Senator Feinstein Finally Finds Surveillance To Get Angry About: When It Happened To Her Staffers

from the well,-look-at-that dept

This morning, Senator Dianne Feinstein finally got angry over the abusive practices of the intelligence community that she oversees as head of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Historically, of course, Feinstein has used her role of "oversight" to actually do everything possible to protect and defend the various intelligence organizations. However, as we've been discussing, Feinstein has wanted to declassify and publish an apparently devastating $40 million 6,300 page report detailing how the CIA's torture program was a complete disaster. The CIA has been fighting hard against this, and in the last few weeks, it came out that the CIA also spied on Senate staffers who were working on the report, after they'd uncovered an internal CIA document that corroborated the big report, and which showed the CIA had lied to the Senate. The CIA has hit back trying to blame the staffers for "illegally" taking a classified document, but that argument rings hollow.

Feinstein is apparently quite furious about all of this and let loose this morning about the CIA, claiming that they not only spied on the staffers, but secretly removed documents from the computers the staffers were using. She directly claimed that the CIA "may have undermined the constitutional framework" of Congressional oversight. That's not a charge one throws around lightly.
Besides possible constitutional violations, Feinstein said the CIA may also have violated the Fourth Amendment, various federal laws and a presidential executive order that bars the agency from conducting domestic searches and surveillance. She said she has asked for an apology and recognition that the CIA search of the committee's computers was inappropriate, but, "I have received neither."
While this confirms much of what was reported last week, it's noteworthy that Feinstein is speaking out about it. To date, she has tried to avoid saying much about this whole debate publicly, but it appears that the issue has finally boiled over. As we noted last week, having the CIA spy on its Senate overseers (and potentially tampering with their computers to remove documents) is an incredible overreach.

Of course, wasn't it just less than two months ago that Feinstein claimed that the intelligence community would never abuse its powers, because they were made up of professionals whose activities are "strictly vetted"? Perhaps she'll now go back and admit that perhaps she shouldn't be so trusting of the intelligence community when they're spying on everyone else, beyond just her staffers.
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Filed Under: abuse, cia, dianne feinstein, john brennan, oversight, senate intelligence committee, surveillance, torture


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  • icon
    silverscarcat (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 7:32am

    NOW it's important...

    NOW she says the 4th Amendment is important.

    HA! Don't make me laugh, you goddammed fucking hypocrite! You're only upset because you found out that the CIA knows all your doctor visits, what you're going in for and any other dirty little secret.

    Don't like, Feinstein, you, like your buddy Mike Rogers, never ONCE cared about the 4th Amendment, privacy or liberty, all you cared about was your paycheck.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      art guerrilla (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:30am

      Re: NOW it's important...

      as usual, just depends on whose ox is gored...
      an ox of the 99% ? *yawn* no biggie...
      ox belongs to the 1% ? OMG-CONSTITUTION-RIGHTS-INVIOLATE-WHO-DO-YOU-THINK-YOU'RE-MESSING-WITH-blahblahblah...

      talk about situational ethics...

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 7:43am

    Feinstein

    Hipocrisy, thy name is politician.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 7:56am

    This is the problem with the ruling class

    The problem with the ruling class is they are ok with trampling on the peasants, but let them be treated the same way and suddenly that pesky document called the constitution is thrown about. This is exactly why we have this document. Its all fun and games when things are happening to other people, the other political party, etc; but it suddenly is objectionable when it happens to you, your party, etc.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:17am

      Re: This is the problem with the ruling class

      To be fair, this isn't restricted to just the ruling class. When Brazil introduced mandatory fingerprinting+mugshots for foreign visitors, there was an outcry in the US as well. Even though every visitor to the US must undergo the same, and this hasn't changed in the last decade.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:27am

        Re: Re: This is the problem with the ruling class

        Americans have practically stopped fighting for their 4th Amendment Rights. Look at the TSA and how many loyal little peasants just acquiesce to their loss of liberty like good little serfs filing through air port terminals!

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    mimeflu, 11 Mar 2014 @ 7:57am

    Feinstein

    Don't expect this to change anything. This is not the smoking gun you are looking for.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    kenichi tanaka (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:03am

    "She has asked for an apology and recognition that the CIA search of the committee's computers was inappropriate"?

