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NSA on Line 4
Author: BobR    Date: 06/06/2013 12:33:42

The latest "scandal-du-jour" that is meant to taint the Obama presidency and/or lead to impeachment hearings shall be known as "the phone tapping scandal". Apparently, the FBI requested that Verizon provide phone call logs for every call its customers make. Is this oogy? Yes. Did this come from the White House? We don't know. Is this legal? Apparently.

Turning the Wayback machine to 2005, it was revealed that the Bush administration was using the Patriot Act to wiretap all international calls. Instead of apologizing when this was revealed, he doubled-down and asked for a renewal of the law. A court put a stop to it, but the Republican Congress quickly passed a new law removing the requirement for the NSA to get a warrant. In 2008 when the new law expired, a new compromise was reached that required warrants, but allowed them to be applied for retroactively. The new bill also granted immunity to telecom companies that complied with the NSA to provide taps without warrants.

The immunity was likely added to protect the companies from lawsuits after it was revealed that AT&T - at the behest of the NSA - had installed a splitter in its San Francisco facility, and was sending a copy of ALL communications to the NSA. That means all calls - including domestic - and all information, including the audio. It is assumed that the stream of calls was processed by voice recognition software looking for specific words or phrases. So if you used the words "bomb" and "death to America" in a call, it likely got flagged for manual attention.

Just last year, the FISA law was renewed by the Senate for another 5 years. This allows the NSA to continue to secretly get wiretap approvals from a secret FISA court. So essentially - this is the same ongoing surveillance that we've lived with since "9/11 changed everything".

What's different this time is that the FBI is making the request. The other difference is that they are requesting logs of the calls, NOT wiretaps. In other words, they'll be able to see who you called and when, but won't actually hear what you talked about. One assumes they have some computer algorithm that will comb the call metadata looking for certain patterns that indicate criminal or terroristic behavior, at which point they will likely request a wiretap for that particular individual.

The order covers a 4 month period, expiring next month. It was signed by a judge, thus making it legal. It is not nearly as intrusive as the tactics taken when the Republicans were in charge. Does that mean I approve of it? No, I do not. But then - I have a right to disapprove: I did not vote for the Republicans that put this framework into place.

Anyone who voted for Republicans, though (and Republican politicians in particular) - this is what you voted for. You have no right to criticize.
 

102 comments (Latest Comment: 06/07/2013 00:04:54 by Will in Chicago)
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Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 12:42:51
Two words: Glen Greenwald. That is all.

Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 12:45:53
I blame my co-worker, Andrea...

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim2/2013/06/05/AP130605110274_620x350.jpg


Comment by Scoopster on 06/06/2013 12:46:07
Mornin' all..

While I agree with putting the blame on the Congressional GOP for forcing this into place, that still doesn't mean that the Obama Administration is in the right. They should at least have more respect for this country's citizens than the Republicans do and should choose not to exercise this power.

Comment by wickedpam on 06/06/2013 12:58:43
Morning

Raine/Bob did you guys hear Bill Gertz on WTOP this morning? The lastest "news" for Benghazi is that it was a kidnapping attempt gone bad and the Ambassador was murdered with lethal injection. Why does TOP put crazy people on the air?

Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 13:03:58
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning

Raine/Bob did you guys hear Bill Gertz on WTOP this morning? The lastest "news" for Benghazi is that it was a kidnapping attempt gone bad and the Ambassador was murdered with lethal injection. Why does TOP put crazy people on the air?



WTF?

Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 13:12:07
I am now a cool kid. Got the dual monitor thing happening!

Comment by wickedpam on 06/06/2013 13:17:25
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning

Raine/Bob did you guys hear Bill Gertz on WTOP this morning? The lastest "news" for Benghazi is that it was a kidnapping attempt gone bad and the Ambassador was murdered with lethal injection. Why does TOP put crazy people on the air?



