Congress' Response To Leaks? Stop Contractors From Access To Classified Material Rather Than Stop NSA Spying

from the closing-the-wrong-door dept

Fri, Jun 14th 2013 8:19am — Mike Masnick

Ah, Congress. It appears that it's moving fast in response to the revelations, leaked by NSA contractor Ed Snowden, that the NSA is scooping up a ridiculous amount of digital data about all of us. But that atypically fast response is not about stopping the NSA from this overaggressive collection of data. No, it's to try to ban contractors from having access to highly classified material. This is straight out of Senator Dianne Feinstein's playbook: focus on demonizing the action of whistleblowing, rather than what was revealed by the whistleblower. And, of course, as always, that's a really stupid move. It may generate some headlines, but it does nothing to deal with the underlying problem of abuse of the law (which has been done with full knowledge of Feinstein) or the fact that plenty of people have access to this information. Locking out contractors won't stop the next insider from leaking information -- and it will actually likely inhibit the NSA from using the best technical talent out there in building and maintaining its computer systems. Either way, it's a weak attempt at treating the symptom, rather than the actual problem.

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Filed Under: congress, contractors, ed snowden, nsa, nsa leaks, surveillance

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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:21am

I'm glad the people have a say in this democracy.....oh wait.
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- Not an Electronic Rodent (profile), 14 Jun 2013 @ 10:02am
  
  Re:
  I'm glad the people have a say in this democracy.....oh wait.
  Did the "oh wait" refer to the say or the democracy? Could go either way...
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
That One Guy (profile), 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:21am

'Either way, it's a weak attempt at treating the symptom, rather than the actual problem.'

No, it actually makes perfect sense when you look at it from their point of view.

They don't consider any of the NSA's actions(with the exception of being caught anyway) to be wrong, whereas they do consider the people finding out what the government is doing a serious problem, so by making it harder for such leaks to occur in the future, while not impeding the NSA or other similar agencies in the slightest, they are indeed addressing the only 'problem' they care about.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:23am

Dear Congress
Dear Congress,

This is why the vast majority of Americans think you suck - it's because you clearly DO.

With as much respect as you seem to give us (read: none),
The American People
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- Internet Zen Master (profile), 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:45am
  
  Re: Dear Congress
  Seriously, Congress' approval rating is down to 10%. That's the lowest it's been... well... ever. (That said, Congress has never had an approval rating of over 50%).
  
  Gallup's poll has a 3% margin of error, so yeah... American really does not like Congress right now.
  
  Why do we keep voting these idiots in again?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:33am

Ah, Congress.

I love it when you start an article with this "Ah, ______" nonsense. Nothing says, "I'm a chubby, dishonest douche nozzle" more than that.

Milkity, Milk, Chubby. Bawk! Bawk! No one's more scared of honest, direct discussion than you, Mikey. No one. Biggest fake on earth! Congrats!
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- That One Guy (profile), 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:38am
  
  Post link, hit report, and move on people, don't feed the troll
  http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120818/01171420087/funniestmost-insightful-comments-week-techdirt .shtml#c1210
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:50am
    
    Re: Post link, hit report, and move on people, don't feed the troll
    ROFLMAO!!!!! I fucking love it when you guys post that link.
    
    Mike is such a dishonest scumbag that all he has are excuses, excuses, excuses as to why he can't have even one honest discussion about even the simplest topic.
    
    Post that link all you want. Nothing makes me laugh more than that. Well, Mike's dishonest nature makes me laugh pretty damn hard too. Not sure if it's more though.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:52am
      
      Re: Re: Post link, hit report, and move on people, don't feed the troll
      How does it feel when your posts get collapsed because, well, they suck so badly?
      
      Do you fucking love that?
      
      POS troll. Your mother would be so proud...if she could read.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:55am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Post link, hit report, and move on people, don't feed the troll
        I actually love how you guys are so desperate and stupid that you must immediately hide anything that challenges your Chubby Leader. It cracks me up how you censor me and then argue until the end of time that it's not censorship. It's the icing on the cake that is TD. I fucking love it. Nothing proves what a bunch of clueless dipshits you guys are better than when you "report" anything you don't like. I fucking live for it.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:58am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Post link, hit report, and move on people, don't feed the troll
        I'll just say this:
        
        In most of the "copyright loving" websites, your posts are moderated and often don't even show up unless they sing the song.
        
