LGF at the Daily Beast: A Geek’s Guide to the NSA Scandal
Without further ado, my first piece for The Daily Beast: A Geek’s Guide to the NSA Scandal.
Without further ado, my first piece for The Daily Beast: A Geek’s Guide to the NSA Scandal.
1 | First As Tragedy, Then As Farce Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:23:51pm |
Has the first hate mail started coming in yet?
2 | Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:24:50pm |
Good stuff. Tech writing in journalism is generally second only to science writing in pure crappiness.
The writing on this story got off to a bad start from Greenwald, who was either just way in over his head technically or outright mendacious, hard to tell with a dude like Mr. Sockpuppet.
5 | Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:27:54pm |
Greenwald just leaked a bunch more stuff about FISA court submissions.
6 | EPR-radar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:28:08pm |
re: #2 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut
Good stuff. Tech writing in journalism is generally second only to science writing in pure crappiness.
The writing on this story got off to a bad start from Greenwald, who was either just way in over his head technically or outright mendacious, hard to tell with a dude like Mr. Sockpuppet.
From my own background, I can usually spot bad reporting for science or law stories. Since these errors are so egregious, I now assume that reporting is usually all screwed up if it touches on any area where subject matter expertise is relevant.
In other words, the mainstream media is apparently capable of no reporting more demanding than he-said she-said on a celebrity scandal.
7 | freetoken Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:29:24pm |
Needs some tech editing, such as the extra close paren.
8 | Charles Johnson Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:30:05pm |
Could have written a lot more on the subject, but I was bumping up against the word limit already.
9 | Kragar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:30:44pm |
10 | Gus Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:31:20pm |
Good one Charles. Hope the comments there don’t get populated with deranged ones that’ll start commenting on your cycling habits and ponytail if you know what I mean.
11 | lawhawk Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:32:37pm |
Nice piece Charles. Definitely called attention to the key problems - not only did media outlets publish before doing their due diligence, but they provided outrageous outrage headlines in search for the eyeballs, rather than doing the work to indicate that the blockbuster was something much less. And that Socky McSockpuppet lacked the critical expertise to evaluate the content of the slides or the IT terms involved also fed into the media outlets initially making a whole lot more out of the claims than there actually are.
12 | Sol Berdinowitz Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:33:04pm |
I sent a copy to my computer geek bassist friend (who is also half Greek) to see if it makes G(r)eek sense to him…
13 | freetoken Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:34:01pm |
Congrats on getting on the Daily Beast roll. Are you going to do others for them?
14 | Charles Johnson Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:34:36pm |
BTW, that wasn’t my title - the part about “What you don’t know.” It’s now being changed to something a bit less lecture-y.
15 | Charles Johnson Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:35:01pm |
re: #13 freetoken
Congrats on getting on the Daily Beast roll. Are you going to do others for them?
It was mentioned.
16 | Charles Johnson Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:36:15pm |
There we go, that’s better: “A Geek’s Guide to the NSA Scandal: What You May Not Know About Data Collection.”
17 | Kragar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:37:17pm |
re: #16 Charles Johnson
There we go, that’s better: “A Geek’s Guide to the NSA Scandal: What You May Not Know About Data Collection.”
Better.
18 | Kragar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:39:39pm |
Dozens of Anti-Gay Activists Vow to Resist Any SCOTUS Ruling In Favor of Marriage Equality
As the nation awaits the Supreme Court’s rulings on two high-profile marriage equality cases, several dozen Religious Right activists have signed on to a “Marriage Solidarity Statement” that was drafted by Liberty Counsel’s Mat Staver and Deacon Keith Fournier, vowing to resist any rulingn favor of equality.
This who’s who of anti-gay activists has collectively declared that they “will not stand by while the destruction of the institution of marriage unfolds in this nation we love” because “this is the line we must draw and one we cannot and will not cross”
…
Considering that Staver and others who signed this declaration have predicted that any ruling in favor of gay marriage will lead to civil war, one has to wonder just how these anti-gay activists intend to resist any such ruling.
19 | Charles Johnson Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:41:22pm |
BAM. He made the GOP look bad. He’s got to go. Republican Official Resigns Over Racist Email.
The chairman of the Republican party in Montgomery County, IL, has resigned over a racist email.
Jim Allen left his office after a firestorm erupted over an email he sent attacking former Miss America and GOP House candidate Erika Harold.
20 | GeneJockey Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:42:26pm |
re: #19 Charles Johnson
BAM. He made the GOP look bad. He’s got to go. Republican Official Resigns Over Racist Email.
How come the GOP Congress hasn’t been forced to resign, then?
21 | Kragar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:42:49pm |
re: #19 Charles Johnson
BAM. He made the GOP look bad. He’s got to go. Republican Official Resigns Over Racist Email.
I’m sure he’ll be taken care of by his buddies.
22 | Sol Berdinowitz Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:43:04pm |
re: #19 Charles Johnson
BAM. He made the GOP look bad. He’s got to go. Republican Official Resigns Over Racist Email.
