We've got to all be vigilant. In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shootings, we must not only be vigilant against terror attacks but also against attacks on our civil liberties.
I don't hold the U.K. prime minister in very high regard. And look at what he's been saying after the attacks. He also wants the U. S. and U. S. based tech companies to cooperate with governments more! As if they're really uncooperative now, with all the NSA back doors, secret FISA Court orders, etc.
Our Pres. is proposing more data sharing with homeland security and law enforcement. Ah, gee, and the telcos having immunity already isn't enough? The EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) legislative analyst mentioned in that Guardian article was also quoted by The Washington Post. Read what he had to say on this page which also has a link to the WP article.
There will also be some 'countering extremism' conference here in the U. S. on Feb. 18. We should let our voices be heard that the way to do this is NOT to sacrifice civil liberties and privacy.
There will be those who will say, 'but we need to do this to keep us safe.' Really? If all the snooping didn't prevent the Charlie Hebdo attack, and the Boston Bombing before that, isn't it past time to question if all this mass surveillance is even effective? We need to question if we're just getting too big of a haystack of data for analysts to handle, whether the agencies are at all competent, or maybe even whether the reason for all the snooping isn't really to catch terrorists at all.
As usual, Trevor Timm has a very on-point article. It should be required reading.
We need to keep fighting for privacy rights. Let's remember how Edward Snowden so eloquently defended privacy and how much he has sacrificed. Let's stand with those who are seeking legal solutions. Let's continue to call for better technical solutions. And let's stand against fear-mongering and the idea we must sacrifice civil liberties and privacy for safety.
P. S. Speaking of Edward Snowden, here's an extra goodie, an article by his father.
This blog discusses issues of social justice (in an inclusive sense), civil liberties, human rights, other social issues, and offers thoughts on society and humanity in general from a progressive, feminist perspective.
Showing posts with label Snowden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Snowden. Show all posts
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Stunning Revelations
More stunning revelations of NSA and GCHQ spying are detailed at The Intercept in a new article.
From Snowden documents, the article covers the dragnet of NSA and GCHQ's "Treasure Map," specifically tech firms targeted in Germany. The focus is on one such firm, Stellar PCS The article includes a fine video of Stellar leaders reacting to the documents.
In case you think this is just a problem for the German firms, THINK AGAIN. From the article:
"Treasure Map is a vast NSA campaign to map the global internet. The program doesn’t just seek to chart data flows in large traffic channels, such as telecommunications cables. Rather, it seeks to identify and locate every single device that is connected to the internet somewhere in the world—every smartphone, tablet, and computer—”anywhere, all the time,” according to NSA documents."
Read the story here ----- and please disseminate this info to your contacts! This deserves wide attention.
From Snowden documents, the article covers the dragnet of NSA and GCHQ's "Treasure Map," specifically tech firms targeted in Germany. The focus is on one such firm, Stellar PCS The article includes a fine video of Stellar leaders reacting to the documents.
In case you think this is just a problem for the German firms, THINK AGAIN. From the article:
"Treasure Map is a vast NSA campaign to map the global internet. The program doesn’t just seek to chart data flows in large traffic channels, such as telecommunications cables. Rather, it seeks to identify and locate every single device that is connected to the internet somewhere in the world—every smartphone, tablet, and computer—”anywhere, all the time,” according to NSA documents."
Read the story here ----- and please disseminate this info to your contacts! This deserves wide attention.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Pause and Consider
Some thoughts to consider:
From Pres. Truman -
"You know that being an American is more than a matter of where your parents came from. It is a belief that all men are created free and equal and that everyone deserves an even break.”