        Here at least you get to assault our senses until we report you for being waaaaaayyyyy off-topic...also obnoxious as hell.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:02am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Post link, hit report, and move on people, don't feed the troll
        Censor away. I know how important it is for you guys to hide anything that challenges the Kook-Aid Gospel. Mike thrives on running from opposition. Of course he gives his legions the tools to do the same.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:10am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Post link, hit report, and move on people, don't feed the troll
        Ground control to Kelper-belt ego, are you in need of Vicodin?
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:41am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Post link, hit report, and move on people, don't feed the troll
        censor what?
        
        i can still read your idiocy in the reported posts.
        
        you trolls post such over the top stuff amidst so many others on the level that your posts stick out like sore thumbs even when they're not reported.
        
        but i don't believe any of it because i think you're all gimmicks just doin it for the lulz.
        
        on the other hand, maybe you're actually trolling to undermine Big Conent
        
        who can we believe? maybe the nsa knows
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 10:29am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Post link, hit report, and move on people, don't feed the troll
        I don't think he knows what censor means. He has said similar things in the past articles.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:00am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Post link, hit report, and move on people, don't feed the troll
        That is the anger talking.
        Don't waste your life on it dude.
        
        :)
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 11:43am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Post link, hit report, and move on people, don't feed the troll
        and don't you just love how upset they get, and how defensive they become, but never come back with a viable counter argument, no, but they will insult you for hurting their precious cult leaders sensibilities.
        
        It's not his fault he's bald and chubby, he's think boned. Why his skull goes all the way through !!!! just one solid lump of bone.. honest.. !!!
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:54am
    
    Re: Post link, hit report, and move on people, don't feed the troll
    If you be so kind to point me where in the source code is the link to report I would be happy to obliged, is it in an iframe somewhere, because I couldn't find it directly bellow the comment code.
    
    Even better, care to show a sample of how the reporting URL is constructed so I can get just the cid's for it and report those.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Not an Electronic Rodent (profile), 14 Jun 2013 @ 10:15am
    
    Re: Post link, hit report, and move on people, don't feed the troll
    Might I add this, this and this?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:41am
  
  Re:
  Ah, Joe. Nothing said.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:51am
    
    Re: Re:
    I'm here all day, every day. I'll discuss any issue with Mike on the merits and without weasel words. I'll answer every question to the best of my abilities and without dodging anything. Funny how Mike can't even be 1/100th that honest. Nobody is more dishonest than Mike.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:55am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      "I'm here all day, every day."
      
      Well...that's sad and pathetic.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:57am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Not even 1/100th as pathetic as the fact that Mike is the most opinionated, biggest mouthpiece on earth, yet he's completely unwilling and unable to defend anything he posts. I fucking own him. Look at how scared he is to discuss anything with me. It's awesome.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:58am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        "fucking own him. Look at how scared he is to discuss anything with me. It's awesome."
        
        Let me guess: COD player?
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:01am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        I don't know what COD is, so no. The fact is that Mike is surrounded by all his fans and sycophants. He's got all the back up. Everyone can all pile in to help him against me. He's on his own turf with every advantage. Yet, he's still too scared to discuss anything. He can't be honest. He can't be truthful. He can't discuss even the most basic issue. That's the actions of a man who is not honest. That's the actions of a man who is scared of the truth. TD is the fakest bullshit website on earth, and Mike knows it.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:05am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Ah, you want to have an honest conversation, and yet you can't spend two seconds to find out that COD is?
        
        Nice, nice.
        
        BTW, I'm done trolling you along. My project is done compiling :)
        
        Peace.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:14am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Wow, really? COD to me means cash on delivery. I can guess that you mean Call of Duty. If you want me to understand what you really mean by it, you can just tell me. But, yeah. Pretend like I'm not here for honest conversation because you use some term I'm not familiar with. That makes perfect sense. You're clearly the captain of the debate team, and I'm just so lucky you're sparing me the mental beating you're so clearly capable of. Run along, friend.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Atkray (profile), 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:44am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Maybe you should spend more time on Urban Dictionary and less time here. It might expand your horizons.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:26am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        The depths to which you have fallen are just sad. I wonder how long it will take you to grow up.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 10:32am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
        If you mean owning him by trash talking yes. Mike has been completely respectful when he argues. You, on the other hand, do not understand what a civil discussion is.
        http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120818/01171420087/funniestmost-insightful-comments-week-tec hdirt .shtml#c1210
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:58am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Funny I was thinking the same thing.
        
