Jana Kasperkevic writes at The Guardian that it’s not every day that you get to buy an iPhone from an ex-NSA officer. Yet Thomas Drake, former senior executive at National Security Agency, is well known in the national security circles for leaking information about the NSA’s Trailblazer project to Baltimore Sun. In 2010, the government dropped all 10 felony charges against him and he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for unauthorized use of a computer and lost his livelihood. “You have to mortgage your house, you have to empty your bank account. I went from making well over $150,000 a year to a quarter of that,” says Drake. “The cost alone, financially — never mind the personal cost — is approaching million dollars in terms of lost income, expenses and other costs I incurred.”
John Kiriakou became the first former government official to confirm the use of waterboarding against al-Qaida suspects in 2009. “I have applied for every job I can think of — everything from grocery stores to Toys R Us to Starbucks. You name it, I’ve applied there. Haven’t gotten even an email or a call back,” says Kiriakou. According to Kasperkevic, this is what most whistleblowers can expect. The potential threat of prosecution, the mounting legal bills and the lack of future job opportunities all contribute to a hesitation among many to rock the boat. "Obama and his attorney general, Eric Holder, declared a war on whistleblowers virtually as soon as they assumed office," says Kiriakou. "Washington has always needed an "ism" to fight against, an idea against which it could rally its citizens like lemmings. First, it was anarchism, then socialism, then communism. Now, it's terrorism. Any whistleblower who goes public in the name of protecting human rights or civil liberties is accused of helping the terrorists."
(Score: 3, Interesting) by zugedneb on Sunday September 28 2014, @01:17AM
Is there a law regulating what tactics and measures the US government can employ, or is there none?
If there is a law, who's responsibility is it to see that it's being followed?
If the law is breached, is there a way to "..." ? (...=whatever fits the context)
If the is no law, and no one to enforce it, then there is no reason to complain...
If there is a law, and there are those who should enforce it, but do not, than there is the problem...
I assume that there are some treaties and laws, and I assume that those that should see them enforced, and investigate breach, are not.
Why are they not doing their job?
old saying: "a troll is a window into the soul of humanity" + also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ajax
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Thexalon on Sunday September 28 2014, @01:50AM
There is a great deal of relevant law, but the people and government organizations responsible for enforcing it are among those who are breaking it.
And yes, that's a big part of the problem, but not one that I expect to see fixed anytime soon.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.
(Score: 3, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @02:36AM
The problem is older than any extant nation.
Who watches the watchmen? [wikipedia.org]
The Congress abdicated all responsibility on October 26, 2001 [wikipedia.org] and made sure the age of the Imperial Presidency had arrived.
A new President took office on January 20, 2009. [wikipedia.org]
Not only was he a Democrat, his father was a black African.
The Republican majority in the House of Representatives went ballistic.
They decided that their ONLY priority was that that guy would never get credit for doing anything.
The Supreme Court of the USA decided on January 21, 2010 [wikipedia.org] that the government was up for auction to the highest bidder.
Just the other day, the highest law enforcement official in the USA decided that he had made enough connections with the USA's real power brokers and had squashed enough actions against Corporate America [alternet.org] and he was ready to pass back through the revolving door. [wikipedia.org]
These are the things that happen when a nation abandons any pretense at democracy and becomes an empire.
(Score: 0, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @02:48AM
That's interesting. In many ways I think it parallels what we've seen with Debian and its use of systemd. Responsibility and logic have been thrown out the window in favor of engaging in actions that are overtly harmful. In the Debian case, it's the eventual integration of systemd. As astute sysadmins and devs know, systemd destroys everything that's good about Linux. Here we have Debian throwing out its long-held principles and its dedication to quality and doing things right, all in favor of integrating some of the most controversial and hated software ever created. Debian could very well be considered an "empire in decline" these days.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @09:18AM
Do we really need a systemd comment in every story?!
(Score: 0, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @11:39AM
I think it's a very relevant thing to discuss here. The parallels are there, for sure. It backs up the idea that this is a matter of organizational decline. That organization can be an open source project, or even an entire nation.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @05:01PM
Fuck beta!
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @07:21AM
To be fair to history, Obama's hardly the only president against whom Congress has gone ballistic. Consider the Clinton impeachment: it was a joke designed to keep the House from doing anything.
Pretenses at democracy were abandoned earlier: the Scots could teach nineteenth century Americans a thing or two about how to handle secession debates in a democratic fashion. Keeping around a standing army wasn't even in the plans for the Founders, because standing armies were the tools of tyrants; hence the need for militias and a Second Amendment. We have a standing army and then some: in fact, the military-industrial complex seems to take precedence in government spending even during peacetime and as civilian infrastructure goes underfunded. You could blame that on the current Congress, or you could look at Reagan's spending priorities or even Johnson's, blowing money on Vietnam when he could have better funded the "War on Poverty."
