Homeland Stupidity

Ron Paul: Why Won’t They Tell Us the Truth About NSA Spying?

"The Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday heard dramatic testimony from NSA deputy director John C. Inglis. According to the Guardian, the NSA has previously claimed that 54 terrorist plots had been disrupted ‘over the lifetime’ of the bulk phone records collection and the separate program collecting the internet habits and communications of people believed to be non-Americans. On Wednesday, Inglis said that at most one plot might have been disrupted by the bulk phone records collection alone. We do not have to accept being lied to – or spied on -- by our government." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRon Paul: Why Won’t They Tell Us the Truth About NSA Spying?

NSA defenders: embassy closures followed ‘pre-9/11 levels’ of ‘chatter’

"Saxby Chambliss, who was briefed by the vice president, Joe Biden, last week, said he believed the intelligence had been gathered by the NSA using foreign surveillance powers granted under section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. 'This is a good indication of why they [the surveillance powers] are so important,' he said. His defence of the NSA was echoed by another Republican, Lindsey Graham. Asked by CNN host Candy Crowley whether Americans were right to be frightened, senator Graham said: 'It is scary … the NSA programme is proving its worth yet again.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNSA defenders: embassy closures followed ‘pre-9/11 levels’ of ‘chatter’

Glenn Greenwald: Members of Congress denied access to basic information about NSA

"It is not merely that members of Congress are unaware of the very existence of these programs, let alone their capabilities. Beyond that, members who seek out basic information - including about NSA programs they are required to vote on and FISA court (FISC) rulings on the legality of those programs - find that they are unable to obtain it. Two House members, GOP Rep. Morgan Griffith of Virginia and Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida, have provided the Guardian with numerous letters and emails documenting their persistent, and unsuccessful, efforts to learn about NSA programs and relevant FISA court rulings." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGlenn Greenwald: Members of Congress denied access to basic information about NSA

8 Cities Where 911 Systems Recently Failed

"A watchdog agency has launched an official investigation into the system, which cost $88 million and has only been operational since May. In July, the New York Post reported that the system had crashed at least nine times in a single week. It's also drawn blame for leaving a crash victim unaided on a highway for almost two hours, and marooning a paramedic with a dead body. Made by a company called Intergraph Government Solutions—whose board is well stocked with former security officials from the George W. Bush administration—the software will soon be coming to Boston, which plans to spend $15 million on its contract." Continue reading →

Continue Reading8 Cities Where 911 Systems Recently Failed

U.S. officials say global terror threat is ‘very specific’

"U.S. officials are warning that a global terror threat from al Qaeda is ‘very specific’ and could last through August, as at least 22 embassies and consulates across the world prepared to shut down Sunday in fear of a possible attack. The U.S. issued a global travel alert for American travelers on Friday after intercepting electronic communication among top al Qaeda operatives in Yemen regarding an attack in its final planning stages. If traveling outside the U.S., King said: ‘I would let the American embassy know where you are. Basically check in and where you are and how long you plan to stay there and what your itinerary is.’" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. officials say global terror threat is ‘very specific’

Obama Meets Security Advisors Over “Most Specific, Credible Terrorist Threat In Years”; US Forces On Alert

"According to CBS, the 'terrorist threat prompting the U.S. government to close nearly two dozen embassies and consulates Sunday is the most specific, credible threat information in years' (even more credible than the Boston marathon bombers?) Specific but lacking the actual date, or timing, of an alleged 'terrorist attack.' Information which, however, can not be shared with the general public for obvious reasons - just trust the government and ignore that spy drone peeking into your window." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama Meets Security Advisors Over “Most Specific, Credible Terrorist Threat In Years”; US Forces On Alert

Miss Utah contestant charged with making and throwing homemade bombs

"18-year-old Kendra Gill and three friends, John Reagh, Shanna Smith and Bryce Stone, told authorities in Riverton, Utah, that they bought household chemicals, aluminum foil and plastic bottles to make the devices, which they then threw out of Smith’s car while riding through the area late Friday night or early Saturday morning. No injuries were reported, but while officials told KUTV they were still looking for a motive for the group’s actions, the station reported that, according to Stone, the joyride involved them playing a prank on friends, including Stone’s ex-girlfriend. The four suspects were charged with 10 counts each of setting off incendiary devices." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMiss Utah contestant charged with making and throwing homemade bombs

CNN Says Bradley Manning ‘Betrayed’ America

"From simply complaining about our tap water to being political activists, we now have on the record admission from both state and federal officials that the DHS’ classification of a ‘terrorist’ is broad enough to apply to 100% of the population. In fact, all we have to do to see the true extent of this is to go back to the bombshell report out of a recent German newspaper. The article reveals that the United States military is actually targeting those who oppose genetically modified organisms in the food supply. So, with these numbers, that means at least 93-96% of the US population can now be classified as terrorists under this factor alone." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCNN Says Bradley Manning ‘Betrayed’ America

7 Things I Am More Concerned About Than a Terrorist Attack

"What I am doing as a result of the new US government terrorist attack alert? Absolutely nothing. The chance of a terrorist striking me is less than .000,000,0001%. However, there are things I am real concerned about. These are all very real dangers created by the state. When the state warns us of a potential terrorist attack, keep in mind what the state is doing to us on a daily basis--things that have a very real impact on our daily lives. The state is much more threatening to us than the less than .000,000,0001% chance that we will be directly impacted by a terrorist attack." Continue reading →

Continue Reading7 Things I Am More Concerned About Than a Terrorist Attack

Oakland’s creepy new surveillance program

"The so-called Domain Awareness Center (DAC) would consolidate a vast network of surveillance data. The project was initially supposed to be about port security. But in a classic illustration of mission creep, the project as proposed would have pulled in over 1,000 cameras and sensors pointed at Oakland residents, including 700 cameras in Oakland schools. The DAC would enable the city to track individuals when they visit the abortion clinic, the Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, or the union hall, or engage in other private activities. Disappointingly, and in the face of enormous opposition, the City Council voted on Tuesday to approve the DAC." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOakland’s creepy new surveillance program