General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBill Clinton on NSA: Americans need to be on guard for abuses of power by US
Former president tells Scottish audience there needs to be accountability and transparency when surveillance is used
Severin Carrell, Scotland correspondent
guardian.co.uk, Friday 21 June 2013 22.16 BST
Former US president Bill Clinton said the use of surveillance and interceptions by agencies such as the NSA was an area that was 'blurry, grey and made people uncomfortable;. Photograph: Thos Robinson/Getty Images
Former US president Bill Clinton has said Americans need to be "on guard for abuses" of power by the US government through its secret interception of emails and phone calls in the name of national security.
In a question and answer session at a business dinner in Edinburgh, Clinton said the use of secret surveillance by the National Security Agency (NSA) to intercept communications by foreign terrorists was justified.
And the US system also required a warrant from intelligence courts, backed up by sufficient evidence, for any surveillance activities against people within the US.
But he said it was crucial there was accountability and transparency in the use of surveillance and interceptions by agencies such as the NSA an area which he said was "blurry, grey and made people uncomfortable".
...
More here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/21/clinton-nsa-scotland-speech
jsr
(7,712 posts)Catherina
(35,568 posts)I found it ironic that the man who introduced Echelon and Carnivore was trying to play both sides of the debate and carry water at the same time. I filed this one under *irony* since *water-carrying* is full lol.
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)But carnivore was placed under review...recent programs...not so much
Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)And the US system also required a warrant from intelligence courts, backed up by sufficient evidence, for any surveillance activities against people within the US.
Interesting.
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)And not a real democrat (latest talking point). He must also love Ron and Rand Paul, and of course all that.
Catherina
(35,568 posts)He must think people forgot that he rolled out Carnivore
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)Carnivore was subject to hearings, in fact until 911. Hell, I have the 2000 hearings on me. There was actual supervision. Now 911 came and all is good, secret and can't tell you a thing.
It was cancelled in 2006. So if he says we need supervision, he can actually stand on it. Hell, the Conyers of 2000, he was part of those hearings, is showing signs of life in the last three days.
As to echelon, he revealed it, but it was rolled in the 70s.
If this administration would even be in favor of 2000 level of oversight.
Catherina
(35,568 posts)I haven't been too fond of the way Clinton is running around the globe double-speaking lately. It's as if he's deliberately trying to undermine Obama without undermining the policies. He did the same thing, though even worse with Syria. I can't tell what his deal is or if it's simply "Hillary 2016".
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)I guess I have a longer view. I see all three as Imperial Presidents. IMHO Hillary should just retire and be done with it. This political dynasties strike me more as away for the Plutonomy to keep power.
And come 2016 I will vote my conscience, or leave it blank.
Whisp
(24,096 posts)and now he's mad because that could dip into his pocketses with the connections he and Hillary have to that endeavor. Or Obama isn't going to cover the cover up on the investigation on the STate Dept. for sexual assault and pedophilia.
Something big is up and Big Dog is barking loud and wild.
His insiders probably told him about Obama's decision on Syria as well, and to make it sound bad for Obama, Bill squeals it out a couple days early before the official announcement, calling him 'wuss' indirectly and making it look like Obama follows Clinton's orders. That's how it could look to some. Many actually.
Battle Royale but the old man will lose.
DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)He knows his wife wants to continue this in 2016, but that he has to make it look like he has a problem with this.
flamingdem
(39,335 posts)I haven't read Hillary's position but I assume it matches Bills.