    That's like a slap on the wrist and a promise not to do it again. Just like the last time it happened, and just like the next time it happens. LOLS

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:13am

      Re:

      Really? All she wants is an admission and an apology? This isn't a 4 year old that just got caught taking candy without asking. How about actually holding someone accountable for a change? This just shows she doesn't have a clue what it is supposed to mean to be in an oversight position.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        DannyB (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 10:28am

        Re: Re:

        And if you don't deal with the 4 year old that was caught taking candy, what could possibly happen? Nothing. So similarly, with spy agencies, no harm would result from them not being answerable for being out of control.

        I mean geez, it's not like the CIA or NSA are going to suffer from 'affluenza'.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:04am

    "Removed" documents?

    "removed documents from computers"

    Was that the Post's choice of words, or Feinsteins? What the heck do they mean by that? Did they delete all originals? Or was that writer not satisfied with mis-applying "stealing" to the act of unauthorized copying?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Pixelation, 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:06am

    Depressing

    Just think, now Feinstein will be on our side...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      harbingerofdoom (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:49am

      Re: Depressing

      that makes me want to hurl myself out the nearest window.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Bill, 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:55am

      Re: Depressing

      That's still better than a poke in the eye but only just.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      John Fenderson (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 10:00am

      Re: Depressing

      No she won't. She wouldn't ever lower herself to be on the side of the filthy masses.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      beltorak (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 12:27pm

      Re: Depressing

      no, she is still on her own side; our goals just happen to align in this one highly specific instance. until she reverses her stance of "spying on the peasants is fine" then we are most definitely not on the same side.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:08am

    Maybe it's just pro-NSA favoratism at work here. Screw the other agencies.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 13 Mar 2014 @ 3:40pm

      Re:

      Haven't you read a recent article here ?

      Not even American but I know the FBI is much more of a threat to you guys, more insidious than the NSA can be.

      I mean, before Snowden, NORMAL people knew the NSA did all this, but we were joked at as crazy. Normal people continue to see the FBI as a threat to the US as a due process implementing Just country even more than the NSA.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:13am

    Frankenstein or Feinstein's monster ?

    First they came for the Foreigners, and She* did not speak out-- Because She* was not a Foreigner.

    Then they came for the Press, and She* did not speak out-- Because She was not a journalist.

    Then they came for the Local Plebs, and She did not speak out-- Because She was not a Local Pleb.

    Then they came for Her--and there was no one left to speak for Her.





    That woman didn't "not speak out".... She is part of the "they" that comes for people.

    Feinstein's monster.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      DannyB (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 10:35am

      Re: Frankenstein or Feinstein's monster ?

      She may be part of the 'they', but she is not an insider within the run-amok out of control intelligence community.

      She is merely part of the 'oversight'. Oversight that the intelligence community merely tolerates. Maybe their level of tolerance is declining, and this is but one crack that has been exposed by them getting caught.

      She is merely a manager, in a sense, of the spooks, but not one of them. Eventually when they come for her, she will not be considered by them to be one of them. Just an inconvenient nuisance.

      Probably less convenient now that she is calling them out instead of being their chief cheerleader.

      So why doesn't she have a much stronger response? Maybe because she knows what they have on her.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    David, 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:15am

    So when

    So when will she drop her "my kids would never do bad things" act?

    It's piss-poor sad that people like Merkel or Feinstein are totally fine with everybody's privacy getting violated under their "oversight" but get furious when they are given the same treatment they find appropriate for everybody else.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Joel, 11 Jun 2014 @ 6:56am

      Re: So when

      What does Angela Merkel have to be riled about (and I don't think she really is - her anger was mostly for domestic consumption)? I don't care if the NSA spies on her. That's part of their job. The government should be spying on foreign heads of state - even and especially heads of state. Espionage is an excellent tool of diplomacy, as it is very useful to the diplomats to know what Merkel and those around her are saying privately about the things they say in public which interest us. They do it to us, we do it to them. It's how the world works and, done properly, helps prevent more serious problems. This is the mandate of the intel community. Spying on every American in the country is not part of that mandate (in addition to being illegal).

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:17am

    >The CIA has hit back trying to blame the staffers for
    >"illegally" taking a classified document, but that argument
    >rings hollow."