        I hope Mike lives forever or at the very least longer than AJ cause if he goes first AJ will suffer horribly.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - The Real Michael, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:19am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Not when you consider that he's likely being paid to troll, spread disinfo and distract from the topic at hand, similar to how the mainstream media has gone on its predictable crusade to demonize and ridicule Snowden as being a drop-out and (get this) an anime artist. Ooh, such the villain. It's kind of ironic in that it's self-demonizing on the NSA's part. After all, who was it that hired Snowden and gave him access to files requiring high security clearance? Uh-huh.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
      
      Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 11:45am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      am glad they collapse your posts, I know straight off they are worth reading..
      
      TD censorship !!! no better way to promote your post..
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:49am
  
  Re:
  Dude you sound like a girl scorned.
  
  Doubt, issue this on your terminal
  
  Linux - Festival TTS usage:
  
  echo 'Milkity, Milk, Chubby. Bawk! Bawk!' | festival --tts
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Baldaur Regis (profile), 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:08am
  
  Re:
  Milkity, Milk, Chubby. Bawk! Bawk!
  Are these the words of a man worth talking to? Or are they the crying of an attention-starved child?
  
  As you grow into reason, you may come to understand that the unformed ego which screams ME!ME!ME! throughout both your signed and unsigned comments is the wellspring of the MINE!MINE!MINE! which winds through the dreams of greedy men.
  
  Most children grow out of the puling stage of expressing their ego, to one degree or another. My sincere hope is that those charged with your upbringing will be capable of guiding you through this difficult time of your development.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:16am
    
    Re: Re:
    These are the words of a man who has tried hundreds and hundreds of times to get Mike to have an honest conversation and who knows for a fact that nothing scares Mike more. All I have is contempt for him. He's a total fake. So much so that he lets me shit all over him on his own turf rather than simply confront me and show his minions that what I'm saying is untrue. Nothing scares Mike Masnick more than the thought of an honest and direct conversation with me. I fucking own him. Would an honest person let someone taunt him like this on his own turf? Nope. He's hiding because he's scared.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:23am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience." - Mark Twain
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        
        Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 11:47am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        "Never argue with stupid people"
        
        you must never argue with anyone then, if that rule apples to all people. you are stupid after all.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:26am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      You're a child.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 10:35am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      I will help. He had an honest discussion with you. You were just to immature to understand it.
      
      http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120818/01171420087/funniestmost-insightful-comments-week-t echdirt .shtml#c1210
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  - nonfer, 14 Jun 2013 @ 2:18pm
    
    Re: Re: lack of enlightenment... post age of...
    boilerplate isn't poetry or literature. by
    boilerplate i mean your lack of a life.
    development my butt.
    
    that you don't get irony/sarcasm is ironically
    reinforced by boilerplate. paraphrasing here-
    a rat will keep pushing a button that stimulates
    the pleasure center of it's brain until it dies.
    
    we all do it, one way or another. condescension
    should always be original and deserved... with
    an eye for constructivism not malicious, smug,
    joy.
    
    ad slows red button game link below
    http://www.bored.com/game/play/151368/The_Red_Button.html
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Rapnel (profile), 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:34am
  
  Re:
  I'm amused that your self-righteous nonsense is playing an especially challenging game of 'ignore the current events'.
  
  It must suck to be you to have your pathetic display of self-indignation constantly and consistently berated for the absolute farce that it is.
  
  And, to top it all off, you can't seem to recognize the difference between being censured and censored.
  
  Brav-fucking-o there captain idiot.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

out_of_the_blue, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:35am

The THOUSANDS of firms, with Google at top.
As title of article you just linked to:
"U.S. Agencies Said to Swap Data With Thousands of Firms"

But hey, you missed a quip: could have called this the "Feinstein Play", and gotten a second Wikipedia entry! Too bad I've now pre-empted you. Past your (rather low) peak, I guess.
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- TheLastCzarnian (profile), 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:45am
  
  Re: The THOUSANDS of firms, with Google at top.
  OOTB gets one thing right: Feinstein. Every stupid move from Congress seems to revolve around her. What is it with her? She seems like the perfect "Conservative Liberal", with all of her stances going back to the 1980 liberals. You know, the type Regan trounced.
  
  Now I know how conservatives feel about Bachman.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - The Real Michael, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:22am
    
    Re: Re: The THOUSANDS of firms, with Google at top.
    Are you sure? I kind of think her stances have more in common with Nazi Germany rather than "1980 liberals."
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - John Fenderson (profile), 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:53am
      
      Re: Re: Re: The THOUSANDS of firms, with Google at top.
      I agree. Feinstein doesn't even come close to looking like a liberal to me.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Jay (profile), 14 Jun 2013 @ 10:01am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: The THOUSANDS of firms, with Google at top.
        She's a neoliberal similar to Nixon. She maintains the status quo and her own paycheck through plausible deniability of government issues.
        