WTF?


ya crazy, I know - guy writes for the Times and the Free Beacon -
Possible Poisoning - the new crazy theroy

Comment by Raine on 06/06/2013 13:23:22
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning

Raine/Bob did you guys hear Bill Gertz on WTOP this morning? The lastest "news" for Benghazi is that it was a kidnapping attempt gone bad and the Ambassador was murdered with lethal injection. Why does TOP put crazy people on the air?
I would love to hear that interview. I went to his twitter feed and got this:

‏
@BillGertz 5 Jun
Al Qaeda claims US amb. to Libya killed in Benghazi by lethal injection in botched kidnap attempt. http://freebeacon.com/possible-poisoning/ …



An al Qaeda terrorist stated in a recent online posting that U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens was killed by lethal injection after plans to kidnap him during the Sept. 11, 2012 terror attack in Benghazi went bad.

The veracity of the claim made by Abdallah Dhu-al-Bajadin, who was identified by U.S. officials as a known weapons experts for al Qaeda, could not be determined. However, U.S. officials have not dismissed the terrorist’s assertion.

An FBI spokeswoman indicated the bureau was aware of the claim but declined to comment because of the bureau’s ongoing investigation into the Benghazi attack.

“While there is a great deal of information in the media and on the Internet about the attack in Benghazi, the FBI is not in a position at this time to comment on anything specific with regard to the investigation,” Kathy Wright, the FBI spokeswoman, said.


It appears that someone said something on the internet.


Comment by Scoopster on 06/06/2013 13:23:43
Jeez.. what a gourmet nut bar!

Comment by wickedpam on 06/06/2013 13:25:22
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning

Raine/Bob did you guys hear Bill Gertz on WTOP this morning? The lastest "news" for Benghazi is that it was a kidnapping attempt gone bad and the Ambassador was murdered with lethal injection. Why does TOP put crazy people on the air?
I would love to hear that interview. I went to his twitter feed and got this:

‏
@BillGertz 5 Jun
Al Qaeda claims US amb. to Libya killed in Benghazi by lethal injection in botched kidnap attempt. http://freebeacon.com/possible-poisoning/ …



An al Qaeda terrorist stated in a recent online posting that U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens was killed by lethal injection after plans to kidnap him during the Sept. 11, 2012 terror attack in Benghazi went bad.

The veracity of the claim made by Abdallah Dhu-al-Bajadin, who was identified by U.S. officials as a known weapons experts for al Qaeda, could not be determined. However, U.S. officials have not dismissed the terrorist’s assertion.

An FBI spokeswoman indicated the bureau was aware of the claim but declined to comment because of the bureau’s ongoing investigation into the Benghazi attack.

“While there is a great deal of information in the media and on the Internet about the attack in Benghazi, the FBI is not in a position at this time to comment on anything specific with regard to the investigation,” Kathy Wright, the FBI spokeswoman, said.


It appears that someone said something on the internet.



yep and the government didn't deny it


Comment by Raine on 06/06/2013 13:31:08
Quote by wickedpam:
yep and the government didn't deny it
They can't because of this: Abdallah Dhu-al-Bajadin, who was identified by U.S. officials as a known weapons experts for al Qaeda,

It's really getting ridiculous, tho -- I Agree.


Comment by Raine on 06/06/2013 13:39:26
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
yep and the government didn't deny it
They can't because of this: Abdallah Dhu-al-Bajadin, who was identified by U.S. officials as a known weapons experts for al Qaeda,

It's really getting ridiculous, tho -- I Agree.
I will say this, he could have at least tried to get the dude's name correct:
The first installment to circulate through jihadist online circles is ominously titled Al Qaeda Airlines and features an image of a silhouetted twin-engine airliner climbing into the sunset. The 73-page text was penned by longtime jihadist and explosives guru Abdullah Dhu al-Bajadin, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist Web traffic. The mysterious figure is credited with writing an Internet encyclopedia of terror tradecraft, and once fielded online questions about bomb-making from wanna-be evildoers.



That Gertz is taking a terrorists word over US officials really says something about the state of conservative journalism.

