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US data whistleblower: 'It's a violation of everybody's constitutional rights' US data whistleblower: 'It's a violation of everybody's constitutional rights'
(2 days later)
Bill Binney believes he helped create a monster.Bill Binney believes he helped create a monster.
Sitting in the innocuous surroundings of an Olive Garden in the Baltimore suburbs, the former senior National Security Agency (NSA) official even believes he owes the whole American people an apology.Sitting in the innocuous surroundings of an Olive Garden in the Baltimore suburbs, the former senior National Security Agency (NSA) official even believes he owes the whole American people an apology.
Binney, a tall, professorial man in his late 60s, led the development of a secret software code he now believes is illegally collecting huge amounts of information on his fellow citizens. For the staunch Republican, who worked for 32 years at the NSA, it is a civil liberties nightmare come true.Binney, a tall, professorial man in his late 60s, led the development of a secret software code he now believes is illegally collecting huge amounts of information on his fellow citizens. For the staunch Republican, who worked for 32 years at the NSA, it is a civil liberties nightmare come true.
So Binney has started speaking out as an NSA whistleblower – an act that has earned him an armed FBI raid on his home. "What's happening is a violation of the constitutional rights of everybody in the country. That's pretty straightforward. I could not be associated with it," he told the Guardian.So Binney has started speaking out as an NSA whistleblower – an act that has earned him an armed FBI raid on his home. "What's happening is a violation of the constitutional rights of everybody in the country. That's pretty straightforward. I could not be associated with it," he told the Guardian.
Binney, a career NSA employee who first volunteered for the army in the mid-1960s, has now become a high-profile thorn in the side of NSA chiefs when they deny the programme's existence.Binney, a career NSA employee who first volunteered for the army in the mid-1960s, has now become a high-profile thorn in the side of NSA chiefs when they deny the programme's existence.
At a hacking conference this summer in Las Vegas, NSA director General Keith Alexander said the NSA "absolutely" did not keep files on Americans.At a hacking conference this summer in Las Vegas, NSA director General Keith Alexander said the NSA "absolutely" did not keep files on Americans.
"Anyone who would tell you that we're keeping files or dossiers on the American people knows that's not true," Alexander told an audience of computer and security experts. But Binney himself was at the same conference and publicly accused Alexander of playing a "word game"."Anyone who would tell you that we're keeping files or dossiers on the American people knows that's not true," Alexander told an audience of computer and security experts. But Binney himself was at the same conference and publicly accused Alexander of playing a "word game".
"Once the software takes in data, it will build profiles on everyone in that data," he told a convention panel there."Once the software takes in data, it will build profiles on everyone in that data," he told a convention panel there.
Binney's outspokenness has earned him media appearances on shows across America's political spectrum ranging from ultra-conservative Glenn Beck's TV show to the liberal radio icon of Democracy Now.Binney's outspokenness has earned him media appearances on shows across America's political spectrum ranging from ultra-conservative Glenn Beck's TV show to the liberal radio icon of Democracy Now.
"This is not a political issue. People on both sides are concerned," Binney said."This is not a political issue. People on both sides are concerned," Binney said.
The story Binney tells is one of extreme over-reaction by America's national security establishment post-9/11. He recounts developing a small software system, called ThinThread, in the late 1990s at the NSA where he was the technical director of the organisation's 6,000-strong World Geopolitical and Military Analysis Reporting Group.The story Binney tells is one of extreme over-reaction by America's national security establishment post-9/11. He recounts developing a small software system, called ThinThread, in the late 1990s at the NSA where he was the technical director of the organisation's 6,000-strong World Geopolitical and Military Analysis Reporting Group.
ThinThread correlated data from emails, phone calls, credit card payments and Internet searches and stored and mapped it in ways that could be analysed.ThinThread correlated data from emails, phone calls, credit card payments and Internet searches and stored and mapped it in ways that could be analysed.
Binney wanted to use ThinThread to track foreign threats but it worked too well and kept catching data on Americans too.Binney wanted to use ThinThread to track foreign threats but it worked too well and kept catching data on Americans too.
So Binney's team built in safeguards that encrypted that data. But, by 2000, the NSA decided to go with developing a larger scale programme called Trailblazer to be built by outside contractors (that eventually failed to make it past the design stage) and ThinThread was effectively mothballed.So Binney's team built in safeguards that encrypted that data. But, by 2000, the NSA decided to go with developing a larger scale programme called Trailblazer to be built by outside contractors (that eventually failed to make it past the design stage) and ThinThread was effectively mothballed.
Then September 11 happened. Within a few weeks, Binney says, he realised parts of ThinThread were now being used by the NSA in a massive and secret surveillance operation.Then September 11 happened. Within a few weeks, Binney says, he realised parts of ThinThread were now being used by the NSA in a massive and secret surveillance operation.