Shame that his resignation will remain an isolated incident in the face of nearly daily comments of a similar nature by his party colleagues.
23 | Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:44:12pm |
re: #19 Charles Johnson
BAM. He made the GOP look bad. He’s got to go. Republican Official Resigns Over Racist Email.
Then why is Rush Limbaugh still allowed to associate with the GOP, much less be consulted with on various stuff?
Because he pulls a lot of water, and this guy doesn’t pull shit.
24 | GeneJockey Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:44:32pm |
You know, maybe this is what they meant by their New Minority Outreach - have some crazy shithead say something absolutely outrageous, then make him resign so the rest of the GOP looks sane by comparison.
25 | Political Atheist Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:47:31pm |
Liked and shared. Nice job clearing the air.
26 | Charles Johnson Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:48:00pm |
As the world gets even weirder. RT @TPM: Behind a Klansman’s plan to kill Muslims with a radiation death beam http://t.co/PfgxCh4cQ9— Charles Johnson (@Green_Footballs) June 20, 2013
27 | Mattand Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:48:12pm |
re: #19 Charles Johnson
BAM. He made the GOP look bad. He’s got to go. Republican Official Resigns Over Racist Email.
Love Reince Preibus’s comment:
“The astonishingly offensive views expressed by Chairman Allen have absolutely no place among the leaders of our party at any level. His behavior is inexcusable and must not be tolerated. He should apologize to Erika Harold and resign immediately,
Translation:
For fuck’s sake, people; we’re trying to pretend we’re not racist mouthbreathers. Stop saying this stuff in public.
28 | Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:49:16pm |
29 | Charles Johnson Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:51:05pm |
re: #23 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut
Then why is Rush Limbaugh still allowed to associate with the GOP, much less be consulted with on various stuff?
Because he pulls a lot of water, and this guy doesn’t pull shit.
Also, this guy’s mistake was to use racist language against a GOP minority candidate. It’s not like they have a lot of those.
30 | Sol Berdinowitz Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:51:59pm |
re: #28 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance
Former leader of the “Minutemen” arrested for child molestation
All that passion for his country must have gotten the best of him…
31 | Kragar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:53:15pm |
re: #26 Charles Johnson
On April 11, 2012, Glendon Crawford — who went by his middle name, Scott — walked into an Albany, N.Y., synagogue and asked if there was anyone around to talk to him about a technology that could be used by Israel to defeat its enemies.
Because Israelis keep all their top secret weapons tech at a synagogue in Albany.
32 | erik_t Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:53:17pm |
re: #26 Charles Johnson
Sounds like “plan” might be a rather strong word for this pair of idiots. TPM might as well have said they were planning on building a phaser.
33 | Dr Lizardo Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:54:04pm |
re: #30 Sol Berdinowitz
All that passion for his country must have gotten the bet of him…
Liberty!! Freedom!! Border Security!! Little girls!!
////
34 | freetoken Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:54:51pm |
Interesting videos over there:
Cannes 2013: Evolutionary Biologist Richard Dawkins Opens Saatchi’s Annual New Directors Showcase
35 | Kragar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:55:14pm |
36 | Mattand Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:55:28pm |
re: #31 Kragar
Because Israelis keep all their top secret weapons tech at a synagogue in Albany.
Hide in plain sight! It’s so crazy, it might just never work!
38 | EPR-radar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:57:33pm |
re: #29 Charles Johnson
Also, this guy’s mistake was to use racist language against a GOP minority candidate. It’s not like they have a lot of those.
On the plus side, the ones they do have are probably very understanding about small, unintentional, lapses like these.
39 | Sol Berdinowitz Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:58:00pm |
re: #31 Kragar
Because Israelis keep all their top secret weapons tech at a synagogue in Albany.
The point being that all Jews are part of the International Zionist World Domination Conspiracy, every Synagogue is just a branch office.
/
40 | Dr Lizardo Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:58:17pm |
41 | AntonSirius Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:59:05pm |
re: #18 Kragar
Dozens of Anti-Gay Activists Vow to Resist Any SCOTUS Ruling In Favor of Marriage Equality
So, they’re going to barricade city halls with their bodies across the country then?
No? Wimps.
42 | freetoken Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:59:45pm |
The New Directors Showcase youtube page:
43 | Kragar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:00:30pm |
re: #36 Mattand
Hide in plain sight! It’s so crazy, it might just never work!
In related news, I think I’ll swing by Panda Express and ask how the latest generation of Chinese fighter jets are coming along.
44 | Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:00:44pm |
re: #30 Sol Berdinowitz
well if those scary illegal imgrants are coming for our children this guy just wanted to protect them for himself
//
46 | freetoken Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:01:18pm |
“Nabil: Antony and the Johnsons - ‘Cut the World’ :
48 | blueraven Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:04:11pm |
49 | Eclectic Cyborg Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:04:22pm |
50 | Gus Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:05:29pm |
re: #49 Eclectic Cyborg
Someone just told me about it. I already checked Snopes, it’s (shockingly) not true.