        I think people should be aware that even FDR would approve of her tactics until the public revolted against him. Liberalism is still a right wing ideology after all.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        The Real Michael, 14 Jun 2013 @ 1:13pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: The THOUSANDS of firms, with Google at top.
        We need to stop playing the right-vs-left political game and start looking at things from a Constitutional stance. Both sides are working to undermine our rights, polarizing the country through the illusion of choice. We must stand together as one people, indivisible, and demand that the government stop violating our rights. No other issue is more pressing than this one.
        
        If we cannot even maintain our liberties, our rights, our privacy, if we allow the government and their goon squads to walk all over us for the sake of 'national security,' we have no right calling ourselves the land of the free, home of the brave. Our Constitution will be erased and we'll fall under authoritarian rule. And we'll deserve it.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Jay (profile), 16 Jun 2013 @ 6:31am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: The THOUSANDS of firms, with Google at top.
        We need to stop playing the right-vs-left political game and start looking at things from a Constitutional stance.
        
        There isn't really a "right vs left" game here. If you look at the political spectrum, it's neoclassical ideologies battling it out, ie conservatives vs liberals. If we were to actually have left wing politics, you would have communists vs conservatives and that isn't happening.
        
        We must stand together as one people, indivisible, and demand that the government stop violating our rights. No other issue is more pressing than this one.
        
        And there's plenty of ways to do that. In particular, I'm a fan of Constitutional amendments banning the electoral college, instituting proportional representation, and allowing people to form into unions or other businesses that they enjoy.
        
        If we cannot even maintain our liberties, our rights, our privacy, if we allow the government and their goon squads to walk all over us for the sake of 'national security,' we have no right calling ourselves the land of the free, home of the brave
        
        If we understood that political inequality leads to economic inequality, I'm sure that we'd have a much better system than now. Sadly, until more people decide that they've had enough austerity, this problem will continue.
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - PRMan, 14 Jun 2013 @ 10:21am
    
    Re: Re: The THOUSANDS of firms, with Google at top.
    "Dianne Feinstein...demon"
    
    There you go, Mike. It's a lot more accurate now.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:39am

What Pedobear and the US government have in common?

They are naughty peeping toms.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:38am
  
  Re:
  I know! If Pedobear gets busted he'll go to prison, but if the government get's busted playing Pedobear they'll classify it "for the children of course".
  After that they'll murder the people who may of handled the documents. After all they don't want another BM case on their hands now do they?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous, 14 Jun 2013 @ 5:35pm
  
  Re:
  Pedobear! Yeah, baby, yeah!
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Dan, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:46am

Ah, ..
OK. This one goes right over my head... what happens next time (there is always a next time...) the leak is from an employee and not a contractor? Stop giving access to all employees? Great going...
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- Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:03am
  
  Re: Ah, ..
  The employee will be Manned.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
JJ Joseph, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:46am

Spying
Actually, I'm cool with the NSA linking up phone numbers from here to Yemen. That's what good spying is about. But then I'm not phoning Yemen every day.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:49am
  
  Re: Spying
  No. That is what lazy, invasive spying is about.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:53am
  
  Re: Spying
  well, who are you calling?
  
  we'd all like to know and obviously you have nothing to hide
  
  also, i'm pretty sure good spying is about not getting caught.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:46am
  
  Re: Spying
  Everyday?
  
  What days do you call?
  
  We will be watching you!
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 8:56am

I would expect no less from Senator Dianne Spystein
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:04am

And we all remember how Daniel Ellsberg worked for a private contractor
And we all remember how Daniel Ellsberg worked for a private contractor. Why didn't the government do this sooner to stop leaks?

(hint, Ellsberg didn't work for a private contractor, he worked for the Pentagon)
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Zakida Paul (profile), 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:07am

So much trollish idiocy.

Must keep reminding...