But his safeguards had been removed allowing for far more targeted surveillance of American citizens. "I knew the dangers so I built in protections. And you could still find the bad guys with the protections in it. But that wasn't what they wanted so they took those things out," Binney said.But his safeguards had been removed allowing for far more targeted surveillance of American citizens. "I knew the dangers so I built in protections. And you could still find the bad guys with the protections in it. But that wasn't what they wanted so they took those things out," Binney said.
Binney quickly left the agency and kept his silence. But that was not the end of the story. In late 2005, the New York Times broke the story that the NSA was engaged in large-scale warrantless electronic surveillance.Binney quickly left the agency and kept his silence. But that was not the end of the story. In late 2005, the New York Times broke the story that the NSA was engaged in large-scale warrantless electronic surveillance.
The scandal eventually led to the passing of amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in 2008 which, many critics say, simply gave legal protection to the agency's data-mining operations.The scandal eventually led to the passing of amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in 2008 which, many critics say, simply gave legal protection to the agency's data-mining operations.
The programme has thus effectively continued under the Obama administration, which has launched a ruthless crackdown on national security whistleblowers, especially those leaking NSA secrets.The programme has thus effectively continued under the Obama administration, which has launched a ruthless crackdown on national security whistleblowers, especially those leaking NSA secrets.
Binney gradually began to protest behind the scenes. Yet that earned him an FBI raid by armed agents as he showered at his home. "Here's a guy coming into my shower and pointing a gun at me. I'd been co-operating with these people. Why are they doing this?" he said.Binney gradually began to protest behind the scenes. Yet that earned him an FBI raid by armed agents as he showered at his home. "Here's a guy coming into my shower and pointing a gun at me. I'd been co-operating with these people. Why are they doing this?" he said.
Over the past year Binney has gone fully public, detailing what he believes is a massive effort under the Obama administration to collect virtually all electronic data in the country, from Facebook posts to Google searches to emails.Over the past year Binney has gone fully public, detailing what he believes is a massive effort under the Obama administration to collect virtually all electronic data in the country, from Facebook posts to Google searches to emails.
It is a deeply secret programme, Binney says, that is called Stellar Wind. He points to the NSA's creation of a giant data centre at Bluffdale in Utah as part of the system.It is a deeply secret programme, Binney says, that is called Stellar Wind. He points to the NSA's creation of a giant data centre at Bluffdale in Utah as part of the system.
The gigantic building is set to cost $2bn and be up and running by 2013.The gigantic building is set to cost $2bn and be up and running by 2013.
It is being designed to store huge amounts of accessible web information – such as social media updates – but also information in the "deep web" behind passwords and other firewalls that keep it away from the public.It is being designed to store huge amounts of accessible web information – such as social media updates – but also information in the "deep web" behind passwords and other firewalls that keep it away from the public.
As an example of Stellar Wind's power, Binney believes it is hoovering up virtually every email sent by every American and perhaps a good deal of the people of the rest of the world, too.As an example of Stellar Wind's power, Binney believes it is hoovering up virtually every email sent by every American and perhaps a good deal of the people of the rest of the world, too.
"I didn't expect it from my government. I thought we were the good guys. We wear white hats, right?" he said."I didn't expect it from my government. I thought we were the good guys. We wear white hats, right?" he said.
For Binney, Bluffdale is a symbol that the national security policy conducted by Obama has been little different than that of Bush.For Binney, Bluffdale is a symbol that the national security policy conducted by Obama has been little different than that of Bush.
Obama has renewed the Patriot Act, tried to broaden the powers of detention of American citizens for national security reasons, and deployed the anti-spy Espionage Act more times than all other presidents combined.Obama has renewed the Patriot Act, tried to broaden the powers of detention of American citizens for national security reasons, and deployed the anti-spy Espionage Act more times than all other presidents combined.
"They are still continuing the same programmes – actually, Obama is doing more in some areas," Binney said. Nor is Binney optimistic of rolling back the surveillance."They are still continuing the same programmes – actually, Obama is doing more in some areas," Binney said. Nor is Binney optimistic of rolling back the surveillance.
Last week the House of Representatives voted for a five-year extension to the controversial 2008 FISA amendments.Last week the House of Representatives voted for a five-year extension to the controversial 2008 FISA amendments.
Yet Binney believes there has been too much of a sacrifice of civil liberties in order to fight terrorism. "People should feel the ability to go out there and and do anything that they want to without being looked at all the time. Monitored. Watched," he said.Yet Binney believes there has been too much of a sacrifice of civil liberties in order to fight terrorism. "People should feel the ability to go out there and and do anything that they want to without being looked at all the time. Monitored. Watched," he said.