Comment by wickedpam on 06/06/2013 13:48:32
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
yep and the government didn't deny it
They can't because of this: Abdallah Dhu-al-Bajadin, who was identified by U.S. officials as a known weapons experts for al Qaeda,

It's really getting ridiculous, tho -- I Agree.
I will say this, he could have at least tried to get the dude's name correct:
The first installment to circulate through jihadist online circles is ominously titled Al Qaeda Airlines and features an image of a silhouetted twin-engine airliner climbing into the sunset. The 73-page text was penned by longtime jihadist and explosives guru Abdullah Dhu al-Bajadin, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist Web traffic. The mysterious figure is credited with writing an Internet encyclopedia of terror tradecraft, and once fielded online questions about bomb-making from wanna-be evildoers.



That Gertz is taking a terrorists word over US officials really says something about the state of conservative journalism.


oh they can't let those details get in the way - I'm just mostly surprised that TOP would put this guy on the air, but then again they've always seemed to give the Right the benefit of the doubt and don't really push actual questions


Comment by TriSec on 06/06/2013 13:49:05
Quote by Mondobubba:
I am now a cool kid. Got the dual monitor thing happening!


Awesome! Welcome to 2003!


Comment by Raine on 06/06/2013 13:50:43
Comment by wickedpam on 06/06/2013 13:51:07
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Mondobubba:
I am now a cool kid. Got the dual monitor thing happening!


Awesome! Welcome to 2003!





Comment by Raine on 06/06/2013 13:52:26
Quote by wickedpam:

oh they can't let those details get in the way - I'm just mostly surprised that TOP would put this guy on the air, but then again they've always seemed to give the Right the benefit of the doubt and don't really push actual questions
I agree. As of late, they have been having a few too many foily types on -- I think that is indicative of the direction conservatives are going.


Comment by wickedpam on 06/06/2013 13:53:42
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:

oh they can't let those details get in the way - I'm just mostly surprised that TOP would put this guy on the air, but then again they've always seemed to give the Right the benefit of the doubt and don't really push actual questions
I agree. As of late, they have been having a few too many foily types on -- I think that is indicative of the direction conservatives are going.



did you know their sister station was WMAL?

Comment by Raine on 06/06/2013 13:55:32
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:

oh they can't let those details get in the way - I'm just mostly surprised that TOP would put this guy on the air, but then again they've always seemed to give the Right the benefit of the doubt and don't really push actual questions
I agree. As of late, they have been having a few too many foily types on -- I think that is indicative of the direction conservatives are going.



did you know their sister station was WMAL?
No. I thought Federal News Radio was.


Comment by wickedpam on 06/06/2013 14:00:06
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:

oh they can't let those details get in the way - I'm just mostly surprised that TOP would put this guy on the air, but then again they've always seemed to give the Right the benefit of the doubt and don't really push actual questions
I agree. As of late, they have been having a few too many foily types on -- I think that is indicative of the direction conservatives are going.



did you know their sister station was WMAL?
No. I thought Federal News Radio was.


oops - I think you might be right - for some reason I always connect MAL and TOP

Comment by Raine on 06/06/2013 14:01:15
WMAL:
The station is owned and operated by Cumulus Media and is affiliated with ABC News Radio, Cumulus Media Networks and Premiere Radio Networks. It is also one of the oldest surviving radio stations in the entire market.


WTOP:
WTOP is an all-news formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Washington, D.C., serving Metropolitan Washington, DC area. WTOP is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting.

WTOP is affiliated with the CBS Radio Network, and reports from several of WTOP's correspondents (including Neal Augenstein, Hank Silverberg and Tom Foty) are played on CBS's network. WTOP's basic format and hourly broadcast schedule, as noted above, is similar to that used by the CBS-owned-and-operated all-news stations, such as WCBS from New York City. WTOP is also affiliated with CNN and the Bloomberg Radio Network.


I don;t think they are sister stations.