U DUMB LIBTARD SNOPES IZ OWNED BY GEORGE SOROS AND IT LIES ALL THE TIME!!11TY
//
51 | Mattand Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:07:23pm |
re: #45 Gus
Oh, for God’s sake. I really hate people. If this country can get through the next 10 years without starting another Civil War, I’ll french kiss a rabid pencil sharpener.
52 | Eclectic Cyborg Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:08:01pm |
re: #51 Mattand
Oh, for God’s sake. I really hate people. If this country can get through the next 10 years without starting another Civil War, I’ll french kiss a rabid pencil sharpener.
I can’t help but thinking that a civil war starting over gay marriage would make the U.S. an international laughingstock.
53 | Mattand Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:09:59pm |
re: #52 Eclectic Cyborg
I can’t help but thinking that a civil war starting over gay marriage would make the U.S. an international laughingstock.
Because a nuclear armed superpower where half the population thinks the Garden of Eden was real isn’t reason enough.
54 | Lancelot Link Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:10:35pm |
You know, I think the reason this NSA story is so popular, and so hard to effectively debunk, is that a lot of people complaining about it really want it to be true. They secretly like the idea that they’re important enough that the Govt wants to spy on them, and they resent the idea that the Govt has no interest whatsoever in their banal emails and phone calls.
55 | Sol Berdinowitz Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:10:35pm |
re: #51 Mattand
Oh, for God’s sake. I really hate people. If this country can get through the next 10 years without starting another Civil War, I’ll french kiss a rabid pencil sharpener.
I really do worry that this nation is going to grow ungovernable by the end of the next decade…all we need is one major natural and/or man-made catastrophe that requires the government to declare martial law over a large area, and there will be people rising up in arms to defend themselves against the perceived threat.
56 | Dr. Matt Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:13:23pm |
Obama has “set up has 30,000 #guillotines” & not one single piece of photographic evidence? #shocking #derp #teabaggersareidiots
— Dr. Matt (@DrMatthew) June 20, 2013
57 | Charles Johnson Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:14:26pm |
re: #54 Lancelot Link
You know, I think the reason this NSA story is so popular, and so hard to effectively debunk, is that a lot of people complaining about it really want it to be true. They secretly like the idea that they’re important enough that the Govt wants to spy on them, and they resent the idea that the Govt has no interest whatsoever in their banal emails and phone calls.
And that’s confirmation bias at work.
58 | Gus Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:15:56pm |
@Green_Footballs What do you know. They're rekindling a hoax from 2009: http://t.co/h9YgyGInbm— Gus (@Gus_802) June 20, 2013
59 | Political Atheist Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:16:53pm |
What should we make of this? Mere posturing or take it a bit more seriously?
AFP - The US government’s secret seizure of Associated Press phone records had a “chilling effect” on newsgathering by the agency and other news organizations, AP’s top executive said Wednesday.
“Some longtime trusted sources have become nervous and anxious about talking with us,” AP president and chief executive Gary Pruitt said in a speech to the National Press Club.
“In some cases, government employees we once checked in with regularly will no longer speak to us by phone. Others are reluctant to meet in person … This chilling effect on newsgathering is not just limited to AP.
“Journalists from other news organizations have personally told me that it has intimidated both official and nonofficial sources from speaking to them as well.”
60 | Lancelot Link Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:17:23pm |
re: #45 Gus
Now I know I’ve been reading this shit too long - I guessed “retired FBI agent” was Ted Gunderson before I even clicked the link. What a loon!
62 | Gus Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:18:46pm |
re: #60 Lancelot Link
Now I know I’ve been reading this shit too long - I guessed “retired FBI agent” was Ted Gunderson before I even clicked the link. What a loon!
Post-FBI
After retiring from the FBI, Gunderson, set up a private investigation firm, Ted L. Gunderson and Associates, in Santa Monica. In 1980, he became a defense investigator for Green Beret Doctor Jeffrey R. MacDonald, who had been convicted of the 1970 murders of his pregnant wife and two daughters. Gunderson obtained affidavits from Helena Stoeckley confessing to her involvement in the murders.[8]
He also investigated a child molestation trial in Manhattan Beach California. In a 1995 conference in Dallas, Gunderson warned about the proliferation of secret Satanic groups, and the danger posed by the New World Order, a shadow government that would be controlling the US government.[9] He also claimed that a “slave auction” in which children were sold to men in turbans had been held in Las Vegas, that four thousand ritual human sacrifices are performed in New York City every year, and that the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was carried out by the US government.[9] Gunderson believed that in the US there is a secret widespread network of groups who kidnap children and infants, and subject them to Satanic ritual abuse and subsequent human sacrifice.[10][11]
Gunderson, a member of the Constitution Party, died on July 31, 2011
due to arsenic poisoning like symptoms.
63 | darthstar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:20:20pm |
Congrats, Charles…I hope they paid you for it.
64 | Gus Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:20:22pm |
re: #62 Gus
This also sounds like BS:
Gunderson, a member of the Constitution Party, died on July 31, 2011 due to arsenic poisoning like symptoms.