"The terrorists win, OK? We've lost because we have destroyed our society just to combat them and there was really no reason to do that.""The terrorists win, OK? We've lost because we have destroyed our society just to combat them and there was really no reason to do that."
Binney is also determined to keep on speaking out. "I don't see any other recourse. Everybody needs to wake up to what we are doing here and whether we want it or not. There is a big hole at the end of this tunnel and it drops off to nowhere." he said.Binney is also determined to keep on speaking out. "I don't see any other recourse. Everybody needs to wake up to what we are doing here and whether we want it or not. There is a big hole at the end of this tunnel and it drops off to nowhere." he said.
CommentsComments
17 comments, displaying first17 comments, displaying first
15 September 2012 6:59PM15 September 2012 6:59PM
It's not just the Americans, CAMORON wants to do the same in the UK. Government is actually afraid of its legitimate electorate. Their ideology means they know what's best for everyone and that's enslavement to the capitalists.It's not just the Americans, CAMORON wants to do the same in the UK. Government is actually afraid of its legitimate electorate. Their ideology means they know what's best for everyone and that's enslavement to the capitalists.
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15 September 2012 8:36PM15 September 2012 8:36PM
Big brother has data envy. The NSA and it's affiliates, such as GCHQ in the UK and the CSE in Canada, always had the capability to eavesdrop on all our electronic communications, but now companies like Google and Facebook have a greater capacity to collect data on us than the NSA ever had. From the perspective of the NSA, that's intolerable. After all, they have a mandate to listen to everything, all the time, everywhere. They've been doing it for God and country, but now Google and Facebook are beating them at their own game and they're just in it for the money. So big brother is playing catch up.Big brother has data envy. The NSA and it's affiliates, such as GCHQ in the UK and the CSE in Canada, always had the capability to eavesdrop on all our electronic communications, but now companies like Google and Facebook have a greater capacity to collect data on us than the NSA ever had. From the perspective of the NSA, that's intolerable. After all, they have a mandate to listen to everything, all the time, everywhere. They've been doing it for God and country, but now Google and Facebook are beating them at their own game and they're just in it for the money. So big brother is playing catch up.
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15 September 2012 9:24PM15 September 2012 9:24PM
The more illegitimate a government becomes, the more insecure it is of its power. So it resorts to violence, criminality, secrecy, and lies to maintain its hold, and so becomes ever more illegitimate.
And hello, NSA!		The more illegitimate a government becomes, the more insecure it is of its power. So it resorts to violence, criminality, secrecy, and lies to maintain its hold, and so becomes ever more illegitimate.
And hello, NSA!
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15 September 2012 11:09PM15 September 2012 11:09PM
Apparently even Romney's campaign is using data mining of credit card records, etc. by commercial companies to find potential wealthy republican donors to fund his presidential bid. The truth is everytime somoene sets foot outside their door they are tracked by CCTV & ANPR cameras; their purchases are revealed by using their debit cards (or even through the RFID tags embedded in them); and their internet browsing & emails are collected & analysed. Anything that involves electronic or even physical interaction is probably under some kind of surveillance, by not only governments, but by commerical companies (& potentially even your next door neighbour). With improvements in technology surveillance (& the ability to analyse the data generated) will keep growing. The truth is people haven't woken up. I don't know if they ever will. The days of cameras watching you go to the toilet in your own home (discounting laptop webcams) are nearly here.Apparently even Romney's campaign is using data mining of credit card records, etc. by commercial companies to find potential wealthy republican donors to fund his presidential bid. The truth is everytime somoene sets foot outside their door they are tracked by CCTV & ANPR cameras; their purchases are revealed by using their debit cards (or even through the RFID tags embedded in them); and their internet browsing & emails are collected & analysed. Anything that involves electronic or even physical interaction is probably under some kind of surveillance, by not only governments, but by commerical companies (& potentially even your next door neighbour). With improvements in technology surveillance (& the ability to analyse the data generated) will keep growing. The truth is people haven't woken up. I don't know if they ever will. The days of cameras watching you go to the toilet in your own home (discounting laptop webcams) are nearly here.
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15 September 2012 11:10PM15 September 2012 11:10PM
The days of compulsory toilet cameras aren't far off.The days of compulsory toilet cameras aren't far off.
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16 September 2012 6:32AM16 September 2012 6:32AM
There are obviously some pretty outrageous conspiracy theories out there, but it's difficult for me to dismiss "little" instances like these as they become more of a common occurance. It's always interesting to see what gets declassified after 50 years, but hell, they aren't even doing that anymore, there's still stuff from WWII they won't tell us. The trick is the blame is lost in the bureaucracy, "I was told to"-"orders came from above"-"we only participated in a small portion".There are obviously some pretty outrageous conspiracy theories out there, but it's difficult for me to dismiss "little" instances like these as they become more of a common occurance. It's always interesting to see what gets declassified after 50 years, but hell, they aren't even doing that anymore, there's still stuff from WWII they won't tell us. The trick is the blame is lost in the bureaucracy, "I was told to"-"orders came from above"-"we only participated in a small portion".