"I may not agree with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it".
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:30am

When the rodents are everywhere in congress is time to call the cat.

http://lovemeow.com/2013/06/morris-the-cat-runs-for-mayor-in-mexico/
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:47am

you've gotta be fucking kiddin' me!! even after this, the lazy fuckers still dont want to do the job they were elected to do!! i can see some serious shit happening here! mind you, as the military is at the beck and call of government, knocking off a few hundred civilians will soon stop any sort of backlash!!
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- The Real Michael, 14 Jun 2013 @ 1:21pm
  
  Re:
  Like hell it would! Nothing would set off a firestorm faster than the government openly killing Americans. I wouldn't be sacred, I'd be PISSED.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - The Real Michael, 14 Jun 2013 @ 1:22pm
    
    Re: Re:
    *scared
    
    I tend to type too fast.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 9:59am

Completely impractical idea. Most agencies run with a heavy amount of contractor support. Blocking access to most of the workforce just will ensure Nothing gets done anywhere.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 10:06am
  
  Re:
  "Blocking access to most of the workforce just will ensure Nothing gets done anywhere."
  
  So business as usual..
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 10:31am
  
  Re:
  i'm cool with that.
  
  i used to be concerned that the government operated at such a snails pace with red tape and bureaucratic nonsense, but i've since come to realize this is a good thing. i prefer an government that can't can't get anything done and is employed by inferiors. it keeps OUR freedoms safe
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 10:26am

And besides, contractors never had that kind of access, anyhow
Locking out contractors�

�And besides, the contractors never even had that access to begin with��

�NSA leaker Snowden is lying, say leaders of House Intelligence Committee�, by Mike Lillis, The Hill, June 13, 2013

�.�.�. Emerging from a hearing with NSA Director Gen. Keith Alexander, Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), chairman of the Intelligence Committee, and Dutch Ruppersberger (Md.), the senior Democrat on the panel, said Edward Snowden simply wasn't in the position to access the content of the communications gathered under National Security Agency programs, as he's claimed.

"He was lying," Rogers said. "He clearly has over-inflated his position, he has over-inflated his access and he's even over-inflated what the actually technology of the programs would allow one to do. It's impossible for him to do what he was saying he could do."�.�.�.
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- Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 11:42am
  
  Re: And besides, contractors never had that kind of access, anyhow
  So the FBI and DoJ aren't going to charge him with treason or espionage? Can the United States Government charge Snowden with lying?
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  - John Fenderson (profile), 14 Jun 2013 @ 11:51am
    
    Re: Re: And besides, contractors never had that kind of access, anyhow
    If, in fact, Snowden was lying about this -- and there is very little reason to think he was at this point -- then, no. It's not illegal to lie unless you are under oath.
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    - Anonymous Coward, 15 Jun 2013 @ 3:39am
      
      Re: Re: Re: And besides, contractors never had that kind of access, anyhow
      If he was the IT guy he had access to (essentially) everything. He shouldn't have been reading it all, but he'd have access to all the networks & computers he was responsible for.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 10:55am

Maybe there needs to be a push to have Feinstein indicted for treason against the general public. Afterall, these sorts of actions are a betrayal of the trust of the public that elected her.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 11:15am

Assange's strategy seems to be working exactly as planned
I recall reading that this is the desired outcome of these kinds of leaks, according to Julian Assange. If I recall correctly, he wrote that leaks make secretive organizations more paranoid, so they cripple themselves while trying to prevent more leaks. Less secretive organizations are less affected, so they end up gaining the upper hand.
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  Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 11:52am
  
  Re: Assange's strategy seems to be working exactly as planned
  Oh so intentionally CRIPPOLING your security services in not aiding the enemy ?? so if it's not treason is sabotage !!
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  Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 11:53am
  
  Re: Assange's strategy seems to be working exactly as planned
  I wonder if the DOJ has that statement from Assange, it would be powerful evidence against Manning, and very damning.
  
  Thanks for bringing it to light.
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  Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 11:56am
  
  Re: Assange's strategy seems to be working exactly as planned
  so the truth comes out, it's not about informing the public or any such bullshit, it's about inflicting damage, and crippling defence and national security.
  
  ok, at least we know the motives, (as if we did not already).
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jun 2013 @ 1:39pm

Their talking past the "riff raff" to a certain type of people, those that dont question the "old guard"
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Anonymous, 14 Jun 2013 @ 5:38pm

Well, once data is handed over to a third party, the original holder has lost control of that data. Aren't there court decisions that say essentially that?
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Jun 2016 @ 12:53am

Three years later, average_joe is still up to his goalpost-shifting, insult-flinging strategies to pull off an "argument", and his fuckbuddy darryl is nowhere to be found.

Goddammit, average_joe. I know love comes in many forms, but you should've let the poor fuck come up for air instead of getting your rocks off! Now you've only got 70 years on the rights to his asshole!
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