http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/05/us/new-inquiry-into-cia-employees-amid-clashes-over-interrogation-program.html?src=twrhp&_r=1 New York Times is reporting that the C.I.A. may have illegally spied on members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is tasked with oversight on the U.S. intelligence agencies (like the C.I.A.). Allegedly the C.I.A. accessed and spied on computers that members of Congress used in creating reports on the C.I.A.'s detention and interrogation program. The news is somewhat mitigated by the fact that this was discovered and is being investigated by the C.I.A. themselves, which may lead some to think that this spying on Congress was the result of some rogue agents -- but I still think this is a pretty heinous news story. Forgive my descent into speculation, but, if the C.I.A. is spying on members of Congress (who is tasked with oversight of the agency, and is currently challenging/ criticizing it) could it be that these were not just rogue agents, but members of a faction withing the C.I.A. which is proactively challenging Congress. I don't care if your distrust from the government comes from the right or the left (full disclosure, mine is from the left), but we need to really stop bickering about which corporate backed party is right or wrong, and take a look at the overall system. Corporate and wealthy (often foreign) political contributions decide elections and control both the parties, not their constituents. Non civilian government organizations have more leeway to ignore constitutional rights, and seem to ignore or challenge congressional oversight more and more. Again, transcending right and left, a broad popular front against the Machiavellian abuses and corruption of our rulers needs to be challenged by the populous. America is not number 1 in anything except military power anymore. And history teaches us that, when that is the only thing you are number one in, you won't be number one in that for very much longer.
Yes. It could be. And if we're going into the speculation of "could", it could be possible that a member of Congress may secretly by loyal to Iran or North Korea or the Islamists or whatever, and so it would be a good idea for the CIA to investigate.
With the NSA knowing all the phone calls, emails, internet searches and sex lives of the politicians it would not be totally surprising if there was some blackmail or threats going on. Hopefully somebody that we elected in in ultimate control. It is like an episode from a movie.
Yes. It would be like an episode from a movie. And this might be a sign about how plausible your viewpoint is. Just maybe.
So, Kojirou, the CIA admits to spying on members of congress investigating misdeeds by the CIA, and your response is that anyone thinking this could be an issue or a problem is paranoid? The conspiracy theory-ish things you seem to be laughing at people for being afraid of are things the CIA is admitting to have done.
If only economic production, educational, transportation and communications infrastructure were things.
GDP -- yes, you are right. But China is going to overtake us in that. Education and transportation infrastructure -- we are no where near number 1. In education standards we are in the 30's in international rankings every year and our transportation infrastructure is dilapidated and in need of repair in huge parts of the country -- not to mention how far behind we are in public transportation. I don't want these things to be true mind you, and they could easily be improved -- we just need to cut military spending and spend more on education and economic infrastructure development.
Not entirely disagreeing with you. Our GDP is #1, for now. You seem educated like many people I know. They don't share your attitude regarding the United States' superiority - especially in the categories you mentioned. Have you extensively visited China, Japan, Germany, or the UK in the last 2-3 years? IMF/World Bank data doesn't reflect what people see.
Or worse: a member of congress is trying to change Japan's status of being an American puppet state. Having the potential of being blackmailed doesn't change our congressmen's ability and will to do their job right? Right ?
Really. The CIA admitted it? Show me where it says that. And the article itself is basically a dispute between an agency and its oversight committee ( which is hardly anything unusual, whether in business or government). We don't really know much about what the IG is investigating, nor what said investigation has found. But that doesn't stop say, glynch from jumping into "THE NSA IS BLACKMAILING OBAMA!" This is just another windmill to tilt at for your grand progressive crusade, nothing more.