It resembles how blame disappears when huge corporations fail. "I was following orders"-"my boss told me to"-"it's not us, we answer to the share-holder"-"we didn't know". If I did something bad when I was a kid, I'd get my ass beat. If I said "I didn't know", I would still get punished. Where's the accountability now? Oh yeah, we need less government, less regulation. Big brother is interfering with your life. No b.s. Big brother has regulatory oversight over your organization and your company has the money to lobby. But big brother has been keeping tabs apparently....It resembles how blame disappears when huge corporations fail. "I was following orders"-"my boss told me to"-"it's not us, we answer to the share-holder"-"we didn't know". If I did something bad when I was a kid, I'd get my ass beat. If I said "I didn't know", I would still get punished. Where's the accountability now? Oh yeah, we need less government, less regulation. Big brother is interfering with your life. No b.s. Big brother has regulatory oversight over your organization and your company has the money to lobby. But big brother has been keeping tabs apparently....
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16 September 2012 7:55AM16 September 2012 7:55AM
By their very nature, security operations can NEVER be "white hat". They are, at best, grey hat and nobody should imagine for a moment that the operatives don't know this. "Smiley's People", regardless of nation, are under no illusion that they are saintly. It is common knowledge that security agencies bear closer resemblance to those in "The IPCRESS File" than "James Bond" - dirty, underhand, manipulative and conniving. And not always terribly competent.By their very nature, security operations can NEVER be "white hat". They are, at best, grey hat and nobody should imagine for a moment that the operatives don't know this. "Smiley's People", regardless of nation, are under no illusion that they are saintly. It is common knowledge that security agencies bear closer resemblance to those in "The IPCRESS File" than "James Bond" - dirty, underhand, manipulative and conniving. And not always terribly competent.
For that reason, I can draw two conclusions - first, the guy was either not that senior OR is lying through his teeth about something; second, dodgy surveillance practices have likely gone on for a long time without adequate safeguards - but probably have such low signal:noise ratios as to be highly ineffective.For that reason, I can draw two conclusions - first, the guy was either not that senior OR is lying through his teeth about something; second, dodgy surveillance practices have likely gone on for a long time without adequate safeguards - but probably have such low signal:noise ratios as to be highly ineffective.
Any facility that exists for processing this kind of data likely has a resemblance to a cross between Ghostbusters and The Young Ones. Certainly, the anti-terror operations that have been well publicized fit into that category.Any facility that exists for processing this kind of data likely has a resemblance to a cross between Ghostbusters and The Young Ones. Certainly, the anti-terror operations that have been well publicized fit into that category.
Overreach? Maybe. All evidence so far suggests reactions based on fear and the need to appear to be doing something (even if it's likely the wrong something), rather than a power grab for the sake of power. To be fair, the rise in domestic extremism in the US (much of which involves ex-military types and Christian religious fanatics involved in holy war) is something that merits a good deal of concern. If there was some reason to think that the security agencies were actually looking at those groups, I would have no objection to domestic spying. Those are very dangerous people. However, so far nothing indicates that those are the ones being monitored. Which, again, goes back to the question of competence.Overreach? Maybe. All evidence so far suggests reactions based on fear and the need to appear to be doing something (even if it's likely the wrong something), rather than a power grab for the sake of power. To be fair, the rise in domestic extremism in the US (much of which involves ex-military types and Christian religious fanatics involved in holy war) is something that merits a good deal of concern. If there was some reason to think that the security agencies were actually looking at those groups, I would have no objection to domestic spying. Those are very dangerous people. However, so far nothing indicates that those are the ones being monitored. Which, again, goes back to the question of competence.
Is it worth me getting worried? Not really. This is the way things have always been and history seems to have gotten along just fine despite it all. Besides, without any media outlet actually investigating (no, quoting someone isn't investigating), all I know is that some person I've never heard of has made a claim where at least some details are highly dubious and the others are unverifiable/unverified.Is it worth me getting worried? Not really. This is the way things have always been and history seems to have gotten along just fine despite it all. Besides, without any media outlet actually investigating (no, quoting someone isn't investigating), all I know is that some person I've never heard of has made a claim where at least some details are highly dubious and the others are unverifiable/unverified.
It's vital stuff for the media to report on, yes, but only if facts are checked and research done. Otherwise, what's the difference between this and any fireside ghost story?It's vital stuff for the media to report on, yes, but only if facts are checked and research done. Otherwise, what's the difference between this and any fireside ghost story?