    I believe the McClatchy story said that the staffers printed a copy of the classified document and walked out the door with it. That is a huge no-no. You would think the Senate Intelligence Committee would know the most basic rules of how to properly handle classified material. The CIA's argument doesn't ring hollow.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Miles Barnett (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:08am

      Re:

      Excuse me, but there is a huge difference between illegal and wrong. If you are charged with oversight, then nothing should be off limits. If the CIA is actively trying to thwart your investigation, then it's your job to go behind their backs.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 10:51am

        Re: Re:

        > Excuse me, but there is a huge difference between illegal and wrong.

        Brennan never said it was illegal; that was TechDirt's spin. He said, "I am very confident that the appropriate authorities reviewing this matter will determine where wrongdoing, if any, occurred in either the executive branch or legislative branch."

        > If you are charged with oversight, then nothing should be off limits.

        What about waterboarding?

        > If the CIA is actively trying to thwart your investigation, then it's your job to go behind their backs.

        Maybe. There are still no details or evidence about how this alleged spying was carried out. Maybe the CIA keeps printer logs to make sure employees aren't printing classified material to take home. Does checking those logs count as spying?

        Deleting files, on the other hand, is pretty fishy, but still, this sounds like a he-said she-said argument between the Senate Intelligence Committee and the CIA. An easy fix would be to just make the report public.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Reality bites, 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:11am

      Re: .. The CIA is incapable of telling the truth.

      If a CIA puke opens its mouth all that ever dribbles out is lies, and stupidity. You can't work for the government and have a brain they are mutually exclusive.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        DannyB (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 10:41am

        Re: Re: .. The CIA is incapable of telling the truth.

        You make several points:
        1. If a CIA puke opens its mouth all that ever dribbles out is lies
        2. and stupidity.
        3. You can't work for the government and have a brain they are mutually exclusive.

        I disagree with 2 and 3. These people are very smart. Being smart is not mutually exclusive with being a liar, ignoring the law, subverting the constitution, or manipulating government or extorting government officials.

        On point 3, smart people may very much want to work for the government in order to have power. Some people want to have power publicly. These are the less smart ones. The real smart ones want to have the real power but have it in secret.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          H.Bottinga, 12 Mar 2014 @ 12:24pm

          Re: Re: Re: .. The CIA is incapable of telling the truth.

          I believe you confused smart with moral

          link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      David, 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:12am

      Re:

      The CIA's argument rings hollow because it essentially boils down to "success is an excuse for anything". And since one has to make the decision before knowing if and when one might be successful, it's actually like "there are no limits to what we do".

      And it's the job of the oversight committee to make sure that there are limits to what the overseen entities do. So the one party you don't want to get caught messing with, no matter how unfair you feel they might be treating you, is your own oversight committee. You can appeal to a higher instance, but certainly not take matters into your own hands.

      Since that spells out clear as day "we are out of control, and out of oversight".

      The oversight committee is their own d**n fig leaf. If there is a mottled spot, they have nothing to win by taking it out with a machine gun.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      John Fenderson (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:51am

      Re:

      It may be a huge no-no, but the argument still rings hollow. It's a fourth-grader's argument: but, but, but, they did wrong so that makes it OK that I did wrong.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:58am

      Re:

      Then the CIA should have used proper channels.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:19am

    not so nice when it's you or yours that are on the receiving end, is it Feinstein? getting a taste of your own medicine and it's about time! funny how you never once mentioned how the surveillance of EVERYONE violated the Constitutional Framework! until it was you, that is! what the hell gives you the right to NOT be spied on, but those you defend constantly can spy on everyone else, with your blessing! you need to get the hell outta Dodge!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Tyler, 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:21am

    Really???

    Feinstein complaining about "possible constitutional violations" WTF!?!? She is the biggest constitutional violation our country has ever seen. If anyone needs spied on it's her!

    She has repeatedly attempted to use her position to violate the constitutional rights of the citizens of United States and particularly those of California.

    She has repeatedly introduced legislation attempting to strip citizens of their second amendment rights while the senator herself excersizes her right to carry a concealed gun/"assault weapon"(hey if she gets to call any gun she wants an assault weapon, so can I).

    She has repeatedly defended the abuses of power agencies under her oversight have used to violate our fourth amendment rights.