The current Congress is a joke, but it's a stale, old joke.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by frojack on Sunday September 28 2014, @04:35AM
With probably one of the most corrupt Attorney General of all time resigning, (can we have Ed Meese back please), you have to just how eager the replacement will be to fall on his sword for Obama.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 2) by frojack on Sunday September 28 2014, @04:36AM
just have to wonder.
Proof reading fail.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Thexalon on Sunday September 28 2014, @07:18PM
Really? Of all time? I mean, I get that his protection of banks and going after whistleblowers and invasions of privacy are no good, but consider his "illustrious" company (and I'm just going from off the top of my head here):
- Alberto Gonzales: Torture is just fine, locking people up forever without trying them is just fine, but I don't remember anything about that criminal conspiracy I was almost definitely involved in.
- John Ashcroft: Rounding up and locking up several thousand people who haven't committed any crimes is just fine, but let's make sure nobody has a chance to talk to the nice bin Laden family before they leave the country. Approved spying on everybody in America without any kind of warrant.
- Janet Reno: You might remember that little dust-up in Waco, TX. Also some files that went mysteriously missing that were thought to implicate Bill Clinton in something.
- Edwin Meese: Involved in an oil pipeline scandal in Iraq that I'm sure had nothing to do with why the US government was so interested in that country.
- John Mitchell: Managed Richard Nixon's campaign slush fund, used to pay for Watergate and all the related scandals.
- A. Mitchell Palmer: Inflicted J Edgar Hoover on everyone else. Imprisoned thousands of people for being members of the wrong organizations or having the wrong political opinions.
I never put much stock in claims of "The worst ______ of all time". For example, the worst US president of all time was probably neither Barack Obama nor George W Bush, but either James Buchanan (who stood by carefully doing nothing useful while the country split itself in two) or James Madison (who managed to lose control over the US capital city).
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @01:23AM
There are lots of people in the open source community today who are blowing the whistle on systemd. Much of the discussion is being saved to mailing lists and other archives.
Will these people be vilified for pointing out how flawed systemd is? Will they be skipped over for jobs because they dared to question bad technology pushed by certain prominent companies and the programmers they employ?
Or will they be seen as heroes, fighting against poor software design, in a valiant attempt to do the job right?
(Score: 0, Offtopic) by c0lo on Sunday September 28 2014, @02:24AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2, Offtopic) by darkfeline on Sunday September 28 2014, @02:26AM
What's with all of the systemd hating ACs posting mindless off-topic shit? If you're going to have a rational discussion on systemd, take it to the relevant mailing lists. If you're going to post irrational/off-topic shrill whining, go make an IRC room on rizon or something. But keep it off of unrelated SN posts, thanks.
Join the SDF Public Access UNIX System today!
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @02:45AM
I don't think that systemd is ever off-topic. It's something that affects everything and everyone, whether they realize it or not. The Internet and the web depend heavily on Linux. If Linux is destroyed thanks to systemd, then Internet and the web will be severely affected in the most negative ways possible. In case you aren't aware, you're using the Internet right now to read these submissions and the articles. That makes systemd always on-topic for any submission.
And it isn't just Anonymous Coward commenters who are disgusted by systemd. There are lots of users with registered users who express the same disgust. Sorry, chap, but your pathetic attempt to discredit those who are smart enough to say NO! to systemd has failed.
(Score: 2, Offtopic) by Tork on Sunday September 28 2014, @03:37AM
I don't think that systemd is ever off-topic. It's something that affects everything and everyone, whether they realize it or not.
Okay. Then you forfeit your right to bitch about Soylent covering Global Warming, Fergason Missouri, or fighting ISIS.
🏳️🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️🌈
(Score: 2, Offtopic) by frojack on Sunday September 28 2014, @04:29AM
This!
SystemD is not the end of the world.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @04:51AM
I'm not the AC trying to turn every thread into a systemd discussion, but I feel obligated to point out that the name is ``systemd'', not ``systemD''.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @08:04PM
(Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @01:41PM
systemd is totally related to technology. It's related to the most important technology there is: Linux. That means it's always on-topic. The other things you mention aren't relevant. They're just scientists making stuff up to get funding, or criminals acting criminally and then getting shot, or just third-worlders being third-worlders. They don't involve Linux, which makes them irrelevant.
(Score: 2) by Tork on Sunday September 28 2014, @06:23PM
It's related to the most important technology there is: Linux. That means it's always on-topic.
Okay, I just wanted to highlight this little bit right here.
The other things you mention aren't relevant.
Let's test your examples based on your criteria:
They're just scientists making stuff up to get funding...
And what are they using to generate their models? Graph paper?
... or criminals acting criminally and then getting shot...
