Wednesday, June 12, 2013
The Snowden files
In what will be a continuing story, former NSA contractor Edward Snowden has been revealing the way that agency operates. Among the revelations so far:
-- That the phone logs relating to millions of Americans have been collected.
-- The NSA sweeps up Facebook and Google information.
-- An analyst at the NSA has the ability to examine this data relating to any American without higher authorization.
I can't say any of this surprises me, but I am both cynical and know a little about the NSA. Here is the fact that might bother me just as much as the rest: That contractors are doing this work, rather than direct NSA employees. I suspect the reason for this is the same as for the burgeoning business in other areas of hiring people out to the government for essential operations: It allows the government to employ people who cost more that government scale will allow, such as computer experts. It also, of course, allows for profits for the companies that sub-let the workers to the government.
It's troubling, though, for two reasons. First, the process inflates the cost of government operations. Second, it puts people who are not directly responsible to the government in positions of great importance, such as providing security to our diplomats and analyzing the kind of information Snowden had access to as a part of his work.
Am I right or wrong?
-- That the phone logs relating to millions of Americans have been collected.
-- The NSA sweeps up Facebook and Google information.
-- An analyst at the NSA has the ability to examine this data relating to any American without higher authorization.
I can't say any of this surprises me, but I am both cynical and know a little about the NSA. Here is the fact that might bother me just as much as the rest: That contractors are doing this work, rather than direct NSA employees. I suspect the reason for this is the same as for the burgeoning business in other areas of hiring people out to the government for essential operations: It allows the government to employ people who cost more that government scale will allow, such as computer experts. It also, of course, allows for profits for the companies that sub-let the workers to the government.
It's troubling, though, for two reasons. First, the process inflates the cost of government operations. Second, it puts people who are not directly responsible to the government in positions of great importance, such as providing security to our diplomats and analyzing the kind of information Snowden had access to as a part of his work.
Am I right or wrong?
Comments:
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Everyday I log onto my computer and hundreds, probably thousands, of advertisers track my keystrokes and the pages I visit. I have more trouble with this than what the NSA is doing.
I agree with Christine, which is one reason why I have been and remain ambivalent on the electronic surveillance issue.
HOWEVER, I agree with your very important and separate point. This system seems, if nothing else (and there is actually a lot of other questions), economically inefficient.
Back during the frantic days of the Iraq War, I often wondered why we were paying ind. contractors who were ex-military to carry guns in Iraq--when we had currently military in Iraq carrying guns already contracted for half or one-fourth the cost.
Admittedly, I don't know enough about this accelerating trend--but what I do know raises a lot of red flags, and I am certainly interested in finding out a lot more.
HOWEVER, I agree with your very important and separate point. This system seems, if nothing else (and there is actually a lot of other questions), economically inefficient.
Back during the frantic days of the Iraq War, I often wondered why we were paying ind. contractors who were ex-military to carry guns in Iraq--when we had currently military in Iraq carrying guns already contracted for half or one-fourth the cost.
Admittedly, I don't know enough about this accelerating trend--but what I do know raises a lot of red flags, and I am certainly interested in finding out a lot more.
How true Christine!
'More' than a smile has crossed my face when also 'logging-on' and the two wrap dresses, in the exact colors, that I have recently purchased appear in the advertisment I am viewing.
More bewilderment during the times the cover of my recently released memoir is staring back at me in an Amazon pop-up. . . Yikes!!!
AWF - are the contractors you speak of the 'fruits' of the private military establishment lobbyist's efforts (and now the security establishment's)? Halliburton, KBR (former Kellogg, Brown and Root), Blackwater USA. etc. . .
'Cash-in' seems to beget more 'cash-out' in terms of private contracts - all feeding into the 'cultish' followings (of which I am often quilty) of cable news - The 'Domes' of self-sustaining cultures with their rotating stable of 'experts' - authors promoting each others works and more. . . often suckling from troughs the public 'wills' to be continually filled.
Washington, next to Hollywood, appears to have become one of society's favored 'amphitheaters', and the games as exciting as those ancient. Almost a 'blood lust' frenzy over 'patriotic' and 'non-patriotic' Americans - secular, religeous and evangilistic 'love defining' triangles, the nanny state / progessive divide, lower taxes, higher taxes, no taxes? . . .
Yikes! What 'spectacles' moneyed interests create. . .
'More' than a smile has crossed my face when also 'logging-on' and the two wrap dresses, in the exact colors, that I have recently purchased appear in the advertisment I am viewing.
More bewilderment during the times the cover of my recently released memoir is staring back at me in an Amazon pop-up. . . Yikes!!!
AWF - are the contractors you speak of the 'fruits' of the private military establishment lobbyist's efforts (and now the security establishment's)? Halliburton, KBR (former Kellogg, Brown and Root), Blackwater USA. etc. . .
'Cash-in' seems to beget more 'cash-out' in terms of private contracts - all feeding into the 'cultish' followings (of which I am often quilty) of cable news - The 'Domes' of self-sustaining cultures with their rotating stable of 'experts' - authors promoting each others works and more. . . often suckling from troughs the public 'wills' to be continually filled.
