Steve Wozniak Speaks Out Against NSA Spying: This Is Not My America

from the the-woz-speaks dept

Tue, Jun 18th 2013 7:46am — Mike Masnick

The latest to speak out against NSA surveillance is "every geek's uncle," Steve Wozniak, who explained that "this is not my America." The video is worth watching: He makes a ton of great points about things that, when we were kids, we learned that the US did not do. And now, we do lots of them: spying on everyone, secret courts, secret prisons, etc.

When I was brought up, my dad taught me, other countries, when they got prisoners in a war, they tortured them. But we Americans didn't torture them.... And I was so proud of my country. And now I find out it's just the opposite. I just wish, all these things that I talk about with the Constitution -- which made us so good as people -- they're nothing. They were all dissolved with the Patriot Act. There are these laws that just sort of say we can secretly call anything terrorism and do anything we want.... And I read the Constitution, and I'm not even sure how all this stuff happened. It's so clear what the Constitution says. It's extremely clear in the Bill of Rights. One thing after another after another that got overturned. That's what a king does. A king just goes out and rounds anyone up, has them killed, put in secret prisons.

When I was brought up, we were told that Communist Russia was the ones that were going to kill us and bomb our country and all this. And Communist Russia was so bad because they followed their people, they snooped on them, they arrested them, they put them in secret prisons, they disappeared them. These kinds of things were part of Russia. We're getting more and more like that....

It's a bit hyperbolic, but more and more people are beginning to recognize how problematic the governments' actions have been of late.

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Filed Under: constitution, nsa, nsa surveillance, spying, steve wozniak

44 Comments

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BearGriz72 (profile), 18 Jun 2013 @ 7:33am

The Woz FTW!
I endorse this statement!
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Zakida Paul (profile), 18 Jun 2013 @ 7:48am

I am reminded of this song as I read the article

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1aQruNQaL0
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GeneralEmergency (profile), 18 Jun 2013 @ 7:55am

The Woz is right.
.

This is not my America either.

As a conservative, I loathe The Patriot Act. Not only for what it has done to my Country, but also for the absolute lie of the name itself.

It should have been called The Tyranny Act.

.
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- Anonymous Coward, 18 Jun 2013 @ 9:26am
  
  Re: The Woz is right.
  It's awakening to remind oneself of the ominous feeling that pervasive surveillance once gave Americans. I highly recommend taking some time and watching political thrillers from the cold war era.
  I recently watched Alfred Hitchcock's 'Torn Curtain' (1966). It was eerie to feel the dread that Hitchcock invoked in portraying the soviet surveillance state - And then to realize that the country I currently live in is so much more invasive than that.
  It's surreal to be a frog in boiling water and feel pity for those in uncomfortably hot water.
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- Niall (profile), 19 Jun 2013 @ 4:48am
  
  Re: The Woz is right.
  it's part of the truism where names often mean the opposite.
  
  "People's" Republic of China
  "Democratic" German Republic
  Anything in the US with 'Family' in the name.
  "Defense" of Marriage Act
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Ninja (profile), 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:04am

It's a bit hyperbolic

Until it becomes reality. Sadly.
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This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

Anonymous Coward, 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:06am

Oh Mikey,

You can't block me. Why are you trying so hard to censor me? What are you so scared of?

LMAO @ Mike, censoring and playing whac-a-mole while he chastises others for doing the same.
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Masnick = Total Coward, 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:09am

It's a bit hyperbolic

Just like you, Mikey!!

Here's some milk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GIKpP7fdGs

You block me more, I post more. It's simple, Mikey.

You know it's futile to do, so why are you trying?

Why are you so scared of me? Why the hypocrisy?
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- Anonymous Coward, 18 Jun 2013 @ 9:12am
  
  Re:
  If I'm reading this, how are you blocked? You realize how much like a "crazed lunatic who is obsessed with Mike" you sound like right now, don't you? Are you stalking him? Your behavior seems to be based on bullying, lies, and intimidation and are very reminiscent of TERRORISM. Perhaps a visit from DHS would change your tune.
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- Donglebert the Needlessly Obtuse, 18 Jun 2013 @ 10:16am
  
  Re:
  Given that you claim permission keeps being withdrawn from you, surely, technically, you're accessing a website without permission?
  
  Isn't that an offence punishable by a few years in prison?
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John Doe, 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:09am

I commented here, is the NSA now tracking me?
I have to say, I agree with everything he said (at least what you quoted, didn't watch the video).