Ah yes, funny thing about that. Not only did technology show us that he wasn't a criminal, but that the protesters weren't criminals either. Two different videos taken by cellphones (Android phones, specifically) nearby corroborated witness reporters that he was shot while surrendering. Also, since you frequent Solyent News (running off Linux servers), you're also aware that the victim actually did pay for the merchandise at the store. Just think, if their servers used systemd, you may never have learned that critical detail to that story!! Also, during the protests, several of the protesters attended using Android phones to live-stream their experience through YouTube. Not only did it show that the protests were peaceful, but the small handful of opportunists were actually stopped by the protesters because the police were stuck behind the line they had drawn. Thanks to Linux and SN's broader source of news than /., you are more knowledgeable about the situation than somebody who's just watching the news on TV.
... or just third-worlders being third-worlders.
Yes, typical third-worlders who have taken over Iraq and managed to earn airstrikes from the United States with a surprisingly little amount of fuss, at least compared to the last time those sorts of bombings happened. Never mind that these guys will almost certainly use services like TOR, which will inspire the US to spend even more resources on cracking down on usage of it, but the video they made used as a threat to us used lots of slick compositing effects. And as we all know, Linux is hilariously under-suited for that sort of task for no real good reason other than nobody wants to put time into a competent Open Source equivalent of After Effects. That alone is worthy of discussion, I mean these guys could have used OSS but instead they likely pirated software on Windows to get that task done.
They don't involve Linux, which makes them irrelevant.
Your conclusion is clearly wrong. But... it also means you're right! Earlier you said "I don't think that systemd is ever off-topic. It's something that affects everything and everyone, whether they realize it or not.", and these examples prove that to be true! Now I realize you'd like a frothing Android fanboy who would like to talk about Apple every chance he gets, but if you open your mind to the broader range of stories, you'll get your wish... far more opportunities to talk about systemd! The best part is that it only helps you. I happen to know for a fact that you've dealt with crazy weather, don't want to be frivolously judged and beaten by law enforcement, and have (and will be) affected by ISIS one way or another. So you can use your disturbingly single-minded obsession to serve you.
So carry on, you're doing us all a service!
🏳️🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️🌈
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday September 29 2014, @12:16AM
LOL!
(Score: 2) by Tork on Monday September 29 2014, @01:18AM
🏳️🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️🌈
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday September 29 2014, @01:21AM
What the fuck is systemd and why should I care? No, don't tell me, because I don't care, and I never will.
Just because your pet project isn't succeeding doesn't mean you get free rein to bitch and whine about it everywhere. Its not relevant anywhere except discussions about whatever-the-fuck its used for and whatever-the-fuck its used in, nowhere else. This is not a systemd story; its not even a computer-related story. That means shut the fuck up and stop whining about whatever-the-fuck it is you're crying about.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @04:57AM
Next time someone says down-mods should be less easy than up-mods, or otherwise result in a penalty for over-use, remember this systemd freak.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @09:21PM
(Score: 2) by cafebabe on Sunday September 28 2014, @10:14AM
Would that be the mailing lists that ban users for discussing systemd [debianuserforums.org]? I don't know if it is the intention, but not being able to discuss it in the relevant place is causing a Streisand effect [wikipedia.org].
1702845791×2
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @02:32AM
When I go to soylentnews.com, I get redirected to soylentnews.org.
When I go to www.soylentnews.com I get a page saying "This domain name has been registered with Gandi.net"!
I think that www.soylentnews.com should redirect to soylentnews.org instead.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @02:58AM
There was a previous subthread [soylentnews.org] about Peter Van Buren and what he needed to do to have an income while his case against the USA gov't for false termination or whatever worked itself out.
The tile was "I'm a Whistleblower. Want Fries With That?".
-- gewg_
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @05:14AM
change your name at least i would have thought (or if that isn't possible move to a different country)
not ideal but unfortunately even patriotism has its cost
(Score: 4, Informative) by Snotnose on Sunday September 28 2014, @05:52AM
The government has unlimited manpower and resources to prosecute you with. You have, what, your 401k and house equity? When you run out of money you take the best plea deal you can get and live with it. If you go to trial and win do you get your 401k and house back? Not likely.
Even better is if you get a hung jury and the DA decides to re-try the case. Now you have no house, no 401k, the relatives are tapped out, you sold your Star Wars collection, and your kid's piggy bank is empty. Now what do you do?
We don't have a justice system, we have a legal system. Unless you have millions you're screwed if you're ever accused of anything.
I don't know what the solution is, but the present system seriously sucks if you ever get accused of anything.
When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 28 2014, @06:32AM
AFTER you've been to RECALL.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Phoenix666 on Sunday September 28 2014, @09:56AM
Default encryption on the new iPhone, Bitcoin, renewable energy, crowdsourcing...humanity is working hard to route around the damage of government and its cronies. Let's do our part, geeks. Instead of spending our spare time working on game mods, let's spend it on revolutionary apps and systems that disintermediate the Powers-that-Be.
Washington DC delenda est.