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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsACLU: President Announces Reforms to Rein in NSA Spying on Americans
NEW YORK President Obama today announced a plan to end the NSAs mass collection of phone records. According to the proposal to change surveillance under the Patriot Acts 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 presidents 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 NSAS 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
ProSense
(116,464 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)whatchamacallit
(15,558 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)"Thank you, Snowden!"
...it was never about reform, which is why until that comment, this thread sank like a rock.
whatchamacallit
(15,558 posts)Reform that never would have happened without the bravery of whistleblowers.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"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)there's no denying his acts were instrumental in the reforms you highlight today.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"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)Honestly Pro, you're the one obsessed with Snowden.
Marr
(20,317 posts)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)"The President himself is now acknowledging overreach. "
Who the hell argued that the NSA actions were "fine"?
ProSense
(116,464 posts)http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/02/obama-shuts-down-nsa-cybersecurity-proposal
That pre-dates Snowden.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)The reality is that Snowden fucked up.
whatchamacallit
(15,558 posts)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.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)whatchamacallit
(15,558 posts)GiveMeMorePIE
(54 posts)Fixed it for you.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)Steve Martines
(22 posts)This wouldn't be happening with your courageous actions.