65 | Mattand Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:21:34pm |
66 | Dr Lizardo Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:21:34pm |
re: #62 Gus
Wow. Sounds like ole’ Ted was Grade-A+ batshit.
Sorta like General Jack D. Ripper crazy.
67 | freetoken Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:22:13pm |
So, now we know how sentencing will be carried out at all those FEMA!! camps.
68 | Gus Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:22:24pm |
re: #65 Mattand
That’s just what they want you to think!
With much sadness I have to inform everyone that Ted Gunderson, friend and colleague of the Civilian Intelligence Network, has lost his battle with cancer and has passed away on July 31, 2011.
70 | Sol Berdinowitz Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:22:55pm |
heat wave has finally broken here in Germany, thunderstorms rolling in, perfect sleeping weather…goodnight, lizards
71 | nines09 Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:23:06pm |
Dear Charles; Bravo! You are not a geek. Trust me. Nerd? Youbetcha! Good stuff.
72 | Eclectic Cyborg Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:23:42pm |
So apparently these believe the U.S. government, who was apparently unable to keep a low level 29 year-old subcontractor out of top secret NSA systems is capable of building, staffing and preparing FEMA camps and a vast secret Army all without being noticed or detected in any way.
Hmm…
73 | Dr Lizardo Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:23:43pm |
re: #64 Gus
This also sounds like BS:
Someone edited that…..according to this:
he died of cancer, as per his son.
74 | darthstar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:25:19pm |
Illinois GOP party chair resigns to take job as Paula Deen's sous-chef. #filmateleven— Sean McCabe (@darthstar99) June 20, 2013
75 | freetoken Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:26:10pm |
re: #72 Eclectic Cyborg
… is capable of building, staffing and preparing FEMA camps and a vast secret Army …
Complete with 30,000 guillotines and who knows how many drones.
76 | Gus Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:26:26pm |
re: #73 Dr Lizardo
Someone edited that…..according to this:
he died of cancer, as per his son.
So much derp, so little time.
77 | freetoken Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:28:46pm |
Speaking of racism and wingnuts, WND keeps pushing the boundaries of what they can get away with. Currently they are running with two headlines:
Paula Deen racist comments allegedly caught on video
and
ALL-WHITE TOWN FIGHTS TO KEEP SEGREGATION
Sure enough the comments are turning into the sewer, which is typical of Farah and his “journalism”.
78 | abolitionist Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:29:03pm |
Here’s my guide: The Official Palantir Channel
Not really mine, altho my government helped build it. Here are some specific links to get you started:
Palantir 101
Palantir at the Los Angeles Police Department
Palantir Night Live - Mike Hurley & Brian Cunningham
Understanding The Libyan Revolution Through Palantir
79 | thedopefishlives Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:30:57pm |
Afternoon Lizardim. Congrats Charles on an excellent article.
80 | Decatur Deb Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:33:04pm |
re: #75 freetoken
Complete with 30,000 guillotines and who knows how many drones.
There’s one on my street, devilishly disguised as a telephone pole.
81 | freetoken Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:33:50pm |
BTW, this NSA thing is turning out to be quite convenient talking point, being used by just about any to justify whatever accusation they want to make.
Thomas Sowell has jumped on it as a way to condemn Obama for, well, everything, following in the footsteps of the other “intellectual” giants of the atavistic right, such as Jonah Goldberg.
A simple three letter acronym - and it becomes the foil for the anarchist left and the atavistic right.
82 | Gus Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:34:32pm |
re: #80 Decatur Deb
There’s one on my street, devilishly disguised as a telephone pole.
It works by broad siding it in your car doing 80 MPH with your head sticking out.
83 | Decatur Deb Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:36:06pm |
Nice article, Charles. If I send you my arm, will you sign it?
84 | DO WINGNUT WORDS SHOW THEY EVOLVED BRAINS?11!! Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:36:07pm |
Hi everyone. Happy almost Friday!
So I was reading the comments after the article and some are as sad as I had worried they would be. WTF?
85 | darthstar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:36:34pm |
BREAKING: Stock analysts shit pants after federal reserve announces economy is improving for other people. #UniteBlue— GOPathetic (@GOPathetic) June 20, 2013
86 | freetoken Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:36:39pm |
re: #80 Decatur Deb
There’s one on my street, devilishly disguised as a telephone pole.
You mean one like this, cleverly covered in greenery to hide its real purpose?
89 | allegro Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:44:38pm |
91 | thedopefishlives Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:46:29pm |
Time to run off for more of a busy Thursday evening. Grats again, Charles, and for all the Lizardim, have a good night.
92 | makeitstop Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:46:30pm |
Why guillotines? This is the 21st Century. Hasn’t anyone told the conspiracy freaks that there are much more efficient ways to kill a bunch of people now?
93 | darthstar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:47:21pm |
re: #92 makeitstop
Why guillotines? This is the 21st Century. Hasn’t anyone told the conspiracy freaks that there are much more efficient ways to kill a bunch of people now?
Paula Deen’s Bacon-Cheeseburger on a glazed donut, for example.
