Countdown: NSA Whistleblower- Bush Administration Spying on Journalists- Recording

[debbierlus]

Run time: 11:00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osFprWnCjPA   Posted on YouTube: January 22, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: January 22, 2009 By DU Member: debbierlus Views on DU: 5820

 

The leaks begin...

Probably the biggest story lost in the excitement of the inauguration excitment....

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

1. K&R.

[L. Coyote]

14. "ALL COMMUNICATIONS" is what my informant said too!

Deja DU: Are ALL COMMUNICATIONS routed overseas to circumvent US law and the Constitution?
Nov-09-07 - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2245762

[peacetalksforall]

2. I am curious what the freepers will be saying about this video.

Somehow I think they will declare this man a terrorist.

[mmonk]

3. Thanks for posting it.

:thumbsup:

[Jack Rabbit]

4. The plot is thickening

!!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

23. Instead of "thickening" say "SICKENING".

:cry:

[Jack Rabbit]

46. Sickening -- so is spinach

Now, eat your spinach.

[aquart]

5. They monitored the journalists. What else did they do to them?

[L. Coyote]

62. The ones I know say "a lot more"

[pacalo]

6. Keith was wrong: we've known all along that the spying was probably this bad. No surprise.

The guy said that he would be willing to share more information with Obama's administration.

Betcha it has to do with congresspeople.

[Postman]

7. Gotta wonder if they spied on Dems before the Iraq War Resolution and..

if they were spying illegally before the Iraq War Resolution, how did they miss 911???

[Dennis Donovan]

10. They were caught bugging th UN before the war...

...I'm SURE they spied on Dems!

[PassingFair]

49. I almost forgot about that.

What part of THIS did they NOT violate?

“ The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. ”

They should be tried for treason.

[CoffeeCat]

8. I'm trying to get my arms around this...

There are so many questions surrounding this.

So...ok, they were spying on Americans. As Tice said they were listening in on our phone conversations, looking
at emails, faxes, etc--just to look. So, what were they ultimately doing?

Were they trying to find illegal activities...or were they trying to identify people who were against the Bush
Administration? Who knows?

Isn't that a big waste of time?? If you're going to spy on everyone--your going to waste a lot of time listening
to a lot of junk--about grocery lists, Aunt Penny's bursitis and my-boss-is-an-asshole gossip among friends. How
in the world could such an operation be productive, if they're randomly selecting Americans on which to spy?

Bizarre!

I also find it interesting that Tice was kept in the dark. He was the guy collecting the intelligence, but the
powers-that-be kept him in the dark about what he was collecting and why.

Who are these people--calling these shots?

I look forward to hearing more answers, because this sounds completely nutty.

[Kaleko]

11. In one word: Blackmail.

[MinM]

17. The CIA essentially blackmailed itself into existence...

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/MinM/25

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/MinM/80

[Kaleko]

18. Good point.

That one sentence just takes the lid off a big ball of old, rotten cheese.

[CoffeeCat]

20. You think they're blackmailing average citizens?

From what Tice said, they were spying on average-Joe in Kansas.

Do you think they were blackmailing average citizens?

I can understand blackmailing reporters and other politicians--in order to pressure them
into doing what you want...but average citizens?

I'm not understanding how that would work.

[Kaleko]

21. They've collected data on everybody.

That means, every single person CAN be blackmailed as soon as they stick out their necks too far in any corner of the pond and made to shut up.

The CIA/NSA preemptively own every single one of us, you see?

[CoffeeCat]

39. They don't own me, that's for sure!

It's kind of hard to blackmail someone for talking about the latest sale at Cub Foods.

[Kaleko]

47. You may be the most saintly person in the world

with nothing to hide. But perhaps you have a son or husband who visited certain porn sites while at work? Or some tax returns were not quite up to snuff? Now their careers could potentially be destroyed if you, let's say, were to testify truthfully or become a juror in a certain trial. Would you want the destruction of a loved-one's career on your conscience?

Everyone can be blackmailed simply by threatening to expose someone else's guilt with whom they had some kind of prior association.

Today I'm hopeful though, that this will change with the Obama administration.

