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #187

Authoritarian now...a few more rationalizations Katashi_itto Jun 2014 #185

I already considered you and your clique as such, but thanks for stating it plainly. /nt Marr Jun 2014 #190

I have no clique. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #192

Though I disagree with you on this etherealtruth Jun 2014 #195