94 | allegro Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:47:23pm |
re: #92 makeitstop
Why guillotines? This is the 21st Century. Hasn’t anyone told the conspiracy freaks that there are much more efficient ways to kill a bunch of people now?
Seriously. Crosses are much less costly.
97 | freetoken Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:52:21pm |
Besides Meyer’s latest book pushing IDiocy, apparently Dennis Prager had a column in NRO a couple of days ago playing up the idea of the “fine tuned” universe. He invokes that he went to a conference a week or so ago and some really smart people were there (and there were), and thus, well, God.
This NRO piece was picked up by a few creationists sites.
But, it’s still the same old problem, of arguing for creation by incredulity.
And Prager, like the IDiots, still try to confuse cause with the effect, trying to impress teleology upon the universe.
98 | Eclectic Cyborg Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:53:06pm |
re: #96 Charles Johnson
Guillotines for everybody!
Come check out Big Al’s Guillotines! We’re cutting prices all over the store!
99 | GeneJockey Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:53:18pm |
100 | GeneJockey Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:53:44pm |
re: #98 Eclectic Cyborg
Come check out Big Al’s Guillotines! We’re cutting prices all over the store!
And we’ll let you eat cake!
101 | makeitstop Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:54:11pm |
re: #96 Charles Johnson
Guillotines for everybody!
I know a guy who does an Alice Cooper show. He could use a guillotine….
once.
102 | freetoken Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:55:35pm |
Mr. Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran is concerned:
McCain: Middle East about to ‘erupt’
He so wants the US to get into another war.
Why?
103 | darthstar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:56:02pm |
re: #102 freetoken
Mr. Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran is concerned:
McCain: Middle East about to ‘erupt’
He so wants the US to get into another war.
Why?
He should be ignored like his VP.
104 | McSpiff Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:56:13pm |
Nice summary Charles! As someone who actually works with Lawful Intercept tech, I was giving up hope…
105 | Decatur Deb Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:56:32pm |
106 | GeneJockey Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:56:38pm |
re: #102 freetoken
Mr. Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran is concerned:
He so wants the US to get into another war.Why?
WWII envy.
107 | GeneJockey Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:57:15pm |
re: #105 Decatur Deb
Knit, knit, purl. Knit, knit, purl.
The guillotine, Evremonde! The guillotine!!!
108 | dragonath Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:57:46pm |
re: #102 freetoken
Mr. Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran is concerned:
McCain: Middle East about to ‘erupt’
He so wants the US to get into another war.
Why?
Because inflicting Sarah Palin on a unwitting populace did nothing to sate his sadistic tendencies.
109 | darthstar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:58:21pm |
So I’m guessing this is what you hinted at yesterday when you said the trolls were going to be in a bit of butt-hurt today.
110 | Decatur Deb Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:58:27pm |
re: #107 GeneJockey
The guillotine, Evremonde! The guillotine!!!
“What’s a revolution without general copulation?”
111 | otoc Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:00:02pm |
Without further ado, my first piece for The Daily Beast: A Geek’s Guide to the NSA Scandal.
From one ex-artist turned geek to another—nice. These points need to be made and based on your posts there plenty of items for the future. Even a lot of supposed tech writers are missing the boat for the real points to be made and regurgitating/repackaging original articles. But you made that point too.
On the geek front—ever consider a quote/respond button on the original post that feeds into the comment section? For those on-topic responses from lazy people like me?
112 | Kragar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:00:14pm |
Family Research Councils Prayer Targets
Abolish the IRS - In light of revelations that some 500+ conservative, pro-life and Christian organizations have been targeted by the IRS for unique, unfair, and illegal treatment, Tony Perkins has called for the abolishment of the IRS. Obamacare, which will begin to be implemented in full force just months from now, will use an army of some 17,000 additional IRS agents to enforce its provisions, including the imposition of fines, and potentially imprisonment. Tony believes now is the time both to stop the encroachment on Americans’ fundamental liberty and to reform the tax system (Perkins).
May God stir the American people to say “no more” to illicit and unconstitutional acts against the American people by an out of control, politically motivated government! May the American people recognize that the scandals will only multiply if they remain passive. Following repentance at Call2Fall on Sunday, June 30, may Americans rise from their knees on Independence Day, determined to use their citizenship righteously to defend faith, family, freedom and property, while we still can (Dan 3:16-18; 6:7-18; Acts 5:29; Gal 5:1).
113 | McSpiff Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:00:40pm |
re: #104 McSpiff
Nice summary Charles! As someone who actually works with Lawful Intercept tech, I was giving up hope…
Also, while not involved with PRISM or anything that important, I don’t mind answering questions about the general architecture used by device manufacturers, some of the standards, things like CALEA, etc
114 | Kragar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:02:49pm |
This is Christian leader Bryan Fischer, talking about the Atheist Hotline Project more than two weeks ago:
When asked by [the Christian Post] if he felt the atheist group would reach their fundraising goal, Fischer replied that “this effort is doomed to fail.”