Washington, next to Hollywood, appears to have become one of society's favored 'amphitheaters', and the games as exciting as those ancient. Almost a 'blood lust' frenzy over 'patriotic' and 'non-patriotic' Americans - secular, religeous and evangilistic 'love defining' triangles, the nanny state / progessive divide, lower taxes, higher taxes, no taxes? . . .
Yikes! What 'spectacles' moneyed interests create. . .
Google has 50 million gmail accounts and each account has given Goggle access to all the info in his/her's emails. Its in the small print. Google uses and shares this information. There is no oversight.
We trust Goggle. We trust the current administration. We shouldn't!
Christine Charles nailed it! This story is again about money and it's influence. The executives with the private contractors were in the NSA and the administrators in the government have worked for the contractor. The revolving doors are greased with dollars.
We should separate the actions of a rogue employee who will be rightfully prosecuted from the story that his actions have brought into the light. Hopefully, but not likely, we will use this unfortunate revelation to correct the root causes of our loss of privacy and security.
We trust Goggle. We trust the current administration. We shouldn't!
Christine Charles nailed it! This story is again about money and it's influence. The executives with the private contractors were in the NSA and the administrators in the government have worked for the contractor. The revolving doors are greased with dollars.
We should separate the actions of a rogue employee who will be rightfully prosecuted from the story that his actions have brought into the light. Hopefully, but not likely, we will use this unfortunate revelation to correct the root causes of our loss of privacy and security.
The MUST READ Ron Fournier column of the day: http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/why-i-don-t-care-about-edward-snowden-20130612
I think you're right and so are the Christines. Potential for breach aside, government contracting work with private companies implies a selection process that unfailingly calls for opening a can of fat juicy worms. And that comes down to what Mr. Osler dad states all too well “get the money out of politics” and I might add…remind elected officials to stop stealing lobbying jobs from those legitimately applying for them.
I agree. Both Snowden and Bradley Manning are young, unsophisticated, poorly trained young men without a lot of supervision who were give access to all kinds of secret info... and personal information.
There are tens of thousands more like them.
These two spilled to the public... Just think what unscrupulous people in their position could do. Or people in their position offered money, sex, power, etc. for such info.
There are tens of thousands more like them.
These two spilled to the public... Just think what unscrupulous people in their position could do. Or people in their position offered money, sex, power, etc. for such info.
One further thought on this. Many on this site advocate for smaller government and I get it. But do we, the people, lose the ability for the government to have proper oversite of what is happening on our behalf. Especially when dealing with issues of national security.
Christine, I'm smiling while sarcastic thoughts of our 'beloved' Congress fill my head. . .
How many in 'government' really want to 'down-size' themselves out of their positions - especially those elected to represent us?
Do they really want to give up the superficial 'pomp and ceremony' they have begot knowing their most tangible benefit is often personal 'resume enhancement' (for their next 'gig' - a private sector job most likely tied to their committee assignement doors opened).
Oh, the stress of their tribulations - enjoyed while their egos are stroked, their @$$e$ kissed, their 'soap-boxes' always at the ready for the next 'sound bite' pontification to be 'youtubed and campaign archived,' - all the while 'preening' during committee hearings, coiffed in their DC finest, toiling during 137 days of performing the 'peoples business' and ensuring the 'homelands' safety.
Thankful they are not navigating healthcare, retirement plans, and other responsibilites they advise their constituents in one breath, while more frequently admonishing them with the next, to 'pull up their boot straps' and take increased 'ownership' of their lives.
In troubled times, who needs a helping hand, it's spending that is out of control - less is more - less devoted to education, nutrition, housing, science and research, infrastructure, clean air and water, etc. . . will create the harmonic efficiency necessary for all to benefit - uncertainty, the greatest impediment to investment risk - while uncertainty encountered over 'kitchen table' concerns becomes opportunity to strengthen one's own character.
Oh, to be in this 'together' at a time many have never felt so 'alone'!
My god, the stress of representing us - Might we need to initiate a national 'Congressional Appreciation Day' to honor all they do?
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How many in 'government' really want to 'down-size' themselves out of their positions - especially those elected to represent us?
Do they really want to give up the superficial 'pomp and ceremony' they have begot knowing their most tangible benefit is often personal 'resume enhancement' (for their next 'gig' - a private sector job most likely tied to their committee assignement doors opened).
Oh, the stress of their tribulations - enjoyed while their egos are stroked, their @$$e$ kissed, their 'soap-boxes' always at the ready for the next 'sound bite' pontification to be 'youtubed and campaign archived,' - all the while 'preening' during committee hearings, coiffed in their DC finest, toiling during 137 days of performing the 'peoples business' and ensuring the 'homelands' safety.
Thankful they are not navigating healthcare, retirement plans, and other responsibilites they advise their constituents in one breath, while more frequently admonishing them with the next, to 'pull up their boot straps' and take increased 'ownership' of their lives.
In troubled times, who needs a helping hand, it's spending that is out of control - less is more - less devoted to education, nutrition, housing, science and research, infrastructure, clean air and water, etc. . . will create the harmonic efficiency necessary for all to benefit - uncertainty, the greatest impediment to investment risk - while uncertainty encountered over 'kitchen table' concerns becomes opportunity to strengthen one's own character.
Oh, to be in this 'together' at a time many have never felt so 'alone'!
My god, the stress of representing us - Might we need to initiate a national 'Congressional Appreciation Day' to honor all they do?
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