[Best_man23]

56. But I guarantee they've collected your post

As well as the past posts of EVERY person who has EVER logged onto DU. :scared:

[chill_wind]

29. Many many watch lists. The idea is to gather opportunities to arrest/disrupt

NSA Spying

The U.S. Government, with assistance from major telecommunications carriers including AT&T, has been engaging in a massive program of illegal dragnet surveillance of domestic communications and communications records of millions of ordinary Americans since at least 2001.

more:

http://www.eff.org/issues/nsa-spying



ACLU Releases First Concrete Evidence of FBI Spying Based Solely on Groups' Anti-War Views

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2006


PITTSBURGH - The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Pennsylvania today released new evidence that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting investigations into a political organizations based solely on its anti-war views.

Two documents released today reveal that the FBI investigated gatherings of the Thomas Merton Center for Peace & Justice just because the organization opposed the war in Iraq. Although previously disclosed documents show that the FBI is retaining files on anti-war groups, these documents are the first to show conclusively that the rationale for FBI targeting is the group's opposition to the war.

more:

http://www.aclupa.org/pressroom/firstconcreteevidenceoffbi.htm

Much more more about other kinds of surveillance programs over these years at these websites.

[Kaleko]

31. DU can be a treasure trove thanks to people like you.

:hi: Death to the Borg Machine!!! Heh heh heh.

[chill_wind]

32. :- ) We all just keep each other alert --

since the MSM and the high school history books won't/don't do it.

(My bookmarks are so stuffed with the incredible research of DUers' labors-
those DUers could easily publish a small town library's worth of expose'. Their encyclopedic minds and dedication are amazing. )

Death to the Borg Machine! Free the Press!!

:hi:

[jeff30997]

35. "your going to waste a lot of time listening to a lot of junk"

Well actually analysts listen to maybe 0.0005% of the data collected in a day.They record everything

a targeted group/organization or individual have exchanged but it's the computers who "decide"

what data is worth being analyzed be an actual human being.It search for keywords or use voice

recognition to put that data in the pile to be read or listened to.For example if you say to

someone on the phone: "assassination, conspiracy, primers, detonators, initiators, main charge,

nuclear charges" you're sure to be on the list.(Actually by typing those words my post is now on

that list).

Those are actual ECHELON keywords that copied here:

http://planetquo.net/References/ECHELONKeywords.html

For a dragnet surveillance operation they record everything and store it for lather use but

for data retrieving on a particular individual they use the computers in pretty much the same way.

[caraher]

41. That keyword list is gonna pull in a lot of noise

Some of my favorite entries:

Sex, W, Privacy, Tools, Bubba, Bugs Bunny, Dictionary, Daisy, Tie-fighter, quarter, rain, cards, beef, garbage, veggie, freedom, joe

So what would Agent Mike make of the following?

"Hi Bubba. I just grabbed a cup of joe and I'm watchin' Bugs Bunny. Plans? Daisy and I finally have a little freedom and privacy with the kids off at the grandparents... Sex at last! Anyway, we thought we'd drop by with the tools I borrowed and maybe bring some burgers to grill - beef, not that veggie garbage - that is, if it doesn't rain. If it does, we could just play cards or maybe Scrabble. Did you ever find the missing W? Good. I guess we'll grab our dictionary and see you at about a quarter past four. See ya!"

[jeff30997]

67. Lol!

That's so true ! And your "conversation" is hilarious.:rofl:

[PassingFair]

44. Data-mining.

Patterns for the masses...
direct listening and
potential blackmail for the politically
vulnerable.

I have NO doubts.

[Jackpine Radical]

59. It's not like somebody has to sit & listen to it all.

I believe they have quite sophisticated data mining information, and can scan for certain words, phrases, etc. I mean, just look what you can do with cheap, off-the-shelf Dragon Naturally Speaking in terms of converting words to text, for example.

[canichelouis]

68. 24-ish

[chill_wind]

9. I just watched this for a second time--

Actually I was just listening to the audio portion.

One thing I noticed was the catch in his voice at times.
I am frankly frightened for this man.


"I've had the FBI all over me like flies on s--t."