Comment by Raine on 06/06/2013 14:02:07
Quote by wickedpam:
oops - I think you might be right - for some reason I always connect MAL and TOP
you knew I had to double check this one out, right?


Comment by wickedpam on 06/06/2013 14:02:53
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
oops - I think you might be right - for some reason I always connect MAL and TOP
you knew I had to double check this one out, right?



I googled it too

Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 14:05:43
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Mondobubba:
I am now a cool kid. Got the dual monitor thing happening!


Awesome! Welcome to 2003!



You wound me, sir. You wound me. I shall now plot my revenge.

Comment by wickedpam on 06/06/2013 14:07:35
I do so enjoy the Mondo/Tri show

Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 14:09:18
:retreats to secret revenge plotting chamber:

Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 14:17:39
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 14:20:29
Keep in mind, when I spring my revenge on Tri, he will not expect it etc....Mawhahahahahah

Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 14:52:42
Revenge killed the blog?

Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 15:02:06
Comment by wickedpam on 06/06/2013 15:04:48



only if it were 9 and if I could cross stitch but I know a few who would enjoy and 11.

So speculation is 11 really 11 and not 12?

Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 15:08:59
Quote by wickedpam:



only if it were 9 and if I could cross stitch but I know a few who would enjoy and 11.

So speculation is 11 really 11 and not 12?


Cross stitch is super easy.

I could care less. Not a Who fan.


Comment by wickedpam on 06/06/2013 15:11:00
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:



only if it were 9 and if I could cross stitch but I know a few who would enjoy and 11.

So speculation is 11 really 11 and not 12?


Cross stitch is super easy.

I could care less. Not a Who fan.


Stamped cross stitch, yes, super easy but counted cross stitch not really that easy for me


Comment by Raine on 06/06/2013 15:12:28
Quote by Mondobubba:
Revenge killed the blog?

I was reading this... Mondo you may appreciate it-- our sushi bar has opened.

The Sushi Bar has opened... sans children.

Hopefully, we will be there tonite!

Comment by wickedpam on 06/06/2013 15:17:53
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Revenge killed the blog?

I was reading this... Mondo you may appreciate it-- our sushi bar has opened.

The Sushi Bar has opened... sans children.

Hopefully, we will be there tonite!



We were talking to him when he delivered our BBQ Monday - apparently they did a soft open last weekend that went super great

Comment by Will in Chicago on 06/06/2013 15:20:49
Good morning, bloggers!! I hope everyone is well.

BobR, thanks for a good blog. We should hold the GOP to account for passing Bush's national security agenda. However, I am not happy with the Obama administration using the laws that the GOP supported.

In some good news, I am getting ready for my interview today. It is cool enough for long sleeve shirts here.


Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 15:22:34
Why I hate great swathes of humanity this is from out standard email to clients (I've added the bold):

Some browsers require you to refresh the page. To do this, hold down the CTRL-key and press F5 on your keyboard. If you still have trouble seeing the changes, please give us a call.



What do you think the people I hate do? Yes! The send a whiny email saying they can't see the changes. Do they fucking read the fucking email completely? NO! Hence my hate.

Comment by Raine on 06/06/2013 15:25:02
Quote by wickedpam:
We were talking to him when he delivered our BBQ Monday - apparently they did a soft open last weekend that went super great
I was so bummed that we were away for it. A few other shop owners were there -- and one of our friends who manages a place on Mount Vernon avenue wanted for all of us to do a theatrical reading of the Del Ray PAtch comments for the soft opening.

Apparently everyone knows who BobR is in Del Ray now --




Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 15:25:46
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Revenge killed the blog?

I was reading this... Mondo you may appreciate it-- our sushi bar has opened.

The Sushi Bar has opened... sans children.

Hopefully, we will be there tonite!


Wonderful! Too bad I stopped eating sushi due my concerns about over fishing of tuna.


Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 15:27:17
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
We were talking to him when he delivered our BBQ Monday - apparently they did a soft open last weekend that went super great
I was so bummed that we were away for it. A few other shop owners were there -- and one of our friends who manages a place on Mount Vernon avenue wanted for all of us to do a theatrical reading of the Del Ray PAtch comments for the soft opening.

Apparently everyone knows who BobR is in Del Ray now --




BobR,
CHILD HATER!



Comment by wickedpam on 06/06/2013 15:27:32
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
We were talking to him when he delivered our BBQ Monday - apparently they did a soft open last weekend that went super great
I was so bummed that we were away for it. A few other shop owners were there -- and one of our friends who manages a place on Mount Vernon avenue wanted for all of us to do a theatrical reading of the Del Ray PAtch comments for the soft opening.

Apparently everyone knows who BobR is in Del Ray now --




BobR can now go into my "Brush with greatness" file


Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 15:38:09
Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 15:58:00
My weather for the next day or so as a single graphic:

http://www.gpb.org/files/imagecache/340x255/tropical_storm_flag_0.jpg


Comment by Raine on 06/06/2013 16:19:56
Quote by Mondobubba:
My weather for the next day or so as a single graphic:

http://www.gpb.org/files/imagecache/340x255/tropical_storm_flag_0.jpg
That storm doesn't sound very good.


Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 16:20:55
TriSec hasn't had much to say since I told him I plotting revenge. I'm sure there's going be some weak excuse about him being busy. I know better, he is cowering in fear of my impending revenge! HA!



Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 16:24:12
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
My weather for the next day or so as a single graphic:

http://www.gpb.org/files/imagecache/340x255/tropical_storm_flag_0.jpg
That storm doesn't sound very good.



I blame my coworker, Andrea for this.

No it isn't going to be fun for the next day or so in these parts. Lots of rain, some wind, more rain. Did I mention it is raining?



Comment by Scoopster on 06/06/2013 16:27:49
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
My weather for the next day or so as a single graphic:

http://www.gpb.org/files/imagecache/340x255/tropical_storm_flag_0.jpg
That storm doesn't sound very good.

I blame my coworker, Andrea for this.

No it isn't going to be fun for the next day or so in these parts. Lots of rain, some wind, more rain. Did I mention it is raining?

The weather report up here was saying the leftovers of that thing would be getting to us as early as tomorrow afternoon. Yuck! It's a good thing I plan to be indoors nerding it up the entire weekend!

Comment by Mondobubba on 06/06/2013 16:33:46
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
My weather for the next day or so as a single graphic:

http://www.gpb.org/files/imagecache/340x255/tropical_storm_flag_0.jpg
That storm doesn't sound very good.

I blame my coworker, Andrea for this.

No it isn't going to be fun for the next day or so in these parts. Lots of rain, some wind, more rain. Did I mention it is raining?

The weather report up here was saying the leftovers of that thing would be getting to us as early as tomorrow afternoon. Yuck! It's a good thing I plan to be indoors nerding it up the entire weekend!


Sounds like a good way to spend a rainy Saturday and Sunday. Good luck crushing your enemies

Comment by Scoopster on 06/06/2013 16:42:25
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
My weather for the next day or so as a single graphic:

http://www.gpb.org/files/imagecache/340x255/tropical_storm_flag_0.jpg
That storm doesn't sound very good.

I blame my coworker, Andrea for this.

No it isn't going to be fun for the next day or so in these parts. Lots of rain, some wind, more rain. Did I mention it is raining?

The weather report up here was saying the leftovers of that thing would be getting to us as early as tomorrow afternoon. Yuck! It's a good thing I plan to be indoors nerding it up the entire weekend!


Sounds like a good way to spend a rainy Saturday and Sunday. Good luck crushing your enemies

Indeed! Take no prisoners!

Comment by Raine on 06/06/2013 16:48:14
Quote by Mondobubba:
TriSec hasn't had much to say since I told him I plotting revenge. I'm sure there's going be some weak excuse about him being busy. I know better, he is cowering in fear of my impending revenge! HA!

Yes, I suspect he is busy setting up a third monitor...