    But now, it would seem that her blatant violations of the second and fourth amendments are not enough for her. She is now pushing legislation to limit the rights afforded under the first amendment, namely freedom of the press. Thats right, she wants the government to have more control over the media.

    Feinstein = hypocrite

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      JBDragon, 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:27am

      Re: Really???

      How this old corrupt hag keeps getting elected, I don't know as I've never once voted for her.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 11:37am

        Re: Re: Really???

        The arch conservatives in Orange County always force the Republican party to nominate someone that makes Rush Limbaugh look like a socialist to run against her. That person always carries Orange County by a landslide and not much else.

        Feinstein's seat is 100% safe because no one with a chance to win will ever be able to run against her.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    yankinwaoz (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:39am

    She lies

    I recently got a letter from Feinstein informing me that the NSA does not spy on US citizens.

    "...please be assured that the NSA does not conduct mass surveillance on U.S. citizens."

    So all those giant Prism taps at ISP's around the country are there to improve network performance?

    I give up.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      David, 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:15am

      Re: She lies

      "...please be assured that the NSA does not conduct mass surveillance on U.S. citizens."

      Once mass is over, on the other hand...

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      John Fenderson (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 10:02am

      Re: She lies

      I believe her reasoning is the same as the NSA's: they are prohibited from performing surveillance on US citizens and so by definition nothing they do to US citizens counts as "surveillance". QED.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      hjklhuk, 11 Mar 2014 @ 10:10am

      Re: She lies

      dude post a pic

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    John William Nelson (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:42am

    Hypocrite much?

    Wow, this speech literally made me laugh out loud at a Starbucks this morning. And the descend into a fit of snickering.

    Seriously hypocritical.

    Still, maybe this will be a wake up call for the Intelligence Oversight Committee? Probably not, but you never know.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      David, 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:17am

      Re: Hypocrite much?

      Still, maybe this will be a wake up call for the Intelligence Oversight Committee?

      Unlikely. They are all closet skeletons.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      DannyB (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 10:47am

      Re: Hypocrite much?

      Wake up call for the Intelligence Oversight Committee? That they need to do something about the Intelligence Community run amok?

      No.

      A wake up call for the Intelligence Community. They need to do something about the Oversight Committee run amok and trying to impose any kind of limits or accountability.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Crusty the Ex-Clown, 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:42am

    Now we know what "CIA" stands for....

    .....Covers Its Ass. It's quite good at doing just that -- other stuff, not so much.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:45am

    The Constitution is not to be used only when it is convenient for you.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:55am

    None of the articles, both here and those linked, do not to my recollection go into any detail about what spying on staffers entailed. In the articles they do provide that the staffers traveled to CIA headquarters and left with copies of classified documents without the CIA's knowledge. At least one of them stated that the CIA learned about the taking of the documents via analysis of its internal computer systems.

    Did the spying extend beyond the above, and if so to what extent?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Violynne (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 8:58am

    *chuckles.

    Poetic justice is, once again, blissfully defined.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Phoenix84 (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:11am

    I emailed her, this is her reply (received about a week ago):

    Thank you for your letter expressing your support for reforming National Security Agency (NSA) programs. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue, and welcome the opportunity to respond.



    First, please be assured that the NSA does not conduct mass surveillance on U.S. citizens. Its mission is to collect foreign signals intelligence to detect foreign national security threats. For your convenience, a summary of the NSA's authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is available on the agency's website or at http://tinyurl.com/NSA-FISA.



    Please know that I support measures to improve oversight of U.S. intelligence programs and to make them more transparent to the public. On October 31, 2013, I introduced the "FISA Improvements Act" (S. 1631), which would require court review when the NSA call records database is queried, and mandate a series of limitations on how the records can be obtained, stored, and used. It would also authorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to designate outside "amici curiae," or "friends of the court," to provide independent perspectives and assist the Court in reviewing matters that present a novel or significant interpretation of law.



    Additionally, on November 5, 2013, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, which I chair, approved the "Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014" (S. 1681), which would strengthen existing protections that allow whistleblowers in the Intelligence Community to bring their concerns directly to the attention of Congress, inspectors general, and Intelligence Community leaders. The bill would also require the Department of Justice to inform the Congressional intelligence committees of all Office of Legal Counsel opinions regarding intelligence activities, and extend the charter of the Public Interest Declassification Board, which promotes public access to a thorough record of U.S. national security decisions and activities.



