Supporters of the NSA surveillance program didn’t need an excuse for liking the idea of violating Americans’ privacy, but they’re pretty sure they found one with the new “terrorist threat” situation that led to a number of embassy closures.
Now Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R – GA) and others are loudly championing the intelligence as vindication for their long-standing disdain for personal privacy, though at the core of it there is no evidence that the “threat” had anything to do with NSA spying on Americans.
It’s telling that the only officials claiming to have seen the evidence behind the “threat” were already outspoken advocates of the surveillance state, while skeptics like Rep. Adam Schiff (R – CA) say there’s no reason to think the bulk metadata collection has anything to do with this putative plot.
If it was connected it would be the most convenient plot uncovering yet, but even as Chambliss et al. make the threat out as 9/11-esque, they are eagerly keeping everything secret from the American public.
When push comes to shove, the regime will create any pretext it deems necessary to justify itself.
Gee, and I was wondering why we were having a "terror threat" when we weren't even having an election. Now of course it makes sense. NSA under pressure because they've been continually breaking the law and constitution for years = time for a 'terror threat'
Remember, the NSA hasn't been able to stop anything from 9-11 to the Boston Marathon bombing yet. All the 'terror threat' arrests have been from FBI agents entrapping gullible people.
It looks as though it is almost time; the lights are about to go out.
One step at a time each window, each door is being shuttered and silence imposed.
if you read this in a john le carr novel you would want your money back.
Isn't that the truth! No suspense, drama or surprises here.
Just a great big BORING!
"…make the threat out as 9/11-esque…" And what happens when the American people don't believe what they're being told? Do the powers that be up the ante to get the attention – and fealty – of the citizens? You will be assimilated…or…
Like the American people in general, the Administration and its apparatchiks have lost confidence in Congress. Except, of course, for the few useful fools (tools?) that inhabit the intelligence committees who, thrown a few titbits of scarey stuff now and then, are happy to fall in line behind the curtain from where they pop out occasionally to shout BOO at the populace and collect more campaign contributions from the MIC.
And its not only intelligence stuff the administration won't share; they're also sitting tight on the TPP drafts. If the Administration doesn't trust the rank-and-file in Congress is it any wonder the electorate don't either?
Joe McCarthy running around waving a blank sheet of paper claiming its a secret list of Commies in the government.
These guys are doing everything possible to elicit retaliation for US crimes. Much of the world is outraged by drone strikes, serial aggression, betrayal, and surveillance. That's the drum we should be beating. Only at attack can save them from eventual consequences for their own criminal behavior and the institutional restraints they might occasion. They're going for broke. People need to understand recent history, or they'll have the desired reaction: instead of skepticism, obedience; instead of anger toward policy makers, anger against the defenseless people they've been taught to hate.