[L. Coyote]

15. and added it to my YouTube Favs, and Facebook. Rec'ed on YouTube too.

This will go VIRAL!

[The Wielding Truth]

40. I was thinking that Keith should have kept him in the studio then

taken him home with him.He should hire bodyguards to protect him before and after he testifies.

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

42. notice his jaw

muscle clench when he says "depending on what might be of interest". 4:10

think about it.

[dccrossman]

12. K&R

:kick:

[Postman]

13. They were "collecting" information.....

Listen to his words.

"Collecting" vs. actually "Listening" or "Reading"

If you were a criminal enterprise involved in illegal wars and fearful of prosecution, who would you spy on?

1. Politicians.
2. Employees.
3. Journalists.

[L. Coyote]

16. so they would know if anyone had evidence about how the JUNTA was accomplished!

[chill_wind]

26. Yes, so they would know who might need to be pre-emptively "dealt with".

Agree.

[trthnd4jstc]

19. That was nice. Thanks for the post. n/t

[Piewhacket]

22. Criminal enterprise.

[freeradicalm]

24. K&R

A True Patriot! Keep the information coming to unravel this ball of shit. Keep the pressure on to indict, convict and incarcerate and ultimately execute these rat bastards for the treason they have committed!

[Seldona]

25. The snowball that hopefully starts an avalance.

Best thing he can be doing right now is as many shows as possible, and lying low.

[Titonwan]

27. I KNEW IT!

Now I know why Cheney had the gonads to sneer and Junior had that shitty assed smirk on his face all the time. These criminals had blackmail files on EVERYONE!
You wonder why the news anchors were falling all over their selves fawning over these jerks? NOW you know! You ever wonder why Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid were such pussies? NOW you know! Boy, this just keeps getting better and better! We're going to see some major shit break down pretty quick. Watch.

[chill_wind]

28. In Iraq, they just shot at them and blew up their hotels.

And denied it or made excuses. That pretty much took care of truthful reporting by any independents. So much simpler, there.

[Divine Discontent]

30. it's sick to think about, but you and I know it's true, they've had to have ordered the

deaths of any people that they felt were going to out their plans who had evidence (like the IT guru in his plane).

[lala_rawraw]

33. yep...

and more is coming... i wonder if they will release the names these creeps spied on or intimidated in any way?

[bulloney]

34. But Keith...Hannity had and EXCLUSIVE interview with RUSH LIMBAUGH!

Why aren't you digging up REAL news?:sarcasm:

[1776Forever]

36. This is so Nixonesk - When you think about it BUSHnco controlled what "we" heard!

This is really not that surprising, but it is very disturbing. Wonder if anyone got threats if they published something? How far did this go? I wonder if DU was a part of it? I wonder if they took names and controlled more then we know about? Will we ever know the full truth?

[jeff30997]

38. Dan Rather lost his job because he had the guts to keep his integrity.

The corporations have the same interests as Big brother so they keep "their" journalists with a

tight leash around their necks.

[jeff30997]

37. I remember watching a documentary about 15 years ago on PBS...

And they were talking about the consequences of the end of the cold war on the Intelligence

community.One retired CIA analyst basically said "Now that the cold war is over they will have

to justify their budget but what will they do?Who will they spy on if the KGB is not a menace

anymore? Well they will turn on us".

That man sure knew what he was talking about.


(Of course they're still spying on the Russians,the Chinese and pretty much everybody else).

[HillWilliam]

43. I wonder how many other former ASA are thinking

we knew what buddyfuckers were way-back-when.

This is so much more massive.

But we knew it was happening and we knew this shit was coming. Where else would the efforts of 30 years ago have led. As a poster said up-thread, when they couldn't spy outside any more, they will turn on us. After the Cold War, that's exactly what happened. Poppy grabbed the buddyfucker machine a long, long time ago for a political tool and grew it into the monster we have today.

Ray Charles could have seen this coming 30 years ago. A lot of us did and couldn't say anything. We wouldn't have been believed if we did.

There is good reason Tice had fear in his voice last night. G'dde be with him.

