What do you think of the govts program called Talon(re: domestic spying)?
829735
I knew they had been doing it all along. Seriously I dont mean that to sound crazy, but I assumed the government monitored everything already. I heard along time ago from someone when I was a kid that they have super computers that filter all telephone conversations and certain words and phrases are flagged for follow up. Honestly they have always gone too far and it will never stop as long as there are people who are like well if I have nothing to hide what does it matter. If you are not willing to stand up and fight for the freedoms our forfathers died for you don't deserve them. If you are willing to give up those rights to keep you safe from a shadowy elusive terrorist you dont deserve them.
111566
I think this is misunderstood. Please have this irrational fear of "Big Brother" Which is crazy. Why would the government want to listen to everyones conversations anyway? It is ridiculous that people get all worked up over this. I say people who have nothing to hide hide nothing. I just want to be safe like you. If you are more interested in this topic you should check out the book "Shadow War" It really explains a lot of the secretive things Bush has done to keep this country safe.
30688
The current controversy really boils down to how much evidence & authorization agencies like the CIA need in order to justify spying on someone.\n\nHistorically (in recent decades, anyway), it has never been 'official' policy to authorize spying without probably cause (evidence & good reason to believe someone is engaged in illegal activity), and approval from a judge - this is all part of the USA's system of checks & balances on our government.\n\nCurrent laws & policy statements circumvent these balances of power, and could allow the 'secret' agencies of our law enforcement system to spy on innocent citizen without justification.\n\nThe most disturbing developments have been recent claims from the White House which imply that the current administration considers itself above the law - saying that it does not need to seek approval from the legislative & judicial branches to carry out such activities (even though our Constitution, laws, and legal precendence say that it does).
1112521
It's a new program launched by the Adminstration to track your reading habits.  You should flip through all the magazines and make sure no microscopic bugs are planted and check the staples.  If that checks out notice the content matter it may lean toward a political bias of some sort it could be an attempt to plant unfriendly Adminstration propaganda.  If that's the case burn in  as swear loudly and praise the Adminstration so when the FBI comes to arrest you it's on record your gung-ho American.  Lastly and most likely it's a ploy by these companies to get you to purchase subscriptions to there magazines.  What will happen ?  They will start sending you bills at the end of the free trial and you'll have a hell of time finding out how to cancel them.  If that's not it don't worry if Saddam owned their parent company because we own it now.  God Bless America.
68427
I would like you to post references to the evidence you have that would warrant impeachment. I'm not a Bush supporter, but I'm also not a Bush basher. I will judge him on the fact, not speculations. Some people say he lied, others say he had incorrect information. Some people say his domestic spying program is illegal, others say it was all done within the law. I'm waiting for the facts to come out before I make up my mind.
144143
I believe that the gubment monitors every aspect of telecommunications. Bush is the crookedest mofo to have squatted in the whitehouse in years. He has allowed spying in the USA under the guise that he is trying to foil terrorism. His dad used to be the deputy director of the CIA. So he has and will to continue to do whatever he and his vp deputy dog want to do.
80703
Things that would harm the 'security' of the government. Sounds nice, but in reality, they hide anything that would interfere with the status quo. Since they don't want a wrong impression of what they have screwed up in the past, they hide pretty much everything they use to make decisions and the actions they take under the premise of 'the interest of national security'. This could be technology which would help enemies (so-called; expanding who constitutes an 'enemy' greatly expands what can be kept secret), anything that would ruin our economy or the main corporations which support it, anything that might reveal how our weapons work, policies about how things are REALLY kept secret, plans for keeping the government (and friends) safe after a major attack, strategic sources of materials which aren't publicly disclosed already, scientific data that might cause panic, scientific data that might cause distrust of the government, inventions which could be used as weapons (yes, they monitor patent applications), and all the usual things like who is a spy for who, how we monitor communications, how other countries monitor our communications (and sell us the info), how much money our intelligence agencies spend, and who in our country is suspected of being a threat to any of the above things.\nI think that pretty much covers it. If anything like paranormal activity, UFO's, or antigravity technology falls under the categories above, welllllll....\nAnd don't forget that they won't tell you if something they tell you is really false or misleading so that you don't investigate something else they are hiding. The interconnected web of confidentiality agreements, classified documents, and disinformation is not an accidentaly complicated system. It is meant to confuse people. Just like the aisles in a store which make you go around things just so you spend more time looking at and buying things you otherwise weren't interested in. It's all in the marketing.
