U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., on NSA and Snowden.

[bluedigger]

In response to a question from The Durango Herald, Udall expressed reservations about other forms of cutting-edge technology, the surveillance programs of the National Security Agency.

He called for an end to Section 215 of the Patriot Act, which has been interpreted to allow the bulk collection of Americans’ phone records. He described it as a “meta data” because it targets “who you called and when” but not the content of the phone conversations.

“The NSA makes the case by taking all that meta data, we can examine it and get a sense of patterns. Well, they’re right. They can. Some people think that’s not a violation of your privacy; I think it is,” Udall said.

...

Udall said there should be “a big, national discussion to the size of the intelligence complex. We have 400,000 contractors. Think of an Eric Snowden figure who wanted to use this data for malevolent purposes. We can debate whether he’s a hero or a traitor or a leaker or a whistle blower. He ought to come back and stand trial, in my opinion.”

http://www.cortezjournal.com/article/20130812/NEWS01/130819975/Udall-praises-parks%E2%80%99-energy-insights-

I like my Senator.

Also, Broncos in, Cowboys out!

Yay, Mesa Verde!

[Fawke Em]

1. It is a violation of our Fourth Amendment rights because it's identifiable.

I work in marketing/PR for an information security company and our analysts will tell you that meta data contains info that can specifically ID an individual.

[quinnox]

2. He is very courageous. I really like my senator, Wyden

These two are leading the charge against the domestic spying nonsense.

[cali]

4. Actually, Leahy has been leading that fight for years and years

introducing and reintroducing legislation to do so. Not that Wyden and Udall don't deserve a lot of credit.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/24/patrick-leahy-nsa_n_3492512.html

http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/31/politics/nsa-surveillance

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing titled “Strengthening Privacy Rights and National Security: Oversight of FISA Surveillance Programs.” Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has long called for strong oversight of government surveillance programs, and he recently introduced the bipartisan FISA Accountability and Privacy Protection Act of 2013, which would add important reforms and improve certain provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act and FISA Amendments Act.

http://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/senate-judiciary-committee-holds-oversight-hearing-on-government-surveillance-programs

From 2006:

In response to U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' defense of the National Security Agency's domestic surveillance program, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., called the program illegal and said it threatens civil liberties in the United States.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/jan-june06/leahy_1-23.html

Domestic Surveillance Oversight Act of 2003
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] (Introduced 02/25/2003)
Cosponsors: 6
Latest Action: 02/25/2003 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2705-2706)

http://beta.congress.gov/member/patrick-leahy/1383?pageSize=50&Sponsorship=Sponsored+Legislation&Subject_of_Legislation=Armed+Forces+and+National+Security&page=3

[quinnox]

5. huh, didn't know that. Then I also give Leahy full credit for his efforts!

[bluedigger]

6. Leahy is a very good Senator, as well.

He needs a lot of help, because it is a heavy lift.

[cascadiance]

7. Leahy's history defending internet speech rights goes back to when he lead the fight against the CDA

(Communications Decency Act) ... back in the 1990's which was part of the 1996 Telecommunications Act that Clinton signed in to law. Fortunately the courts struck down that unconstitutional POS, but at the time, Senator Leahy was the leader in fighting this fight for our rights online then.

http://cypherpunks.venona.com/date/1996/02/msg01180.html

I seriously sent notes to him wanting him to consider running for president back in those days...

[fizzgig]

3. i like our senator, too