I am a law-abiding citizen, I have been my whole life, and I see no reason to start breaking the law now. What is the big deal if some guy, some where is watching me go into a grocery store? Nothing if I’m not robbing it. I love all these people who scream its violating my privacy. Why, are you doing something wrong, or will you?
Section 215 of the Patriot Act authorizes the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to issue orders allowing the gathering of info from Credit card companies, Telephone co’s, Banks, Car Rentals, ISP’s, with of course reasonable grounds to protect us against international terrorism. Section 215 stands for secrecy (and is somewhat unlawful), which is not needed by cops you see on TV shows when they get their subpoena. Passed after September 11, 2001 it is now under review. It expires June 1, 2015.
OPTIONS:
1. Let it expire, leaving us open to all the creeps in the world.
2. Alter the law, which is called the USA Freedom Act. And hope its civil liberties don’t hamper our safety.
3. Extend Section 215 and allow NSA’s interpretation of when they should collect data.
This is crucial in the world we now live in, but of course the ACLU is throwing a fit. I don’t mind an agency that looks out for us. However there has to be an understanding that sometimes the very rules we create, have to be altered to accommodate the latest issue troubling us and immediately.
HOW DO THEY SPY ON US?
Human Intelligence (HUMINT) which might freak you out when an FBI agent comes knocking on your door.
Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) by electronic signals and where satellites can pick up what we are doing
Communications Intelligence (COMINT) watch what you say on your mobile phone.
Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) satellite image similar, but better than Google’s maps.
Measurement and Signatures Intelligence (MASINT) finds any weapon capabilities that may exist. Thats good news.
Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) government satellites, commercial satellites, aircraft again Google comes to mind.
Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) which is stuff obtained from newspapers, radio, television, professional and academic records, did you graduate or not, do you have the degree you brag about, etc. This is the same stuff that the nosy girl you just met will search for (oh, you know who you are), in trying to find out if you’re the one for her.
James Bond (THATCOOLMANSMANHERO), if he’s on it all is ok.
This list is far from complete and who knows what newer stuff is lurking around the corner.
So, yes it’s kinda creepy, but I will take all of the above to know that I am allowing law enforcement to protect us and let us sleep at night.
This is what I see as the problem. There is an enormous amount of data that someone has to go over, and to store. Which leads to the bad guys wanting to tap into it. It’s a security issue in the hacking sense.
Premera Blue Cross (11M records stolen)
Anthem (80M)
Sony (47K)
Home Depot (109M)
JPMorgan (83M)
Ebay (145M)
Target (110M)
for blogging out loud)) this is the tip of the iceberg with more serious hacks like control of a nuclear power plant, our electrical grid, air traffic control, etc. This is really scary stuff.
Section 215 or whatever it turns out to be called will allow our guys to hunt down, arrest, kill any terrorists on our soil or thinking of coming here. If a loved one is in danger I want the good guys there, right on top of it, spying on all of them.
Does that make me an exibitionist? ))