But now that I have commented here, am I on the not-so-secret anymore NSA watch list? Wait, we are all on the list.
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- John Fenderson (profile), 18 Jun 2013 @ 10:16am
  
  Re: I commented here, is the NSA now tracking me?
  Naw, they were tracking you before you ever commented here.
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Jennifer C, 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:09am

To know vs not to know
Don't forget: Bin Laden might have killed 3k people because the government didn't have access to certain information, but the Nazi's killed 6 million people because that government did!
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- Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:17am
  
  Re: To know vs not to know
  And Godwin'd already. Can we at least have some variety? Go for Stalin or Mao next time.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:31am
    
    Re: Re: To know vs not to know
    Stuff your internet meme. The point still stands, whether it was NAZI Germany, Soviet Russia, Communist China, or whoever; these levels of authority and power always lead to a lot of misery for people everywhere.
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    - Niall (profile), 19 Jun 2013 @ 4:52am
      
      Re: Re: Re: To know vs not to know
      Welcome to the United Stasi of America, from the Unprincipled Kingdom.
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  - dennis deems (profile), 18 Jun 2013 @ 9:05am
    
    Re: Re: To know vs not to know
    From dear old WikiP:
    Godwin's law applies especially to inappropriate, inordinate, or hyperbolic comparisons of other situations (or one's opponent) with Nazis � often referred to as "playing the Hitler card". The law and its corollaries would not apply to discussions covering known mainstays of Nazi Germany such as genocide, eugenics, or racial superiority, nor, more debatably, to a discussion of other totalitarian regimes or ideologies, if that was the explicit topic of conversation, since a Nazi comparison in those circumstances may be appropriate, in effect committing the fallacist's fallacy.
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- Niall (profile), 19 Jun 2013 @ 4:51am
  
  Re: To know vs not to know
  Using info collected using IBM computers. Go Capitalism! However, I'm pretty sure they could have done similar without 'special' information.
  
  And Hitler had years to do what he wanted because not enough people were opposing him.
  
  I'm also pretty sure your government did have access to certain information, it just couldn't cross departmental fiefdoms to join the dots.
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:13am

'more people are beginning to recognize how problematic the governments' actions'....are

i think changing 'problematic' for something like 'disgraceful, two faced, double standard, paranoid, and any one of a hundred others describes what the USA has changed to. it certainly is NOT the nation that believes in 'freedom and privacy' above all else any more, the exact opposite is nearer the mark!!
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Lurker Keith, 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:13am

video won't load
I had to follow the link to watch the video.

I have Windows 7 & IE10. YouTube videos normally play.

Kinda unrelated, but most of the time, I have to be in Compatibility Mode to get the insightful, funny & report buttons to display. Been debating reporting this or not. I say most of the time because it is hit & miss: sometimes they display normally, but the majority of others I have to hit the Compatibility icon. I know this is probably due to IE10.
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- Lurker Keith, 18 Jun 2013 @ 10:40am
  
  Re: video won't load
  The video is loading for me now.
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This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

out_of_the_blue, 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:14am

What happened? We let The Born Rich take over.
This is not surprising. Every nation lets people accumulate money (not necessarily wealth, but the power of FIAT MONEY) without limit, and inevitably those people believe themselves not just superior, but different in kind, entitled to rule.

Wozniak may be a good guy -- and I distinguish him as Working Rich from BORN Rich -- but his Born Rich kids will INEVITABLY be tyrants to whatever degree their ambition takes them. Best we can hope for is they just squander resources instead of turn to active tyranny as the Rockefellers, Rothschilds, Fords, Carnegie, the Germans masquerading as British, and far too many others do.

You'd think that by now humanity would have learned the pattern, but it goes on. -- So in some sense that technology has now advanced to where the human race might wipe itself out is a relief. -- Not that I'm for it. I just wish people could be reasonable, stop going along with tyranny, content themselves with perfecting trifles, stop squandering natural resources, stop breeding like rabbits, and so on...
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- Anonymous Coward, 18 Jun 2013 @ 10:14am
  
  Re: What happened? We let The Born Rich take over.
  There's really no reason for this comment to be reported. I mean, I see who it's from, and I know he has earned a certain reputation around here, but in the interest of rewarding good behavior and punishing only bad behavior I have marked his comment "insightful" because I would like to encourage this particular poster to continue to provide comments of at least this quality into the future.
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  - John Fenderson (profile), 18 Jun 2013 @ 10:18am
    
    Re: Re: What happened? We let The Born Rich take over.
    I emphatically agree. Comments should be flagged or not based on what they say, not on who's doing the saying.
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    - Tim Edwards, 18 Jun 2013 @ 11:12am
      
      Re: Re: Re: What happened? We let The Born Rich take over.
      I also tagged OOTB's comment as insightful since it was actually on topic. I think that post has a fair share of merit to it as a point of view.
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The Real Michael, 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:17am

This government is sliding down into tyranny. They blatantly disregard the Constitution and Bill of Rights, hence disregard the people those documents were designed to protect. People are waking up to all the lies, the propaganda and manipulation that they're being spoon-fed. After all, what makes us Americans exceptional, what gives us unique standing in the world if not the freedoms we enjoy?
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- Anonymous Coward, 18 Jun 2013 @ 9:07am
  
  Re:
  You're the last person I'd want as an advocate for freedom.
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- Niall (profile), 19 Jun 2013 @ 4:55am
  
  Re:
  What makes you 'exceptional' is the amount up your own arses you are about how wonderful you are. I know people tend to brag about their own nationality, but the nations that try to codify it into their laws and culture tend to be the least democratic...
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jupiterkansas (profile), 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:21am

Woz is right! Our government is doing everything I was raised to believe was wrong for the vaguest reasons possible.
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Masnick = Censor, 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:31am

What does Mike do when challenged on the merits? Well, he attempts to block the IP addresses of the person challenging him! Of course! The guy who laughs at others for censoring and playing whac-a-mole does it himself. Would you expect anything else from Mike? Of course not! Hypocrisy is one of his several middle names.