“I can’t imagine a more fruitless and depressing endeavor than trying to raise money to help people create distance between themselves and God,” said Fischer. “God isn’t going anywhere, and the Scriptures make clear in places like Psalm 139 that’s impossible to flee the presence of God even if you want to. He will always stand ready to draw near to anyone who wants to draw near to him, no matter how far from him they’ve tried to get.”
And here’s the Hotline Project as of last night:
Thanks to your overwhelming support and generosity, we are thrilled to announce we have met our goal of raising $30,000 well ahead of our June 30th deadline, and we are now ready to launch the second phase of The Hotline Project: gathering and training volunteers.
115 | EPR-radar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:03:15pm |
re: #112 Kragar
May God bestir himself to no longer suffer the existence of hateful US ‘preachers’.
I’m not picky. A reverse rapture straight to Hell, or lightning bolts from a clear sky are both fine with me.
116 | Gus Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:04:27pm |
Greenwald and Schindler, Fistfight in Secrecy A heated debate only becomes more so. http://t.co/Hk2sA4FPMh— Gus (@Gus_802) June 20, 2013
117 | GeneJockey Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:04:59pm |
re: #115 EPR-radar
May God bestir himself to no longer suffer the existence of hateful US ‘preachers’.
I’m not picky. A reverse rapture straight to Hell, or lightning bolts from a clear sky are both fine with me.
Paralyzed larynx, anyone?
118 | freetoken Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:05:01pm |
Snowjob’s paradise:
Hong Kong Man Arrested for Cursing China’s President with Graffiti
Another story from a few months earlier:
Hong Kong Activist Jailed for Burning Chinese Flag
Quite the freedom loving paradise.
119 | GeneJockey Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:07:21pm |
re: #118 freetoken
I’m curious what the Wingnuts who advocate for an amendment to the Constitution to ban flag burning respond to that.
120 | McSpiff Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:07:33pm |
re: #116 Gus
Interesting that he’s distancing himself from the G20 article.
121 | EPR-radar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:09:02pm |
re: #118 freetoken
Picking on Snowflake is entertaining enough, but I am disappointed that this kind of circus is apparently what it takes to get some long-standing concerns by real people (i.e., members of Intelligence committees in Congress) addressed at all.
122 | Charles Johnson Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:09:30pm |
re: #120 McSpiff
Interesting that he’s distancing himself from the G20 article.
He’s afraid of the issue, and he should be. He’s been skating on the edge of the law with all of this, and he knows that would probably cause the ice to break.
123 | McSpiff Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:10:30pm |
re: #122 Charles Johnson
He’s afraid of the issue, and he should be. He’s been skating on the edge of the law with all of this, and he knows that would probably cause the ice to break.
Does he have reason to care? Would there be any precedent for an extradition over something like this? (Serious questions)
124 | Charles Johnson Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:11:39pm |
Stalkers now showing up at the Daily Beast, right on cue.
125 | Walking Spanish Down the Hall Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:12:35pm |
Has no one mentioned that the guillotines mentioned are only 8”high and designed to snip cigars?
126 | Decatur Deb Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:13:27pm |
re: #125 Walking Spanish Down the Hall
Has no one mentioned that the guillotines mentioned are only 8”high and designed to snip cigars?
Even more frightening!! Sometimes a cigar is not just a cigar.
127 | Gus Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:13:27pm |
re: #124 Charles Johnson
Stalkers now showing up at the Daily Beast, right on cue.
Totally off-topic right?
128 | Eclectic Cyborg Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:14:40pm |
re: #125 Walking Spanish Down the Hall
Has no one mentioned that the guillotines mentioned are only 8”high and designed to snip cigars?
They were probably left overs from the Clinton administration.
129 | Charles Johnson Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:16:09pm |
I answered a couple of comments there, but I never reply to stalkers, so if you don’t see me answer their ridiculous claims, that’s why.
130 | Decatur Deb Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:16:14pm |
re: #124 Charles Johnson
Stalkers now showing up at the Daily Beast, right on cue.
Good. The world must see their iron-bound logic and soaring prose.
131 | b.d. Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:16:26pm |
Great article Mr. Johnson, congratulations and thank you for educating.
132 | GeneJockey Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:17:12pm |
re: #125 Walking Spanish Down the Hall
Has no one mentioned that the guillotines mentioned are only 8”high and designed to snip cigars?
Like this?
133 | McSpiff Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:18:56pm |
As someone from an allied country, can I just say how much I appreciate US surveillance in general? See:
Communication Security Establishment, Canada’s NSA:
Canada has close intelligence relationships with the US, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, dating to the Second World War.
…
Canada benefits immeasurably from this allied partnering arrangement.
Or
The NORAD & USNORTHCOM Vision: With our trusted partners, we will defend North America by outpacing all threats, maintaining faith with our people and supporting them in their times of greatest need.
Or
Etc, Etc, Etc
134 | otoc Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:20:57pm |
re: #126 Decatur Deb
Even more frightening!! Sometimes a cigar is not just a cigar.