512424
I don't think there's any doubt that our calls are being tracked.  It shocks me that people don't seem to care.  The logic seems to be, "well, I don't do anything wrong and I'm not a terrorist and I don't want to be blown up by terrorists and I don't have anything to say anyway, so let 'em listen."  \nWhat I don't think people realize is how easy it is to take selective records and conversations and make it appear that a person is guilty of any accusation thrown at them. None of the post-9/11 legislation includes anything like a well-sculpted definition of what behaviors, actions, or beliefs constitute a "terrorist." In the wrong hands, it could be used much as the "witch" accusation was used three hundred years ago.  And listen, kiddies, thanks to the Patriot Act, if the government decides to label you a terrorist, they can send you to an undisclosed location without legal counsel for an indefinite period of time.  THAT's why you should be concerned. (Remember Bush fans--he's only going to be in office for a couple more years, but these laws don't leave with him.  Even if you trust Bush--and lord knows why you would--are you sure that you can trust the next guy? (Or gal? Could be that Hillary Clinton will end up with these massive dictatorial powers next.)  By casting such a big net in its search for terrorists, the government is effectively assuming that we're all guilty--it's a lazy man's game and there's no proof that it will be any more effective than good intelligence work.
230196
I don't particularly like it.  I mean, who really wants someone spying on them?  On the other hand, people say that it's necessary for our safety.  I mean, do we want another September 11th?  \n\nI guess what it really comes down to is, I don't mind them checking up on people as long as they use it wisely and don't go too far.  But then, who decides how far is too far?
992126
Congressman Tancredo is going to hold hearings on this, so I assume we will all hear more about it.  I think it is disturbing it was kept so secret here.  Apparently in Canada it isn't a secret at all.  They post the working group identities on their governmental web page.
42822
People are basically paranoid.  And I say that from the amount of people who are complaining that they're being watched.  They are not being watched, unless they are doing something really interesting.  If they are sparking the interest of the Federal Government, they needed to be watched in the first place.  Somehow I am inclined to believe that the people who do the most complaining about anything are the ones who are the most spoiled by other peoples sacrafices.  And making a small sacrafice like this to avoid another bombing is fine with me.  And if they happen to catch a few pedophilic perverts along the way that's even better.
1128284
It is not a 'spy center', however they did give out information on peoples movements in the internet, meaning that yahoo itself was not made for the purpose of spying on people.\n\nYeah google, ect might be a good idea but it is silly to do\nbecause what can they possible accomplish by just\nknowing what you see/ect    \n\n(with the exception of shopping and stuff)
88628
They are among the archetects for our current debacle/fiasco in Iraq and well as the power grab being done by the executive branch - supposedly justified by this " forever " war on terra.  No, Torture, arrest with out due process, domestic spying .... No. I can NOT trust them.  They operate under WAY too much secrecy to be trusted.
296154
Personally, I assume anything the Pentagon has is being used on other nations and not our own.  \n\nI'm also pretty sure the NSA has the whole domestic snooping thing down so solidly it would truly frighten us all if we knew for sure.
3176
I am not a Republican, but I play one on TV...:-) Seriously, I believe that they feel trading some freedom for more security is a wise policy.  I understand the need to feel safe, and I am generally in favor of measures that increase our security.  However, that does not extend to the Patriot Act, which I see as a slippery slope away from what America is supposed to be.
66377
Good point.\n\nMost of our lives are too boring to warrant the attention of government intelligence agencies.\n\nYes, I value my privacy, but am in more fear of losing it to marketing agencies than spy networks.
1030162
I am totally against it.\n\nIt is spying on the American people. One less civil right. It is absplute cowardice and unpatriotic to give up ANY civil liberties for ANY reason.