    Finally, as Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I have called for a full review of all U.S. intelligence programs. For your convenience, I have included an opinion piece I authored in the San Francisco Chronicle on November 2, 2013 that further outlines proposals that I support.



    Again, thank you for writing. Please know that as Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I take seriously my responsibility to ensure that national security programs honor the privacy and Fourth Amendment rights of U.S. citizens. I will certainly keep your concerns in mind as Congress considers legislation to reform NSA programs. Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841.



    Sincerely yours,


    Dianne Feinstein
    United States Senator

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    TheResidentSkeptic (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:37am

    TO: SysAdmins of all classified materials rooms (CIA/NSA/et. al)

    Please immediately remove all the printers.

    Thank you


    ...problem solved.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    David, 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:38am

    Valid complaint

    The Intelligence Oversight Committee is supposed to oversee the CIA spying operations. It cannot reasonably expect to do so if the CIA spies on the oversight committee itself.

    That's a total travesty of "oversight". I'm with Feinstein on that.

    The populace is supposed to oversee the government operations. It cannot reasonably expect to do so if the government spies on the populace itself.

    That's a total travesty of "democracy". I'm against Feinstein on that.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    vastrightwing, 11 Mar 2014 @ 9:47am

    If you have nothing to hide

    Senator,

    Why are you so upset? it's for our security and safety. And if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. Come on!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Trevor, 11 Mar 2014 @ 10:18am

    And then they came for me

    First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
    Because I was not a Socialist.

    Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--
    Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

    Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
    Because I was not a Jew.

    Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.

    -Martin Niemöller (1892-1984)

    Seems fitting...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      SD (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 10:59am

      Re: And then they came for me

      Might be an inappropriate analogy since the "They" in this case also includes Feinstein. Also, Godwin's law.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      David, 11 Mar 2014 @ 12:14pm

      Re: And then they came for me

      Well, if they even come for Feinstein, they must be through with pretty much everybody else.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Rich Fiscus (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 10:42am

    He that lies down with dogs must rise up with fleas.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 10:43am

    National Security Letters

    It's highly probable that the CIA just filed an NSL on a staffer's name to make the search and seizure "legal". That would be the easiest way Feinstein got her hands on an "internal" document like that... Unless this truly was done under the table and there's a whistleblower in the CIA.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 10:50am

      Re: National Security Letters

      Or FISA warrant.. It would also explain the slap on the wrist. The laws don't exclude members of congress, but I think someone unknown like a staffer's name would be more easier to get the rubber stamp approval on. The judges who are approving the warrants know who Dianne Feinstein is.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Jake T, 11 Mar 2014 @ 11:16am

    Hope

    I'd like to believe that there are some activists inside the intelligence community that do this stuff to important people for the sole reason of getting them pissed off and finally doing something about it. I fear i'm just going to be disappointed though

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 11:38am

    It's all fun and games, until Sen. Spystein gets spied on.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Traindriver, 11 Mar 2014 @ 11:57am

    As my far Left leaning friend from California fondly refers to her as "That fascist cunt".

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    FM Hilton, 11 Mar 2014 @ 11:58am

    I thought we were friends!

    Oh, the betrayal!

    "I didn't tell you that you could spy on my people! Who do you think you're dealing with, anyway? Do you know who I am?"

    Serves her right. Now she'll see what we're all upset about-until they promise to stop spying on her and her staff..then it's back to business as usual.

    Hypocrisy and short attention spans work together.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    John, 11 Mar 2014 @ 3:28pm

    " No Harm" if they didn't know they were being spied

    As many defenders of the NSA spying have said, there is no harm if you didn't know the government was spying on you. The senator's staff who were spied upon have not suffered any harm if they didn't know at the time they were being spied upon.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    That Anonymous Coward (profile), 11 Mar 2014 @ 4:19pm

    My wish came true.

    Also there are not enough animated gifs of Nelson going HA HA to cover this.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2014 @ 7:01pm

    Oh, look, she finally found a spine

    Too bad she didn't find it when her constituents were targeted.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    DP, 12 Mar 2014 @ 11:25am

    Hypocrisy

    Hypocrisy in the extreme, it seems to me. What's good for the goose.........

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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