135 | Romantic Heretic Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:21:46pm |
re: #125 Walking Spanish Down the Hall
Has no one mentioned that the guillotines mentioned are only 8”high and designed to snip cigars?
They’re handy for getting recalcitrant informants to talk. Fingers fit in them quite nicely.
136 | Decatur Deb Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:22:32pm |
137 | darthstar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:23:22pm |
re: #116 Gus
@Gus_802 .@ggreenwald has to be one of the most insecure #journalists I've seen in years.— Sean McCabe (@darthstar99) June 20, 2013
138 | Political Atheist Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:23:26pm |
re: #129 Charles Johnson
Have you seen the Google search page today?
Security and privacy are not optional. Stand with a broad coalition to demand that the NSA stop watching us: stopwatching.us
Unwarranted government surveillance is an intrusion on basic human rights that threatens the very foundations of a democratic society.
Tim Berners Lee Wired
Stop Watching Us.
The revelations about the National Security Agency’s surveillance apparatus, if true, represent a stunning abuse of our basic rights. We demand the U.S. Congress reveal the full extent of the NSA’s spying programs.
Read the full letter to US Congress
140 | abolitionist Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:24:34pm |
re: #135 Romantic Heretic
They’re handy for getting recalcitrant informants to talk. Fingers fit in them quite nicely.
Ok, so our new digital age has some downside. [edits]
141 | freetoken Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:25:07pm |
re: #138 Political Atheist
The report of 30,000 guillotines, if true, represent a stunning abuse of our basic rights.
142 | Political Atheist Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:26:53pm |
re: #141 freetoken
Um, methinks the service is quite uncomfortable with a number of issues, quite aside from PRISM. Of course they took a big PR hit too. Seems unfair to lump Google in with the freepers or whoever runs with that other more far fetched garbage.
143 | Decatur Deb Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:27:59pm |
re: #141 freetoken
The report of 30,000 guillotines, if true, represent a stunning abuse of our basic rights.
Dunno. They might be those cheap plastic disposable guillotines. Good for one extended intaillable family at most.
144 | lawhawk Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:28:18pm |
re: #26 Charles Johnson
The complaint issued against the suspects Crawford and Feight highlights just how bizarre the plot was and how unfeasible the weapon they sought to make was. Oh, and is it surprising that the guy harbors anti-Obama sentiments as well:
Two months ago, in a five-part text message monitored by the FBI, Crawford discussed a battery power-supply for the weapon in messages laced with political anger. The text messages were sent on April 15, the day of the Boston Marathon bombing.
“Well, tell it to your treasoness bedwetting maggot in chief,” Crawford wrote, apparently referring to President Barack Obama, according to a transcript in the complaint. “He started bringing the scumbags (here) wholesale as he got in charge. He directed the ins (a former U.S. immigration agency) to start bringing the [bigoted word]s here without background checks.”
In numerous conversations of Crawford’s recounted in the complaint, he expresses awareness that the government may be monitoring his communications and purchases. He developed a system of code words, and said he planned to obtain fake identification listing his name as “Dimitri” in order to purchase items related to the alleged plot. Feight’s code name was “Yoda,” according to the complaint.
An FBI affidavit indicates that as many as eight unidentified people may have been assisting Crawford, including a fellow GE employee described as “Person C.” The complaint implies that some of those individuals may have known at least elements of what Crawford was trying to do.
It sounds like more arrests may be forthcoming as well.
145 | Charles Johnson Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:28:48pm |
re: #138 Political Atheist
That’s great. I’m totally onboard with that.
I hope no one has gotten the idea that I’m perfectly OK with the NSA’s metadata collection systems - I’m not. I think this kind of data for US citizens should be as private as possible.
What I am opposed to is the exaggeration and paranoia around these issues.
146 | Gus Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:32:26pm |
Greenwald: “once a target is confirmed to be within the US, interception must stop immediately.” And there you go.— Bob Cesca (@bobcesca_go) June 20, 2013
147 | Charles Johnson Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:34:56pm |
On the other hand, and this is where it does get murky, I also want the government to be as aggressive as possible about stopping terrorist plots.
That’s where compromises have to be made between privacy and security. But I don’t have a high level of confidence that privacy has been given the priority it should have. So if anything good comes of this it will be a better national discussion about the issue — because it’s not going to go away.
148 | Kragar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:35:43pm |
re: #146 Gus
Because no one living in the US could possibly be involved in terrorist activity.
149 | McSpiff Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:36:17pm |
re: #148 Kragar
Because no one living in the US could possibly be involved in terrorist activity.
No, thats when a court order is required.
150 | lawhawk Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:36:32pm |
re: #147 Charles Johnson
The discussion can only be as good as the facts that all parties to the discussion are using. If the basic facts can’t even be agreed upon, the discussion will collapse into a mess that we’re currently seeing.
151 | Decatur Deb Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:38:07pm |
re: #150 lawhawk
The discussion can only be as good as the facts that all parties to the discussion are using. If the basic facts can’t even be agreed upon, the discussion will collapse into a mess that we’re currently seeing.