This story has been festering to break for years now. I hope, oh, G'd I hope the truth finally comes all the way out. If it does, there will be some freakyass revelations, but I believe our constitution, our resolve, and our desire for the return of the rule of law are strong enough that we will weather the 10.0 earthquakes that'll hit DC and survive as a nation.

Vigilant Always.

[AFSCME girl]

45. Thanks so much for posting this..

I just added it to my Facebook page! :hi:

[Kajsa]

48. One day after BushCo is gone,

we begin hearing the truth, from an insider,
about the NSA's surveillance and warrantless
wiretapping of us.

I watched this interview last night.

Now that it is safe to do so, I expect to hear
more come forward and expose this.

[Kaleko]

50. How about Sibel Edmonds and others like her seizing the opportunity

to come forward in droves?

Looks like an avalanche of truth is poised to snowball down the slopes.

[Kajsa]

51. Yes, indeed!

And I am very glad that it is coming.

:-)

[underpants]

52. They are collecting everything

I think we already knew that but it is now pretty much official

This would explain a lot of how they got some things through the legislature and in the press. The threat of knowing something is much more effective than actually knowing it-that's politics.

[fascisthunter]

53. fascism

[Jefferson23]

54. Fucking criminals, the more exposure the better.

[pansypoo53219]

55. did they FIND anything

in the haystacks? and you know they did kerry and all his people.

[syrius]

57. You have to wonder if...

By chance..."They"(the old regime) have targeted this site. "They" have to be worried about the new sheriff in town. Actually, It would be beautiful to see the new sheriff crack open the shell and start frying some eggs. I hope Obama retains the Bush powers for us all and allow the people to start watching "them". Just a thought...the French did storm the Bastille, didn't they?

[ooglymoogly]

58. All of the above spying electronically on Americans

go's through several companies centered in I$ra@l whose very existence is payed for by we the taxpayer; One of which is Amdo@; Making Ari@l Sh@rons comment "We the I$ra@li's control the United States", less fantastic and just a tetch more believable.

[SlingBlade]

60. Bush on the Constitution: ‘It’s just a goddamned piece of paper’ ...

Nuff Said !

[robish518]

61. what is the matrix

He made a point to talk about how they didn't have the computing power to monitor every form of communication for every citizen. I think they merely have access to do it from certain locations like in SF.

In my law class last summer we learned about this act that the government passed to put in place devices that can monitor communication. It's not something that's on auto pilot and agencies still need to get a warrant to wire tap, but this law requires that institutions must put those devices in place. (I can't remember what it is called, I'd have to look in my notes).

What else was interesting was how DUers are suspecting reasons why they would "blackmail" the average Joe the six packin plumber-sam in Kansas. I would like to suggest they are not blackmailing anybody (err... maybe politicians, journalists, anybody with an outlet to the public and a progressive voice). Data collection, computer algorithms, and processing power can only mean one thing. You are stuck in the Matrix.

[bertman]

63. This is great news of course, but it's old news. As far as leakers coming out of the

woodwork and a snowball effect that turns into an avalanche, it's ALL under the control of the media. If the corporate media decide it's too hot to handle they will kill it.

We've been hearing about this stuff on progressive radio, Countdown and sites like DU for years but it has never gained traction because the corporate-media-fed masses are not getting the exposure to it. One two-minute piece on CBS or NBC or CNN is not going to generate the outrage. It will take massive exposure on all forms of media to make this a big-ticket item.

Since all of these bastards are thick as thieves: telecoms, networks, NSA, FBI, CIA, it's gonna be a tough nut to crack. Rest assured that people will die over whether this sees the light of day in an effective way.

Just my $.02 worth.

[girl_interrupted]

64. K&R

[KoKo]

65. Just watched this it's INCREDIBLE...Please do the SAME!

CHECK IT OU! Major Media along with the Rest of Us being scoured for where we searched and what we did on the "Internets" since Iraq Invasion. Which "Phone Company" do you TRUST...is the question.

:-(

[Liberty Belle]

66. Obama should order those records destroyed.

Speaking as a journalist who investigated Cheney and corrupt GOP leaders, I don't want my personal cell phone calls, IMs, etc. out there for anyone to misuse and potentially compromise protected sources/whistleblowers.