The news that the National Security Agency (NSA) has engaged in massive spying NOT only against terrorists, which is understandable, but also against American citizens by invasive investigation of all phone calls and emails, and also against friendly nations, such as Germany, France and Spain, is truly alarming to the extreme!
One might say that national security requires it, but that is a slippery slope that can undermine the Bill of Rights, and do permanent damage to the concept of having allies in the world against terrorism.
If American citizens cannot trust their own government to avoid invasion of their privacy, that is alarming!
If friendly foreign governments cannot trust that America is avoiding unnecessary intrusion in their private activities, and can look at these governments as not worthy of being trusted as allies, that is alarming!
And even worse, the news that, supposedly, Barack Obama was not aware of these activities by the NSA and, also, the Central Intelligence Agency and other intelligence agencies, then that is TRULY alarming, as that means we have a shadow government which operates outside the parameters of accountable government authority!
It was often said in the past that the CIA was out of control, and that agency was investigated by the Church Committee in the 1970s, and supposedly, controls were put on that agency, or were they?
Are we being lied to all along, and indeed, no matter who is President, they are often unaware of what the spy agencies do?
And if that is so, does that not mean that Presidents of either party are, themselves, subject to being watched, observed, and possibly compromised, and conceivably, be marked for being “neutralized” by these agencies?
Notice the word “neutralized”, as the author is reluctant to say precisely what he means, but anyone reading this is likely to understand the dangers that any President faces from unaccountable espionage!
And although the author has never believed in conspiracy theories, the thought has to cross one’s mind as we come up to the 50th anniversary of the John F. Kennedy Assassination, and the belief of some that the CIA or FBI or other such agencies MIGHT have been involved in the demise of the 35th President.
This whole scenario at present is something to be really concerned with, worried about, and requires some kind of government action and oversight to stop these breaches of civil liberties and diplomatic protocol!
This is the legacy of the Patriot Act.
I second what Engineer said. It’s a result of the Patriot Act.
Your dear leader is a pathological liar.
Dave, this NSA spying began under Bush and Cheney, not Obama. If he had dropped what they did, you would be critical, but the fact that he follows it, you are still critical. So that makes you a hypocrite, does it not? And, oh, of course, Nixon never lied, Reagan never lied, Bush I and II never lied, right? That does not mean I approve of what is going on, but you are so selective in who you criticize, when Republicans set up the Security State that you are criticizing!
The Professor is right Davy Knows Nothing. This NSA spying is a result of the Patriot Act, which was started by the Bush and Cheney administration.
Still beleiving your dear leader is telling you the truth after all his blatant lies, well that’s a special kind of stupid.
Look in the mirror, Dave, as that is the person who is stupid, and also prejudiced to the extreme, and never criticizing Bush and Cheney, who got us in this mess economically and diplomatically. But if they did it, it is alright, correct, Dave?
I second what the Professor said. Davy Knows Nothing is the one who is stupid here.
Hello Professor,
Speaking from a true Republican’s viewpoint, “Know Nothing Davy’s” type is the problem with the Party today. Lowest aprovial ratings ever in history and basicly, are viewed as being a joke. A Party full of political clowns. Like I have stated before, “The Republican Party use to be a thinking man Party” like the example I gave with Robert Ingersoll.
Weak minded Davy is just repeating what he has been inundated with from listening to Rush Limbaugh, drug addic, at least three failed marriages (most not lastingbut a few months) but has the hubris to tell everyone how they should think and live. (Like the line from the 1970’s song, “Sunshine”. “He can’t even run his own life…I’ll be damned if he’ll run mine.”)
In sumation, this is Davy’s favorite flavored poison laced Kool Aid. Much like Jimmy Jones gave his followers. ( Note Davy, this us how that term is properly used.) In sumation, at the end of either, the results will be the same.
Davy Knows Nothing needs to go back into the woodwork where he belongs. His trolling here is not going to change our minds away from the truth.
The Republican Party use to embrace “Golden Age of Freethought.”
Progress is born of doubt and inquiry. Davy’s uber religious mindset never doubts, never inquires. To doubt is heresy, to inquire is to admit that you do not know. Davy’s Fundamentalist Religion does not allow either.
The sad part is, he is claiming membership into my Party bringing us all down. He does more harm than good to the Republican Party.
Hello Princess Leia,
I understand where you are coming from but I have to respectfully disagree. I turn his negatives into a positive for myself. Use his statements to make fun of those in the reactionary right when you hear the same comments. I mean let’s face it, “Know Nothing Davy” does not have an original thought….right?
When “Know Nothing Davy” posts one of his idiotic comments, it gives me the opportunity to educate, enlighten, and arm those with a more sane instinct, the means to counter someone they may meet making the same mindless, non-thinking, propaganda programmed comments.
“Dimwitted Davy” is a teaching tool. I use “Dimwitted Davy’s” comments when I am on the radio giving examples of what someone may hear from another source, and how to counter, correct, and disprove those statements. (Dimwitted Davy is the generic name I use when I am on the radio presenting examples of incorrect right winged propaganda. They all are Dimwitted Davy’s.)
So when he appears posting stupidly; laugh and enjoy, embrace and make note, so we all can employ the lessons that can come from his stupidity. Plus let’s face it, his propensity to display it runs deeper than the ignorance he embraces.
Engineer, no one could possibly say that you mince words! LOL You are awesome in commentary and debate, and glad that we are, for the most part, on the same side! LOL
@Engineer,
I try to spin positive when I can but sometimes I get so frustrated at them.
Yes Leia….I understand but please allow me to pass on one of my favorite quotes from Carlos Castaneda’s book, “The Teachings of Don Juan.†“We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.†As my British friends would say, “Davy is a small beer.” 🙂
Dave my man, you certainly enjoy your roll as a RW Troll don ‘t you? LOL! We all so thoroughly enjoy your hard work in your research and fact finding and you kindness in trying to educate us poor Progressives. I know I know, it ‘s a rough job but somebody has to do it right?
I have prepared a little Thankyou for you. Well I didn ‘t actually prepare it myself. I don’t want to plagiarize other ‘s work like our sweet Eugene does or as Rand Paul likes to do.
Anyway please enjoy! Oh I have added a very special Thankyou just specifically for you Dave from all of us here on PP.
http://samuel-warde.com/2013/10/politely-thank-internet-hater-video/