Robert Scheer: The True Patriots in Congress Trying to End NSA Tyranny

[marmar]

from truthdig:


The True Patriots in Congress Trying to End NSA Tyranny

Posted on Nov 11, 2013
By Robert Scheer


Good old George can stop spinning in his grave. Yes, that George, our most heroic general and inspiring president, who warned us in his farewell address “to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. ...” It’s an alert that’s been ignored in the nation’s hysterical reaction to the attacks of 9/11 that culminated in the NSA’s assault on our Constitution’s guarantee of “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures. ...”

That right was reaffirmed boldly and righteously Monday, for the entire world to hear, by F. James Sensenbrenner, the Republican chair of the House Judiciary Committee, which unanimously had produced the USA Patriot Act. Speaking on Monday at the Civil Liberties Committee of the European Parliament, Sensenbrenner blasted the misuse of the Patriot Act by the NSA and other government agencies entrusted with ensuring the nation’s safety.

“But the NSA abused that trust. It ignored restrictions painstakingly crafted by lawmakers and assumed a plenary authority we never imagined,” the Wisconsin congressman said. “Worse, the NSA has cloaked its operations behind such a thick cloud of secrecy that even if the NSA promised reforms, we would lack the ability to verify them.

“The constant stream of disclosures about U.S. surveillance since June has surprised and appalled me as much as it has the American public and our international allies,” Sensenbrenner continued. “I have therefore introduced legislation along with Senator Patrick Leahy, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that will curtail surveillance abuses and restore trust in the U.S. intelligence community.” .........................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_true_patriots_in_congress_trying_to_end_nsa_tyranny_20131111

[RC]

1. We will not be able to restore the trust in the U.S. intelligence community with the NSA still in

existence.
Dismantle the NSA, dismantle their spy farms. Remove the 'splitter rooms'. Fair trials and prison terms for those running the NSA that allowed or caused it to become a rogue agency, a power unto itself.

"We the people..." are not the real enemy here. Some uncontroled agencies of our government are. The NSA is not as concerned about terrorism, as they are about the American people waking up and working to regain our lost Rights and freedoms.

[hootinholler]

2. Except it didn't start on 9/11

Started waaay before that ask Senator Church.

[Blue_Tires]

3. I never, ever, EVER thought I'd see "Sensenbrenner" and "true patriot" in the same piece