And an echo from Edward Snowden -
"Some say I'm a man without a country, but that's not true. America has always been an ideal, and though I'm far away, I've never felt as connected to it as I do now..." (written on the occasion of the first anniversary of the first publication of his NSA leaks; it was first published by ACLU; the full statement can also be found here )
We must keep finding ways to truly honor the ideals of America and the magic words of the Declaration of Independence. We must continue to demand that our Constitution and Bill of Rights be honored. These quotes remind us that "American" goes so much deeper than one's place of birth, residence, or even citizenship. People all over the world long for these ideals, even though circumstances might make it hard for them to stand up for them. We must continually remind our officials that not adhering to our ideals is unacceptable and also counterproductive. Revelations of NSA spying, ill treatment of protesters, horrible drone strikes, and more show that we are not practicing what we have been preaching. We must insist that America realign its actions in more positive directions.
From Pres. Truman -
"You know that being an American is more than a matter of where your parents came from. It is a belief that all men are created free and equal and that everyone deserves an even break.”
And an echo from Edward Snowden -
"Some say I'm a man without a country, but that's not true. America has always been an ideal, and though I'm far away, I've never felt as connected to it as I do now..." (written on the occasion of the first anniversary of the first publication of his NSA leaks; it was first published by ACLU; the full statement can also be found here )
We must keep finding ways to truly honor the ideals of America and the magic words of the Declaration of Independence. We must continue to demand that our Constitution and Bill of Rights be honored. These quotes remind us that "American" goes so much deeper than one's place of birth, residence, or even citizenship. People all over the world long for these ideals, even though circumstances might make it hard for them to stand up for them. We must continually remind our officials that not adhering to our ideals is unacceptable and also counterproductive. Revelations of NSA spying, ill treatment of protesters, horrible drone strikes, and more show that we are not practicing what we have been preaching. We must insist that America realign its actions in more positive directions.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Significance of Today
Really, I wasn't planing to post today - until I saw online some reminders of the significance of this date.
June 21. On June 21, 1964, three civil rights workers were murdered in Philadelphia, Mississippi during Freedom Summer. The murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner marked one of the defining moments of the Civil Rights Movement. Today, 50 years later, the incident still teaches lessons of commitment to civil rights, full citizenship, and equal justice for all. Let us remember them and their legacy.
Today is also the 31st birthday of one Edward Snowden. Happy Birthday, Edward; may you have many blessings!
June 21. On June 21, 1964, three civil rights workers were murdered in Philadelphia, Mississippi during Freedom Summer. The murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner marked one of the defining moments of the Civil Rights Movement. Today, 50 years later, the incident still teaches lessons of commitment to civil rights, full citizenship, and equal justice for all. Let us remember them and their legacy.
Today is also the 31st birthday of one Edward Snowden. Happy Birthday, Edward; may you have many blessings!
Friday, June 6, 2014
It's Been Over a Year Now...
It certainly hasn't gone unnoticed that it's been one year (yesterday) since the first disclosure from Edward Snowden. In his recent interview with Brian Williams and in his videos and statements, he comes across as thoughtful, eloquent, and very poised. I applaud his courage in upending his life to make us aware of what was being done in our name to us! Sorry that I didn't commemorate this on the exact date, but then again I'm not always the most punctual person on the planet :-) So here goes:
A Year's Gentle Flurries
Snow falling on secrets
Flake by crystalline flake
Revealing the spider's web
.......dedicated to Edward Snowden
A Year's Gentle Flurries
Snow falling on secrets
Flake by crystalline flake
Revealing the spider's web
.......dedicated to Edward Snowden
Saturday, October 5, 2013
A Must Read from Edward Snowden
I fairly regularly follow The Guardian's coverage of the NSA spying story and Edward Snowden.
They have a "blog" going now covering NSA/Snowden related developments. If you visit the link and scroll down to the section marked 11:07 AM BST and marked with the title: "Snowden: Economies Are Built On Creativity, Curiosity, and Privacy." you will be able to read his statement read at the meeting of the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. There is also a video of his statement being read by a Ms. Radack.
The link: Guardian NSA Blog
There's quite a bit in their NSA files section and Greenwald's commentary series. I encourage you to browse them and stay informed!