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16 September 2012 9:57AM16 September 2012 9:57AM
' "Anyone who would tell you that we're keeping files or dossiers on the American people knows that's not true," Alexander told an audience of computer and security experts.'' "Anyone who would tell you that we're keeping files or dossiers on the American people knows that's not true," Alexander told an audience of computer and security experts.'
Other government employees claim the US doesn't torture people ....Other government employees claim the US doesn't torture people ....
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16 September 2012 9:59AM16 September 2012 9:59AM
Has the Romney campaign offered to give on spying on everyone?Has the Romney campaign offered to give on spying on everyone?
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16 September 2012 1:29PM16 September 2012 1:29PM
Like Assange, Binney will be seen, in due historical accounts, as an information Hero. And those who pervade the work of these Heroes will be seen in proper focus too......
We ALL know who is "for" and who is "against" Truth; and also who has propensities for "shooting the messenger"........		Like Assange, Binney will be seen, in due historical accounts, as an information Hero. And those who pervade the work of these Heroes will be seen in proper focus too......
We ALL know who is "for" and who is "against" Truth; and also who has propensities for "shooting the messenger"........
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16 September 2012 2:19PM16 September 2012 2:19PM
1984 - Big Brother - Barack Obama is watching and the surveillance will continue no matter who's put in office; what are they - the elites, worried about? Americans are trained to be obedient consumers from the moment their overworked parents put them in front of a TV, and the few informed potential radicals and anarchists have no real impact outside of their insular community of like minded; American mass consumer antisociety will stay secure until gas and food riots occur, which may be sooner than the plutocrats and their venal, mendacious pols would like.1984 - Big Brother - Barack Obama is watching and the surveillance will continue no matter who's put in office; what are they - the elites, worried about? Americans are trained to be obedient consumers from the moment their overworked parents put them in front of a TV, and the few informed potential radicals and anarchists have no real impact outside of their insular community of like minded; American mass consumer antisociety will stay secure until gas and food riots occur, which may be sooner than the plutocrats and their venal, mendacious pols would like.
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16 September 2012 11:21PM16 September 2012 11:21PM
parse out the words "we" are not keeping dossiers on the public - according the those doing it ... rather it is the program that does it (legal responsibility deflected!)parse out the words "we" are not keeping dossiers on the public - according the those doing it ... rather it is the program that does it (legal responsibility deflected!)
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17 September 2012 12:23AM17 September 2012 12:23AM
Here's the DemocracyNow! program about Binney
http://www.democracynow.org/2012/4/20/whistleblower_the_nsa_is_lying_us		Here's the DemocracyNow! program about Binney
http://www.democracynow.org/2012/4/20/whistleblower_the_nsa_is_lying_us
There are a lot of people out there trying to speak out and it's costing them dearly.
Thomas Tamm, Whistle Blower who leaked to the NYTs, who then sat on the secret and illegal spy program for a year until after Bush's election. Obama and Holder aren't pursuing prosecution, maybe the only one.
They also had been monitoring Senator Jane Harman and got her on tape agreeing to interfere with the outcome of an AIPAC spy case- and they used that information to blackmail her about not going public about the spying on the public!		There are a lot of people out there trying to speak out and it's costing them dearly.
Thomas Tamm, Whistle Blower who leaked to the NYTs, who then sat on the secret and illegal spy program for a year until after Bush's election. Obama and Holder aren't pursuing prosecution, maybe the only one.
They also had been monitoring Senator Jane Harman and got her on tape agreeing to interfere with the outcome of an AIPAC spy case- and they used that information to blackmail her about not going public about the spying on the public!
The Justice Department has dropped its long-running criminal investigation of a lawyer who publicly admitted leaking information about President George W. Bush’s top-secret warrantless wiretapping program to The New York Times — disclosures that Bush vehemently denounced as a breach of national security. They also stoked a congressional debate about whether the government had overstepped its authority as it scrambled to respond to the Sept. 11 terror attacks.The Justice Department has dropped its long-running criminal investigation of a lawyer who publicly admitted leaking information about President George W. Bush’s top-secret warrantless wiretapping program to The New York Times — disclosures that Bush vehemently denounced as a breach of national security. They also stoked a congressional debate about whether the government had overstepped its authority as it scrambled to respond to the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
The decision not to prosecute former Justice Department lawyer Thomas Tamm means it is unlikely that anyone will be charged for the disclosures that led to the Times’ Pulitzer Prize-winning story in December 2005, revealing that after the Sept. 11 attacks, Bush ordered the interception of certain phone calls and email messages into and out of the U.S. without a warrant — a move many lawyers contend violated the 1978 law governing intelligence-related wiretaps.
The decision not to prosecute former Justice Department lawyer Thomas Tamm means it is unlikely that anyone will be charged for the disclosures that led to the Times’ Pulitzer Prize-winning story in December 2005, revealing that after the Sept. 11 attacks, Bush ordered the interception of certain phone calls and email messages into and out of the U.S. without a warrant — a move many lawyers contend violated the 1978 law governing intelligence-related wiretaps.
