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r00t writes:
"In September of 2013, Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper stated that there were many 'important reasons' for the overly broad scope of the NSA's information collection programs. Among the reasons listed was that 'it could provide the United States and our allies early warning of international financial crises which could negatively impact the global economy.' Also mentioned was the long standing argument that the 'collection of information ... saves lives.'
In the months since the NSA data collections have come to light, many people question [pdf] the efficacy of the programs.
Now, in an exclusive interview, with The Beast, Clapper says that the NSA should have been more transparent about the secret programs. 'I probably shouldn't say this, but I will. Had we been transparent about this from the outset, we wouldn't have had the problem we had'. However, he still defends the practice by comparing it to 'fire insurance.'"
(Score: 5, Insightful) by TrumpetPower! on Thursday February 20 2014, @04:50AM
...because, short of at least a political revolution, we're never even going to have the pretense of a new boss again.
Some of all y'all might remember a little incident a few decades ago at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. Some of then-President Nixon's operatives got caught red-handed trying to spy on his political opponents.
If you think Nixon wouldn't have used the NSA had they had the capabilities they do today, I've got some prime Arizona oceanfront property to sell you.
And if you think today's NSA, especially in light of their activities spying on everybody from girlfriends to foreign heads of state, isn't playing fast and loose with power politics, I'll even add a bridge to the land deal.
Cheers,
b&
All but God can prove this sentence true.