Former Head of NSA Calls For Obama To Reject NSA Commission Recommendations 316
An anonymous reader writes that USA Today reports "Retired general Michael Hayden ... called on President Obama Monday to ... reject many of the recommendations of the commission he appointed to rein in NSA surveillance ... 'President Obama now has the burden of simply doing the right thing,' ... 'And I think some of the right things with regard to the commission's recommendations are not the popular things. They may not poll real well right now. They'll poll damn well after the next attack ...' ... The commission ... said the recommendations were designed to increase transparency, accountability and oversight at the NSA. Hayden ... oversaw the launch of some of the controversial programs ... He defended them as effective and properly overseen by congressional intelligence committees and a special court. 'Right now, since there have been no abuses and almost all the court decisions on this program have held that it's constitutional, I really don't know what problem we're trying to solve by changing how we do this,' he said."
Re:Perhaps if the public new the truth... (Score:3, Informative)
LOVEINT wasn't an abuse? The FISA courts taking about how the NSA was deceiving them wasn't abuse? What the fuck is Hayden smoking to be making such outlandish claims?
Re:Lame duck President (Score:4, Informative)
"Lame Duck" in politics means they're on their way out. Either they've already lost an election or, in this case, in his final term and can't run again. It has nothing to do with what he's done or what his goals are/were. It basically means he can do as he pleases and doesn't need to worry about what the voters think anymore.
No abuses? (Score:5, Informative)
NSA employee spied on nine women without detection [theguardian.com]
NSA broke privacy rules thousands of times per year, audit finds [washingtonpost.com]
No abuses, General?
Re:The key word is... (Score:4, Informative)
"There have been no abuses"
What about LOVEINT?
http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/09/26/20709855-loveint-nsa-letter-discloses-employee-eavesdropping-on-girlfriends-spouses?lite
I'd certainly call using your "catch the terrorists super-spying" powers to eavesdrop on your girlfriend an abuse of power. Of course, he'd probably just hand wave that away as inconsequential because [super spooky voice]TERRORISTS!!!!!![/super spooky voice]
Gen. Hayden Quote is Insane! (Score:4, Informative)
During the interview General Michael Hayen stated. "...and the only thing that people like me wish is: that when we do these kinds of decisions, that we base it on facts". Well, here are some facts for the POTUS to consider:
FACT - U.S. Intellegence agencies ignored credible tips that could have stopped 9/11 (Flight Instructor).
FACT - U.S. Intellegence agencies ignored credible tips that could have stopped the failed underwear bomber (Father).
FACT - U.S. Intellegence agencies ignored credible tips that could have stopped the Boston Marathon Bombings (Boston Murder / Russia).
FACT - Countries across the world are ceasing to use technology products with U.S. origin (Cisco, Google, etc), damaging the economy.
FACT - U.S. (CIA specifically) drone strikes kill innocent civilians and create more enemies of the U.S.
FACT - U.S. citizens killed by drone strikes are not provided due process.
FACT - Documents released by Snowden indicate that FISA judges found NSA activities unconstitutional.
In that light, General Michael Hayden and his ilk should be arrested for treason and war crimes. This may include members of the current and former exective branches (Read "Dirty Wars").
Re:Lame duck President (Score:5, Informative)
Hahaha. Trust me, if you think Chicago is bad you should see New York and LA.
Hollywood and New York are the original crony capitalism groups, by definition. Look at the NY judge that made up his own rules just to rule in the NSA's favor yesterday! Those rules and facts that he used don't even exist! If that's not a clear "I am sucking at the government teat" then I don't know what is.
Chicago's corruption is the police force, but not the legal system itself. New York's is 100% regulatory capture.
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20131230/11062925713/judge-who-ruled-favor-nsa-relied-911-report-that-doesnt-even-mention-what-he-claims-it-does.shtml [techdirt.com]