What the Obama Administration, and Attorney General Eric Holder who heads the agency formerly known as "Dept of Justice" are doing/have done to Thomas Drake and others is disgraceful.
Just like they made spying on the public expost facto illegal, they retro-actively made documents he was using classified which were not classified at the time, nor did they divulge any secrets.		What the Obama Administration, and Attorney General Eric Holder who heads the agency formerly known as "Dept of Justice" are doing/have done to Thomas Drake and others is disgraceful.
Just like they made spying on the public expost facto illegal, they retro-actively made documents he was using classified which were not classified at the time, nor did they divulge any secrets.
Oh, this started before 9/11 and I would suspect any country who maintains the spy listening bases is also being monitored in the same manner - the UK and Austrailia.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=abIV0cO64zJE&refer=#		Oh, this started before 9/11 and I would suspect any country who maintains the spy listening bases is also being monitored in the same manner - the UK and Austrailia.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=abIV0cO64zJE&refer=#
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17 September 2012 12:44AM17 September 2012 12:44AM
It's not only the press or TV that manipulates us, propagandizes us and shapes our views. Historical manipulation of public, this conditioning happens in public schools too. According to Chomksy, that's how it's done in a modern democracy. (http://bit.ly/QRSrap start after 9 min, pay attention to where he mentions Walter Lippman)It's not only the press or TV that manipulates us, propagandizes us and shapes our views. Historical manipulation of public, this conditioning happens in public schools too. According to Chomksy, that's how it's done in a modern democracy. (http://bit.ly/QRSrap start after 9 min, pay attention to where he mentions Walter Lippman)
It's not the conservatives as bad as they are for other reasons, it's the "progressives" who are big brother. They, out of the goodness of their hearts think they know what is best for us. (neocons are not conservative)It's not the conservatives as bad as they are for other reasons, it's the "progressives" who are big brother. They, out of the goodness of their hearts think they know what is best for us. (neocons are not conservative)
The less the government appears to be authoritarian, the more psychological manipulation they are using for control. Maybe the increase in spying and the militarization of the police means that control of public opinion and knowledge is getting away from them, and this is an attempt by the elites to man the garrisons to protect themselves from the rabble after the game has been exposed.The less the government appears to be authoritarian, the more psychological manipulation they are using for control. Maybe the increase in spying and the militarization of the police means that control of public opinion and knowledge is getting away from them, and this is an attempt by the elites to man the garrisons to protect themselves from the rabble after the game has been exposed.
Have some cake, said Marie Antionette.Have some cake, said Marie Antionette.
More on the "Progessive" Lippman and capitalism: http://bit.ly/OuZSQEMore on the "Progessive" Lippman and capitalism: http://bit.ly/OuZSQE
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17 September 2012 1:52AM17 September 2012 1:52AM
Thanks for the response.Thanks for the response.
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17 September 2012 11:02AM17 September 2012 11:02AM
And I thought all that technical stuff in NCIS TV series was science fiction! Well at least the TV characters have good intentions.
Still, as an ordinary Joe Public type I will remain more wary of criminal hackers than Uncle Sam, or GCHQ.		And I thought all that technical stuff in NCIS TV series was science fiction! Well at least the TV characters have good intentions.
Still, as an ordinary Joe Public type I will remain more wary of criminal hackers than Uncle Sam, or GCHQ.
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18 September 2012 4:51PM18 September 2012 4:51PM
When you create a monster (Frankenstein), you have to face the realization that it might and probably will turn on you.When you create a monster (Frankenstein), you have to face the realization that it might and probably will turn on you.
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Comments on this page are now closed.Comments on this page are now closed.
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(3min 41sec) Cyber-security strategy: 'The Chinese and Russians were trying to attack Whitehall computers'(3min 41sec) Cyber-security strategy: 'The Chinese and Russians were trying to attack Whitehall computers'
26 Jun 200926 Jun 2009
Richard Norton-Taylor, security editor, on British intelligence agencies' plans to protect against cyber-attackRichard Norton-Taylor, security editor, on British intelligence agencies' plans to protect against cyber-attack
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Former National Security Agency official Bill Binney says US is illegally collecting huge amounts of data on his fellow citizensFormer National Security Agency official Bill Binney says US is illegally collecting huge amounts of data on his fellow citizens
Bill Binney believes he helped create a monster.Bill Binney believes he helped create a monster.
Sitting in the innocuous surroundings of an Olive Garden in the Baltimore suburbs, the former senior National Security Agency (NSA) official even believes he owes the whole American people an apology.Sitting in the innocuous surroundings of an Olive Garden in the Baltimore suburbs, the former senior National Security Agency (NSA) official even believes he owes the whole American people an apology.