They have a "blog" going now covering NSA/Snowden related developments. If you visit the link and scroll down to the section marked 11:07 AM BST and marked with the title: "Snowden: Economies Are Built On Creativity, Curiosity, and Privacy." you will be able to read his statement read at the meeting of the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. There is also a video of his statement being read by a Ms. Radack.
The link: Guardian NSA Blog
There's quite a bit in their NSA files section and Greenwald's commentary series. I encourage you to browse them and stay informed!
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Happy Belated Birthday to Edward Snowden
Hello there!
Just saw that yesterday was the 30th birthday of whistleblower Edward Snowden. Hope that you had a good one under the circumstances, Edward, and that you are and continue to remain, safe!
Saw the birthday blurb in the latest Glenn Greenwald piece at The Guardian site
This is a good read as to the important issues involved. The comments are usually pretty good, too. Pay attention to those who mention that stifling of dissent is probably at least one cause behind all this suspicionless snooping and warrantless wiretapping.
You can also read the Q and A Snowden did at the Guardian's site. I read it a few days ago and was pretty stunned. Here's why:
Back in February (before any of us had heard of Snowden), I wrote a poem, the first I'd composed in a while. When I read his response to the second part of the first question - what did he say----- "Truth is coming..." THAT WAS THE TITLE OF MY POEM !!! So here's the poem - I hope somehow Snowden gets to read it:
Truth is on the horizon
Truth is coming
A neat (I think) aside: The fortress/strength stanza was inspired by Rep. John Lewis. Shortly after I finished the first version of the poem, I was reviewing his BookTV appearance and at one point he said: "Nothing is stronger than the Truth!" Well, I had to add a stanza after that!
BTW, I see I have been getting some readers - or page views anyway. Hope some of you leave some comments sometime; it would be nice to actually hear from folks - it would make it less like speaking to an empty hall!
Just saw that yesterday was the 30th birthday of whistleblower Edward Snowden. Hope that you had a good one under the circumstances, Edward, and that you are and continue to remain, safe!
Saw the birthday blurb in the latest Glenn Greenwald piece at The Guardian site
This is a good read as to the important issues involved. The comments are usually pretty good, too. Pay attention to those who mention that stifling of dissent is probably at least one cause behind all this suspicionless snooping and warrantless wiretapping.
You can also read the Q and A Snowden did at the Guardian's site. I read it a few days ago and was pretty stunned. Here's why:
Back in February (before any of us had heard of Snowden), I wrote a poem, the first I'd composed in a while. When I read his response to the second part of the first question - what did he say----- "Truth is coming..." THAT WAS THE TITLE OF MY POEM !!! So here's the poem - I hope somehow Snowden gets to read it:
Truth is Coming (Truth Chant)
Truth is on the horizon
Truth is coming
Truth must be our guide
Its light chasing the shadows from our path
Truth must be our guide
Its light chasing the shadows from our path
Truth is coming
Truth must be our fortress
Its strength forming our pillar of support
Truth must be our fortress
Its strength forming our pillar of support
Truth is coming
Truth always must be heard
Its voice piercing the static of oft-competing lies
Truth always must be heard
Its voice piercing the static of oft-competing lies
Truth is coming
Truth must not be denied
Its pure simplicity finding a way to be openly revealed
Truth is on the horizonTruth must not be denied
Its pure simplicity finding a way to be openly revealed
Truth is coming
A neat (I think) aside: The fortress/strength stanza was inspired by Rep. John Lewis. Shortly after I finished the first version of the poem, I was reviewing his BookTV appearance and at one point he said: "Nothing is stronger than the Truth!" Well, I had to add a stanza after that!
BTW, I see I have been getting some readers - or page views anyway. Hope some of you leave some comments sometime; it would be nice to actually hear from folks - it would make it less like speaking to an empty hall!
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