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from the don't-care-what-you-want-we're-going-to-do-this dept.
A secret US tribunal ruled late Monday that the National Security Agency is free to continue its bulk telephone metadata surveillance program—the same spying that Congress voted to terminate weeks ago.
Congress disavowed the program NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden exposed when passing the USA Freedom Act, which President Barack Obama signed June 2. The act, however, allowed for the program to be extended for six months to allow "for an orderly transition" to a less-invasive telephone metadata spying program.
For that to happen, the Obama administration needed the blessing of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA Court). The government just revealed the order.
In setting aside an appellate court's ruling that the program was illegal, the FISA Court ruled that "Congress deliberately carved out a 180-day period following the date of enactment in which such collection was specially authorized. For this reason, the Court approves the application (PDF) in this case."
Original Submission
(Score: 2) by frojack on Thursday July 02 2015, @01:27AM
They need to cover the negative press.
So just like clockwork, here it comes U.S. boosting security measures ahead of July 4th [cnn.com]
One interview on a news program had New York Representative King [foxnews.com] saying:
King told Megyn Kelly that behind the scenes, law enforcement agencies that are monitoring this situation are very concerned.
"People should be concerned," King said. "ISIS has called for attacks during Ramadan. This July 4th occurs during Ramadan."
He added that this is "the most concerned" he has seen the FBI, the DHS and local law enforcement agencies since 9/11.
Never mind the small print further down in the story from CNN you read this:
"There is no specific, credible intelligence to indicate any threats against celebrations over the Fourth of July weekend," the official said. "However, we have seen repeatedly calls for violence over the past year by leadership and supporters of (ISIS) against members of the military and military installations, law enforcement, the U.S. government, and the American public. These threats are always taken seriously and we continue to work with state and local law enforcement to ensure their safety."
He indicated NYC was filling garbage trucks with sand to act as blast barriers and had nuclear explosive detection equipment at the ready.
It would be laughable if it weren't so predictable.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.