Did you know.....

[HairOfTheDog]

I wonder where you got the idea for a red, white and blue flag from?

Probably an ode to the French without whoms help you would never have won independence.

And centuries later you were giving the French the finger and renaming your French fries freedom fries you ungrateful bitches.

Well, those Frenchies deserve to be shunned, damn it! They're bad news.

Why, just today, I read that the French Intelligence Agency spies on the private communication of its own citizens. Some unbelievable bullshit, I tell ya. Only in France...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/04...46226.html

[Cynical Ninja]

I'm still shocked that people are actually shocked to find out their own government spies on them. When I was about 12 I was fairly confident the government probably kept tabs on its own citizenry.

But surely not in the land of the free?! You stoopid naïve yankee motherfuckers.

[Duchess]

I'm still shocked that people are actually shocked to find out their own government spies on them.

That doesn't shock me at all, what does is the people that are so willing to roll over and justify it.

[Cynical Ninja]

Its the old freedom/safety trade off.

Am I happy that average Joe Sixpack is being spied on? No I'm not.

Am I happy that Mohammed Jihadist is being spied on? Fucking damn right I am.

[Duchess]

When it's my choice I don't mind it at all. I understand for the sake of safety I have to give up a little something. When I go up to the stadium next month I won't be allowed to bring my handbag in, if there are things I need to carry I must use a clear plastic bag, I want to be there so I'm willing to do that. My issue is with the sneaky way they are going about some of this bs under the guise of protecting Americans.

[Cynical Ninja]

What makes you think “they” are doing it “under the guise” of protecting Americans?

What do you think ”their” alleged true motivations are?

Just who are “they” anyway? That might help clarify things a little bit for the unenlightened.

[Duchess]

"They" are the people spying on Americans & spying is what it is. Anytime you watch & log activities in a secretive manner that is spying.

I don't know what their motivations are but I'll never be convinced that millions of Americans need to be watched because there is thought they may have ties to terrorists.

[Cynical Ninja]

So how many Americans do you think need to be watched? What to you would be an acceptable number? 1000? 10000? 100000?

How do you decide who you watch and who you don't?

[Duchess]

As many as they need to. Watch the ones who are engaging in suspicious activity. Watch the ones who make those red flags wave.

I know what you're doing, you booger, I've hung out with you for over 5 yrs.

[Donovan]

I'm still shocked that people are actually shocked to find out their own government spies on them.

That doesn't shock me at all, what does is the people that are so willing to roll over and justify it.

This. Especially here.

[Cynical Ninja]

As many as they need to. Watch the ones who are engaging in suspicious activity. Watch the ones who make those red flags wave.

I know what you're doing, you booger, I've hung out with you for over 5 yrs.

How will you know whether or not someone is engaging in suspicious activity without spying on them? Set up a citizens snitch hotline maybe?

[Maggot]

[Duchess]

I squinted. Heh

[Cynical Ninja]

I squinted. Heh

Oi!

Answer the question, how do you know if someone is engaging in suspicious activity without spying on them?

Consult Americas leading psychics maybe?

[Maggot]

Get the ole trusty megaphone out and say "Stop..........this is your Mother"

[Duchess]

Answer the question, how do you know if someone is engaging in suspicious activity without spying on them?

There should be what the government calls "red flags", there should be a pattern, there should be something to follow not simply choosing random Americans to spy on. Monitoring millions of people who have done nothing to warrant it is wrong, it's infringing.

[username]

There should be what the government calls "red flags", there should be a pattern, there should be something to follow not simply choosing random Americans to spy on. Monitoring millions of people who have done nothing to warrant it is wrong, it's infringing.

Well, I think that's what the government says it's doing. Yes, it's "spying" on millions of Americans (and foreigners) but only if those red flags or patterns present themselves do they pursue it further (with the FISA court).

[Duchess]

Well, I think that's what the government says it's doing. Yes, it's "spying" on millions of Americans (and foreigners) but only if those red flags or patterns present themselves do they pursue it further (with the FISA court).

What about your very own neighborhood police cars that are now equipped with license plate readers? You're logged into a database. There is a file, in a sense, on you & your movements.

[Cynical Ninja]

What about your very own neighborhood police cars that are now equipped with license plate readers? You're logged into a database. There is a file, in a sense, on you & your movements.[/i][/size]

Why does that bother you?

[Cynical Ninja]

Well, I think that's what the government says it's doing. Yes, it's "spying" on millions of Americans (and foreigners) but only if those red flags or patterns present themselves do they pursue it further (with the FISA court).

Yes that's also my understanding of what is currently happening, I'm pretty sure a similar system is being used by GCHQ in the UK.

You aren't zeroed in on or closely scrutinised unless you display certain patterns of “red flag” like behaviours

If you order a copy of the Anarchists cookbook and frequent Jihadist websites and have recently purchased large amounts of fertiliser chances are you are being scrutinised and with good reason.

If you are an internet smart arse with an 80s soap opera bitch haircut spouting drivel on a small mock forum chances are you are not being scrutinised and never will be and with good reason.