Binney, a tall, professorial man in his late 60s, led the development of a secret software code he now believes is illegally collecting huge amounts of information on his fellow citizens. For the staunch Republican, who worked for 32 years at the NSA, it is a civil liberties nightmare come true.Binney, a tall, professorial man in his late 60s, led the development of a secret software code he now believes is illegally collecting huge amounts of information on his fellow citizens. For the staunch Republican, who worked for 32 years at the NSA, it is a civil liberties nightmare come true.
So Binney has started speaking out as an NSA whistleblower – an act that has earned him an armed FBI raid on his home. "What's happening is a violation of the constitutional rights of everybody in the country. That's pretty straightforward. I could not be associated with it," he told the Guardian.So Binney has started speaking out as an NSA whistleblower – an act that has earned him an armed FBI raid on his home. "What's happening is a violation of the constitutional rights of everybody in the country. That's pretty straightforward. I could not be associated with it," he told the Guardian.
Binney, a career NSA employee who first volunteered for the army in the mid-1960s, has now become a high-profile thorn in the side of NSA chiefs when they deny the programme's existence.Binney, a career NSA employee who first volunteered for the army in the mid-1960s, has now become a high-profile thorn in the side of NSA chiefs when they deny the programme's existence.
At a hacking conference this summer in Las Vegas, NSA director General Keith Alexander said the NSA "absolutely" did not keep files on Americans.At a hacking conference this summer in Las Vegas, NSA director General Keith Alexander said the NSA "absolutely" did not keep files on Americans.
"Anyone who would tell you that we're keeping files or dossiers on the American people knows that's not true," Alexander told an audience of computer and security experts. But Binney himself was at the same conference and publicly accused Alexander of playing a "word game"."Anyone who would tell you that we're keeping files or dossiers on the American people knows that's not true," Alexander told an audience of computer and security experts. But Binney himself was at the same conference and publicly accused Alexander of playing a "word game".
"Once the software takes in data, it will build profiles on everyone in that data," he told a convention panel there."Once the software takes in data, it will build profiles on everyone in that data," he told a convention panel there.
Binney's outspokenness has earned him media appearances on shows across America's political spectrum ranging from ultra-conservative Glenn Beck's TV show to the liberal radio icon of Democracy Now.Binney's outspokenness has earned him media appearances on shows across America's political spectrum ranging from ultra-conservative Glenn Beck's TV show to the liberal radio icon of Democracy Now.
"This is not a political issue. People on both sides are concerned," Binney said."This is not a political issue. People on both sides are concerned," Binney said.
The story Binney tells is one of extreme over-reaction by America's national security establishment post-9/11. He recounts developing a small software system, called ThinThread, in the late 1990s at the NSA where he was the technical director of the organisation's 6,000-strong World Geopolitical and Military Analysis Reporting Group.The story Binney tells is one of extreme over-reaction by America's national security establishment post-9/11. He recounts developing a small software system, called ThinThread, in the late 1990s at the NSA where he was the technical director of the organisation's 6,000-strong World Geopolitical and Military Analysis Reporting Group.
ThinThread correlated data from emails, phone calls, credit card payments and Internet searches and stored and mapped it in ways that could be analysed.ThinThread correlated data from emails, phone calls, credit card payments and Internet searches and stored and mapped it in ways that could be analysed.
Binney wanted to use ThinThread to track foreign threats but it worked too well and kept catching data on Americans too.Binney wanted to use ThinThread to track foreign threats but it worked too well and kept catching data on Americans too.
So Binney's team built in safeguards that encrypted that data. But, by 2000, the NSA decided to go with developing a larger scale programme called Trailblazer to be built by outside contractors (that eventually failed to make it past the design stage) and ThinThread was effectively mothballed.So Binney's team built in safeguards that encrypted that data. But, by 2000, the NSA decided to go with developing a larger scale programme called Trailblazer to be built by outside contractors (that eventually failed to make it past the design stage) and ThinThread was effectively mothballed.
Then September 11 happened. Within a few weeks, Binney says, he realised parts of ThinThread were now being used by the NSA in a massive and secret surveillance operation.Then September 11 happened. Within a few weeks, Binney says, he realised parts of ThinThread were now being used by the NSA in a massive and secret surveillance operation.
But his safeguards had been removed allowing for far more targeted surveillance of American citizens. "I knew the dangers so I built in protections. And you could still find the bad guys with the protections in it. But that wasn't what they wanted so they took those things out," Binney said.But his safeguards had been removed allowing for far more targeted surveillance of American citizens. "I knew the dangers so I built in protections. And you could still find the bad guys with the protections in it. But that wasn't what they wanted so they took those things out," Binney said.
