So it seems that BushCo let the cat out of the bag in regards to Snoopgate

[sabra]

First we had Chertoff reveal to us, that it is essentially a data mining program. They are combing through
volumes and volumes of data. Maybe even everything?

http://www.reporter-times.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=30032&format=html

NSA data mining is legal, necessary, Chertoff says

<snip>

While refusing to discuss how the highly classified program works, Chertoff made it pretty clear that it involves "data-mining" -- collecting vast amounts of international communications data, running it through computers to spot key words and honing in on potential terrorists.

...

"It's hard to talk about classified stuff," he said, "but suffice it to say that if you have a large volume of data, a large number of (phone) numbers you're intercepting, the typical model for any kind of warrant requires you to establish probable cause (that one party is a foreign agent) on an individual number."

But of course their argument is, that they only pick out those who are suspected "terrorists". But what about all the rest of the intercepts? Are they thrown to the wayside? Bryan Cunningham, a former official with the Bush National Security Council, revealed something interesting to Fox News yesterday:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,182824,00.html

NSA Wiretap Legal Debate Narrows
<snip>

Other experts agree that a warrant is not needed until the U.S.-based individual becomes a suspect.

"If ... you are not targeting the person in the United States, you get the conversations, you are perfectly free to use those, that information provide it to other government agencies, if you want," said Bryan Cunningham, a former official with the Bush National Security Council.

If I am reading this correctly, if you are not a "target", they can still sift through the intercept, and then provide it to other gov't agencies. Hmm, and what other agencies are they providing this "non target" info too? The RNC?

[Armstead]

1. k and r

[converted_democrat]

2. Jesus... n/t

[sabra]

3. If I am reading this correctly, I agree with your sentiment...

and I am not even Christian :-)

[converted_democrat]

9. You're reading it correctly...

:-)

[jimshoes]

4. Key words they are looking for

might be:
democrat
reelection
opposition
strategy
no good bush asswipe
crook
impeachment
indict
fitzgerald
etc.

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. In other words, the program is an utter fraud that has zero chance

of providing any useful information. It's pure Potemkin, served up to make the rubes think they are "doing something" about protecting them from evil arabs.

[sabra]

6. it also seems like that can still "analyze", all the non hits too...

[The_Casual_Observer]

8. This is possible, however I doubt that they are capable of

analyzing anything.

[mzmolly]

7. So a guy who perhaps sells pot and hates GWB can suddenly

find himself arrested for dealing because he said a "key" word?

Interesting. I must share this with my Green friends who voted for Nader because of the issue of legalization. :rofl:

I realize this isn't a laughing matter, but at this point - it's laugh or cry, and I'm tired of the later.

[Nikki Stone 1]

11. Yikes

:kick:

[yodermon]

10. Isn't this just project ECHELON?

Haven't they been doing this for years anyway?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECHELON

[sabra]

12. What about Cunningham's revelation of being able to pass

non-target intercepts to other agencies?

[phusion]

13. So is Former NSA Head General Hayden LYING?

From Democracy Now! Tuesday:
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/01/24/1516258

TRAVIS MORALES: Will you openly and publicly debate us, myself, in a forum that's open to the public, not restricted, on the N.S.A. spying scandal and defend what has been said and respond to the numerous reports about the N.S.A. spying on millions of people? That is one question. The second question is: Are you spying on or intercepting our communications, e-mails and telephone conversations, of those of us who are organizing the World Can't Wait to Drive Out the Bush Regime?

GEN. MICHAEL HAYDEN: You know, I tried to make this as clear as I could in my prepared remarks. I said this isn’t a drift net. I said we're not out there sucking up comms and then using some of these magically alleged key word searches. ‘Did he say jihad? Let’s get --’ That is not -- do you know how much time Americans spend on the phone in international calls alone? Okay? In 2003, our citizenry was on the phone in international calls alone for 200 billion minutes. I mean, beyond the ethical considerations involved here, there are some practical considerations about being a drift net. This is targeted. This is focused. This is about al-Qaeda.

[RebelOne]

14. HONING IN????

Someone isn't too good with grammar and spelling. It should be HOMING IN!!!

collecting vast amounts of international communications data, running it through computers to spot key words and "honing" in on potential terrorists.

[jackstraw45]

15. IRS---->audits of admin. enemies?

The possibilities are endless and PROVE that this is a BIG BROTHER country we are living in.

Welcome to 1984.

"The reminder is to all Americans that they need to watch what they say, watch what they do..."

- Ari Fleischer, 2001

[rateyes]

16. Doesn't this law as well...

state that if a conversation is overhead that concerns people not covered by the FISA warrant, that all records of that conversation are to be destroyed? And, they didn't do that, if I've been reading correctly.

[sabra]

17. you and I are reading this the same way... this seems to be very telling?

[rateyes]

19. Bush is in sheep dit. nt

[stickdog]

18. Yes. It's the ultimate fishing expedition, and we're all bait. (nt)

[Pachamama]

20. Poindexter's Total Info Awareness Prgm never died-it just went underground

When the news first broke in December about Domestic warrantless spying, there was absolutely no question in my mind about what I have long believed and that is that the data mining TIA program from Poindexter was nevers shelfed, but rather moved underground. Leopards don't change their spots or ways...Just like before with the Iran-Contra crimes, the very same players do the same game over and over again and have only gotten more bold and covert about it.

I agree that they let the cat out of the bag on what the program is...I'm sure that its even more clever and devious in its implementation than we can imagine.....as well as wide-spread in its use and application.