And this realm is determinedly kept fact-free.
152 | darthstar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:39:00pm |
With white people who voted in 2008 but not 2012 the GOP could boost their electoral vote from just 206 all the way up to 206 @SeanTrende— Dana Houle (@DanaHoule) June 20, 2013
153 | b.d. Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:39:03pm |
re: #116 Gus
That is a pretty good exchange. Especially like this:
Last week #Snowden-Greewald duo had you thinking #NSA follows your every keystroke; now it’s down to “inadvertent collection” #wheresthebeef
I’m starting to think GG publishes articles just so he can have something new to argue about on Twitter
154 | Gus Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:45:16pm |
re: #153 b.d.
That is a pretty good exchange. Especially like this:
I’m starting to think GG publishes articles just so he can have something new to argue about on Twitter
He’s slowly debunking himself.
155 | Kragar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:46:29pm |
re: #154 Gus
He’s slowly debunking himself.
He’s going to end up losing an argument to his own sockpuppet.
156 | darthstar Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:46:36pm |
Here’s a kickstarter project everyone should get behind. We’re in for $200 already.
157 | GeneJockey Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:47:02pm |
re: #150 lawhawk
The discussion can only be as good as the facts that all parties to the discussion are using. If the basic facts can’t even be agreed upon, the discussion will collapse into a mess that we’re currently seeing.
Therein lies the problem at the heart of our increasingly pointless political discourse. In fewer and fewer areas are the basic facts mutually accepted. It ain’t just WRT the NSA. It’s EVERYTHING.
158 | Decatur Deb Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:53:40pm |
Zimmerman jury chosen: All women, 5 White, one Hispanic.
159 | Backwoods_Sleuth Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:53:53pm |
re: #93 darthstar
Paula Deen’s Bacon-Cheeseburger on a glazed donut, for example.
with extra butter…
161 | Joanne Thu, Jun 20, 2013 4:28:05pm |
re: #119 GeneJockey
I’m curious what the Wingnuts who advocate for an amendment to the Constitution to ban flag burning respond to that.
It’s China’s flag being burned. All good to the nutters.
162 | drool Thu, Jun 20, 2013 4:59:39pm |
Nicely written, Charles….and it’s very sane and sober. Something that has been lacking in the media on this topic.
163 | Vicious Babushka Thu, Jun 20, 2013 5:15:53pm |
re: #26 Charles Johnson
As the world gets even weirder. RT @TPM: Behind a Klansman’s plan to kill Muslims with a radiation death beam http://t.co/PfgxCh4cQ9— Charles Johnson (@Green_Footballs) June 20, 2013
I wonder if Pamela will call this guy a “hero.” He just seems like so her type.
164 | otoc Thu, Jun 20, 2013 6:21:15pm |
re: #145 Charles Johnson
I hope no one has gotten the idea that I’m perfectly OK with the NSA’s metadata collection systems - I’m not. I think this kind of data for US citizens should be as private as possible.
What I am opposed to is the exaggeration and paranoia around these issues.
I don’t see how one would think that after reading your close.
In the long run it’s a good thing that people are talking about these serious issues, and gaining some understanding of the kinds of privacy problems that inevitably arise in our age of technology. But some of the reporting, possibly driven by confirmation bias, verges on paranoid fear-mongering—and that’s never a good way to start a national conversation.
That is, unless that one was experiencing more of the signal traits of PPD than confirmation bias. ;)
The problem as I see it (on this point and your later thought), besides the crappy journalism that has extended into the world of some tech writers is the inability of elected officials to fully understand what their laws entail. Case in point, first round comments coming out that showed ignorance of what metadata really was, comments about what was heard during closed briefings that had to be recanted. Even an understanding of what existing due process is in place in terms of what gets reviewed by a court and what doesn’t. Obviously the wide net of the Patriot Act needs to be revisited with an understanding of what the technology means in terms of the law and where the law needs to advance in terms of technology. But that takes savvy elected officials. All I want to know is where the trigger point of me losing privacy comes in, not the methods- which only allow the bad guys to be another step ahead.
I don ned no stinkin reporter to be judge, jury, and executioner in deciding the outcome. Seems like you have done an exquisite job laying the argument out.
165 | chadu Thu, Jun 20, 2013 8:12:26pm |
re: #102 freetoken
Mr. Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran is concerned:
McCain: Middle East about to ‘erupt’
He so wants the US to get into another war.
Why?
He’s an asshole?
166 | chadu Thu, Jun 20, 2013 8:14:28pm |
167 | chadu Thu, Jun 20, 2013 8:18:05pm |
re: #166 chadu
(self-reply)
If people knew more about the technological hoops intercepts are required to jump through, much less the legal and political issues, they would see this as a non-issue.
It’s not *just* pushing a button.
168 | CuriousLurker Fri, Jun 21, 2013 2:41:03am |
re: #45 Gus
Guillo…? *thud…ROFLOL*
Just when you think the conspiracy theories can’t get any crazier…excuse me, but I think I feel another fit of giggles coming on…