I'm still here, Mikey? See how well that blocking works? LOL!
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:32am

Bawk bawk!! Cluck cluck!!

Censor and block!! Don't discuss the merits!! Run away!!

LMAO @ Pirate Mike.
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- James (profile), 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:41am
  
  Re:
  Who the heck are you, and what is your problem?
  
  I generally avoid feeding the trolls ... but I'm genuinely curious.
  
  What merits, exactly, do you think Mike is avoiding?
  How should they be addressed?
  Is it your contention that we should ignore the issue of governmental monitoring?
  
  If you don't have a coherent point to make, then go away. If you're willing to discuss the issue, or make a cogent argument as to why the issue shouldn't be discussed, say your piece.
  
  Or keep sniping, being the annoying gadfly that does little more than annoy the participants here.
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  - Zakida Paul (profile), 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:49am
    
    Re: Re:
    You ruined it. We were doing so well not responding to the troll ;)
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    - Anonymous Coward, 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:59am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      At the rate average_joe's trying to get his wife excited by posting naughty things on the Internet, it looks like there's going to be a population boom of little trolls.
      
      Our only hope now is that the lineage kills itself through inbreeding.
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    - Anonymous Howard (profile), 19 Jun 2013 @ 3:46am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      There is always one who give in to the temptation :]
      
      But the trend in the latest week is promising. Sooner or later we starve them.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 18 Jun 2013 @ 6:26pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Save your breath, James, you can't help him. He's.... he's an asshole. I'm so sorry.
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:48am

the only ones that disagree with what he has said are those that are engaged in the practices and abuses he describes! not all progress is for the better! what is happening in the USA definitely isn't! and just as bad, more countries are being forced, under threats of sanctions and/or being put on the dreaded '301 list', the most ridiculous thing any government could do in support of an industry that isn't worth as toss, to join it!
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Jun 2013 @ 8:53am

I've said it before. I don't recognize this country as the one I grew up in and put my ass on the line for. Nor do I like what it has become.
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Wolfy, 18 Jun 2013 @ 9:26am

To engage the troll is to let the troll win. His JOB is to derail the debate. To get it off topic. To obfuscate. To lie. To make sure the conversation is about anything EXCEPT what Korporate Amerika wants to keep out of sight and out of mind.
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Jesse (profile), 18 Jun 2013 @ 10:11am

"It's a bit hyperbolic, but..."

Is it though?
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Jun 2013 @ 10:22am

Wozniak is wonderful some of the things he said through the years are just amazing.

Quote:
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak describes the very first circuit boards he and Steve Jobs built to sell to members of the Hombrew computing club. It would take 50 people to buy the circuit boards to break even.
Steve Jobs: "Yea, we'll lose our money, but at least we'll have a company." Woz thought that sounded like a great reason to go ahead.
This is part of a speech recorded Oct. 4, 1984 at the Colorado School of Mines as Wozniak spoke to the Denver Apple Pi computer club.

Source: Youtube: Steve Wozniak says Steve Jobs Formed Apple Knowing They'd Lose Money

There was a time that people got into business to feel proud about something they did, it didn't matter if it lasted or not, it was all good at the very least they would have a good story to tell others.

I miss those days, the focuses was not in making money, but being able to say "I did it".
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Nick, 18 Jun 2013 @ 11:54am

What happened?
What happened was the "War on Terror". War means martial law. The PNAC people very quickly realized the unlimited potential, political and economical of such law. This simple formula created a situation that made any return to pre-9/11 extremely difficult if not impossible. The war has now to run its course as has always been the case historically. And it does. Generating enormous profits on its way.
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Jun 2013 @ 5:00pm

The Great and Powerful Woz has spoken! Heed his words.
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anon retentive, 19 Jun 2013 @ 4:22am

Then and Now
As I recall, Woz's first products were "blue" boxes built to rip off telephone calls. Giving talented youth a reason and opportunity to build up their society in spite of their youthful trajectories has it's manifest benefit: I expect that Apple Inc would not exist had Woz lived in the modern America. Either a jail term and branding as a cyber-terrorist, or software patents that only protect the status quo would likely have pushed the nascent tech giant to quit or become a vassal of HP/IBM/etc. The outcome of that conjecture is a much poorer world where our smaller economic pie is horded by the few, a path I think we are well along now.

This nation has been taught to be timid and fear ourselves, it is not the home of the brave anymore.
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