Spy chief: China, Russia spying on US

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON - China and Russia are spying on the United States nearly as much as they did during the Cold War, according to the top U.S. intelligence official.

Mike McConnell, the director of national intelligence, says in testimony prepared for a Tuesday congressional hearing that a law passed last month expanding the U.S. government's eavesdropping power is needed to protect not just against terrorists but also against more traditional potential adversaries, such as those two Cold War foes.

"China and Russia's foreign intelligence services are among the most aggressive in collecting against sensitive and protected U.S. systems, facilities and development projects, and their efforts are approaching Cold War levels," McConnell says in his testimony. "Foreign intelligence information concerning the plans, activities and intentions of foreign powers and their agents is critical to protect the nation and preserve our security."

The new law will also enable the intelligence agencies to identify "sleeper cells" of terrorists in the United States, according to McConnell's statement to the House Judiciary Committee.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070918/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/spying_on_us

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This is a new marketing angle for the Protect America Act aka Spy on America Act.

When in doubt fall back on blaming Russia and China.

[xchrom]

1. and let me take a wild stab here -- we're spying on them? n/t

[Mojorabbit]

2. But of course

we would never spy on them.

[DS1]

3. Wow. This guy is GOOD!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. Did you read the whole article?

He really is a master of spin.

I'm afraid I should have put in my OP something about the Protect America Act aka Spy on America Act.

I don't think most people will get past the headline to see what this is really about.

[DS1]

5. Yes

I did. I saw what you're talking about. It also comes as no surprise.

Most of these aren't threats towards Nat'l Security, IMO, but threats towards corporate secrets and technology.

[BobTheSubgenius]

10. Pardon the thread drift, but...

...your photos are awesome. You really have an eye, my friend.

[DS1]

13. Thank you!

:hi:

[CountAllVotes]

20. I agree!

You've got a good eye alright!! :D

:kick:

[0007]

14. Prize winning photos, excellent! n/t

[DS1]

16. Thanks

:)

[Purveyor]

6. Say it ain't so!!! eom

[Skink]

7. Do spy and satellite not mean anything?

[countmyvote4real]

8. Hello? US is spying on US.

I just read the article linked in the OP. While this might be true, it doesn't even reference the * regime's spying on its own citizens.

[swag]

9. Gee, ya think?

You earned your money today, Mike. Go home and cook yourself a poptart. And top it with an extra scoop of ice cream.

[BobTheSubgenius]

11. Wow.

I could understand Israel spying on the US...but China and Russia?

[TheLastMohican]

12. What an idiot

Of course Russia and China can. Russia has just launched the brother of GPS system called GLONASS.
Is it more reason to start eavesdropping on your own citizens?

[Doctor_J]

15. Well, in that case, Cheney better spy on us

It's good for America

Signed
The Other Comrade Jeff

[bemildred]

17. No fooling this guy. Sharp as a tack, he is. nt

[Javaman]

18. And we are spying on us. nt

[JackORoses]

19. so it's China, Russia, Iran, Syria, and North Korea against us and our coalition?

We're having trouble with Iraq.

[cliss]

21. So now China + Russia are spying on us?

I thought the US was spying on us.

= we're the most spied-on people on earth.
************
I'd better start shaping up my phone conversations, since everyone's listening to me. Better stop talking about recipes, cleaning the kitchen floor, what's for dinner tonight.
Poor Russians & Chinese must be snoozing over that thrilling conversation.:smoke:

[hedgetrimmer]

22. Russia and China 'spying on US'

Source: BBC NEWS

Russia and China are spying on US facilities at close to Cold War levels, the head of US intelligence has warned.
Both were aggressively collecting information on the US, head of National Intelligence Michael McConnell warned.

US agencies are battling traditional state foes as well as terror groups, Mr McConnell told a congressional hearing.

Mr McConnell was defending new legislation allowing the US government to eavesdrop on international phone calls and emails without a warrant.

"Foreign intelligence information concerning the plans, activities and intentions of foreign powers and their agents is critical to protect the nation and preserve our security," Mr McConnell told the House Judiciary Committee.



Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7001856.stm

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Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Things are getting tricky for those of us who hold dear our civil liberties.

[Deja Q]

23. Like this?

http://news.netscape.com/story/2006/10/29/china-military-to-tour-us-bases/

:hide:

[hedgetrimmer]

26. How noble to have transparent spying. n/t

[laylah]

24. While I do not like

this scenerio; WTF are they doing any different than the US is? Huh? Huh? Huh? Idiot reporters, stir the soup but don't provide the main ingredient! JMJ, I despair we no longer have a valuable, viable, BELIEVABLE media.

[Turbineguy]

25. Duh.....

of course they are spying on the US. And the US is spying on them.

So what have the Russians and Chinese learned from spying on the US? That if the US wasn't so busy spying on Americans, they'd have more time to spy on the Russians and Chinese.

[madrchsod]

27. well they always have been....

but china is our best friend in the whole wide world and for russia, well ask condo rice, she`s the russian expert

[BootinUp]

28. I remember when I thought we had superior intelligence. n/t

[hedgetrimmer]

29. Longer Article: U.S.: spying by Russia and China near Cold War levels

http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=1499212007

[Sam Ervin jret]

30. WHAT DO WE EXPECT! WE PASSED A "WE CAN SPY ON ANYONE" BILL!!

Now we're P-offed that others are spying back? This is more Bush BULL SH&*T!! Oh my God! The BiG BAD guy are Spying on US! WE ARE SPYING ON US! The real TERROR comes from WITHIN. The devil within. We must open our eyes to the lies and manipulations around US every day.