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ProSense

(116,464 posts)
Thu Mar 27, 2014, 04:47 PM Mar 2014

ACLU: President Announces Reforms to Rein in NSA Spying on Americans

President Announces Reforms to Rein in NSA Spying on Americans

NEW YORK – President Obama today announced a plan to end the NSA’s mass collection of phone records. According to the proposal to change surveillance under the Patriot Act’s Section 215, the government would request records from phone companies using court orders based on individual suspicion.

Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, had this reaction:

“The president’s plan is a major step in the right direction and a victory for privacy. But this must be the beginning of surveillance reform, not the end. It is gratifying to know that the president has heard the growing bipartisan opposition to the NSA’S mass collection of phone records, and will heed the advice of his own review panel. However, today's announcement leaves in place other surveillance programs with equally troubling implications for civil liberties. Comprehensive reform should begin with passage of the USA FREEDOM Act, a bill that safeguards privacy while also ensuring that the government has the tools it needs to investigate real threats. We must restore the proper balance between security and our constitutional rights.”

https://www.aclu.org/national-security/president-announces-reforms-rein-nsa-spying-americans
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ACLU: President Announces Reforms to Rein in NSA Spying on Americans (Original Post) ProSense Mar 2014 OP
Kick! n/t ProSense Mar 2014 #1
Another! n/t ProSense Mar 2014 #2
Thank you, Snowden! whatchamacallit Mar 2014 #3
I knew ProSense Mar 2014 #4
It IS about reform whatchamacallit Mar 2014 #5
Well, ProSense Mar 2014 #6
Your opinion of Snowden aside whatchamacallit Mar 2014 #7
See ProSense Mar 2014 #8
Are you seriously claiming these reforms would have happened without him? whatchamacallit Mar 2014 #10
The spin crew has kind of been thrown under the bus here. Marr Mar 2014 #11
"they've been arguing that the NSA's actions are just fine" ProSense Mar 2014 #13
Obama Shuts Down NSA Cybersecurity Proposal ProSense Mar 2014 #14
Snowden's fan club helped to hype his involvement. ProSense Mar 2014 #12
I know this is a waste of time but whatchamacallit Mar 2014 #17
You're right. n/t ProSense Mar 2014 #18
Haha I see what you did there! whatchamacallit Mar 2014 #19
Thank you, Mr. President. GiveMeMorePIE Mar 2014 #15
k&r nt steve2470 Mar 2014 #9
Thanks Edward Snowden Steve Martines Mar 2014 #16
Don't look for many kudos for the President here. Just move on. nt kelliekat44 Mar 2014 #20

ProSense

(116,464 posts)
4. I knew
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 11:51 AM
Mar 2014

"Thank you, Snowden!"

...it was never about reform, which is why until that comment, this thread sank like a rock.



ProSense

(116,464 posts)
6. Well,
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 11:58 AM
Mar 2014

"It IS about reform

Reform that never would have happened without the bravery of whistleblowers."

...I knew that too, which is why you mentioned Snowden, and now the "bravery of whistleblowers."

There are many brave whistleblowers, unfortunately Snowden is neither brave or a whistleblower.

Snowden/Greenwald did not disclose the NSA's bulk phone metadata collection program to the public
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024723182

Jimmy Carter says he would consider pardoning Edward Snowden
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024730948







whatchamacallit

(15,558 posts)
7. Your opinion of Snowden aside
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 12:01 PM
Mar 2014

there's no denying his acts were instrumental in the reforms you highlight today.

ProSense

(116,464 posts)
8. See
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 12:11 PM
Mar 2014

"there's no denying his acts were instrumental in the reforms you highlight today. "

...it's about Snowden, not the "bravery" of individuals who actually revealed the information long before he entered the picture.

whatchamacallit

(15,558 posts)
10. Are you seriously claiming these reforms would have happened without him?
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 12:24 PM
Mar 2014

Honestly Pro, you're the one obsessed with Snowden.

 

Marr

(20,317 posts)
11. The spin crew has kind of been thrown under the bus here.
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 12:32 PM
Mar 2014

I almost feel bad for them. For a very long time, they've been arguing that the NSA's actions are just fine, and that Snowden's revelations are both horrifically damaging to the US and, somehow, 'old news'.

The President himself is now acknowledging overreach. So the spin machine is well and truly confused. I mean, it's hard to clap for someone who fixes a problem you were insisting did not even exist just a few days ago without looking like a schmuck.

ProSense

(116,464 posts)
13. "they've been arguing that the NSA's actions are just fine"
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 12:35 PM
Mar 2014

"The President himself is now acknowledging overreach. "

Who the hell argued that the NSA actions were "fine"?

whatchamacallit

(15,558 posts)
17. I know this is a waste of time but
Fri Mar 28, 2014, 03:09 PM
Mar 2014

Imagine you have a dick neighbor. Maybe he's loud and obnoxious, flies a confederate flag, openly disrespects his wife, whatever... One night you're awakened by his pounding at your door and he's shouting that your house is on fire. At that moment, regardless of his shortcomings, he did you a solid and you owe him some gratitude. That's how I feel about Snowden. I don't have to be a "fan" to appreciate what he did.

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