Binney quickly left the agency and kept his silence. But that was not the end of the story. In late 2005, the New York Times broke the story that the NSA was engaged in large-scale warrantless electronic surveillance.Binney quickly left the agency and kept his silence. But that was not the end of the story. In late 2005, the New York Times broke the story that the NSA was engaged in large-scale warrantless electronic surveillance.
The scandal eventually led to the passing of amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in 2008 which, many critics say, simply gave legal protection to the agency's data-mining operations.The scandal eventually led to the passing of amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in 2008 which, many critics say, simply gave legal protection to the agency's data-mining operations.
The programme has thus effectively continued under the Obama administration, which has launched a ruthless crackdown on national security whistleblowers, especially those leaking NSA secrets.The programme has thus effectively continued under the Obama administration, which has launched a ruthless crackdown on national security whistleblowers, especially those leaking NSA secrets.
Binney gradually began to protest behind the scenes. Yet that earned him an FBI raid by armed agents as he showered at his home. "Here's a guy coming into my shower and pointing a gun at me. I'd been co-operating with these people. Why are they doing this?" he said.Binney gradually began to protest behind the scenes. Yet that earned him an FBI raid by armed agents as he showered at his home. "Here's a guy coming into my shower and pointing a gun at me. I'd been co-operating with these people. Why are they doing this?" he said.
Over the past year Binney has gone fully public, detailing what he believes is a massive effort under the Obama administration to collect virtually all electronic data in the country, from Facebook posts to Google searches to emails.Over the past year Binney has gone fully public, detailing what he believes is a massive effort under the Obama administration to collect virtually all electronic data in the country, from Facebook posts to Google searches to emails.
It is a deeply secret programme, Binney says, that is called Stellar Wind. He points to the NSA's creation of a giant data centre at Bluffdale in Utah as part of the system.It is a deeply secret programme, Binney says, that is called Stellar Wind. He points to the NSA's creation of a giant data centre at Bluffdale in Utah as part of the system.
The gigantic building is set to cost $2bn and be up and running by 2013.The gigantic building is set to cost $2bn and be up and running by 2013.
It is being designed to store huge amounts of accessible web information – such as social media updates – but also information in the "deep web" behind passwords and other firewalls that keep it away from the public.It is being designed to store huge amounts of accessible web information – such as social media updates – but also information in the "deep web" behind passwords and other firewalls that keep it away from the public.
As an example of Stellar Wind's power, Binney believes it is hoovering up virtually every email sent by every American and perhaps a good deal of the people of the rest of the world, too.As an example of Stellar Wind's power, Binney believes it is hoovering up virtually every email sent by every American and perhaps a good deal of the people of the rest of the world, too.
"I didn't expect it from my government. I thought we were the good guys. We wear white hats, right?" he said."I didn't expect it from my government. I thought we were the good guys. We wear white hats, right?" he said.
For Binney, Bluffdale is a symbol that the national security policy conducted by Obama has been little different than that of Bush.For Binney, Bluffdale is a symbol that the national security policy conducted by Obama has been little different than that of Bush.
Obama has renewed the Patriot Act, tried to broaden the powers of detention of American citizens for national security reasons, and deployed the anti-spy Espionage Act more times than all other presidents combined.Obama has renewed the Patriot Act, tried to broaden the powers of detention of American citizens for national security reasons, and deployed the anti-spy Espionage Act more times than all other presidents combined.
"They are still continuing the same programmes – actually, Obama is doing more in some areas," Binney said. Nor is Binney optimistic of rolling back the surveillance."They are still continuing the same programmes – actually, Obama is doing more in some areas," Binney said. Nor is Binney optimistic of rolling back the surveillance.
Last week the House of Representatives voted for a five-year extension to the controversial 2008 FISA amendments.Last week the House of Representatives voted for a five-year extension to the controversial 2008 FISA amendments.
Yet Binney believes there has been too much of a sacrifice of civil liberties in order to fight terrorism. "People should feel the ability to go out there and and do anything that they want to without being looked at all the time. Monitored. Watched," he said.Yet Binney believes there has been too much of a sacrifice of civil liberties in order to fight terrorism. "People should feel the ability to go out there and and do anything that they want to without being looked at all the time. Monitored. Watched," he said.
"The terrorists win, OK? We've lost because we have destroyed our society just to combat them and there was really no reason to do that.""The terrorists win, OK? We've lost because we have destroyed our society just to combat them and there was really no reason to do that."
Binney is also determined to keep on speaking out. "I don't see any other recourse. Everybody needs to wake up to what we are doing here and whether we want it or not. There is a big hole at the end of this tunnel and it drops off to nowhere." he said.Binney is also determined to keep on speaking out. "I don't see any other recourse. Everybody needs to wake up to what we are doing here and whether we want it or not. There is a big hole at the end of this tunnel and it drops off to nowhere." he said.