Posted on 03/10/2017 4:17:15 PM PST by John Semmens
Fresh off the Wikileaks revelation that the US Government is spying on everyone and his vow to complete the remaining six years of his ten year term, FBI Director James Comey blandly informed the American people that "privacy is not a right to which citizens are entitled."
"I'm not saying that Americans don't enjoy a considerable degree of privacy," Comey said, "but let's be clear, this is a privilege extended by the government to those who are not under suspicion of criminal or anti-government activities. Government has a moral right and duty to monitor everyone who might represent a threat. To carry out this duty it is imperative that no device have encryption that thwarts government surveillance—as about 40% of devices now do."
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif) cited President Trump's objections to being wire-tapped as "prima facie evidence of his unfitness to hold office. Rather than support the surveillance that Director Comey points out is essential to fighting crime and detecting security threats, Trump is siding with this country's enemies. If, as he says, he is innocent of any wrongdoing he should have no objection to being monitored by the FBI, CIA, NSA, or whoever is trying to keep an eye out for America."
"Let's be clear," Schiff demanded. "Nowhere in the Constitution does it say citizens have a right to privacy. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say government may not spy on the population. That a man elected to the presidency would attempt to argue the opposite is, in my opinion, a cause for concern."
Former Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), however, disagreed with Schiff, calling Comey's view "a further precarious step on the 'slippery slope' toward totalitarianism. It is shocking that a government official would openly tout a virtually unrestrained invasion of privacy. It is even more shocking that the media are not vociferously opposing such a position. I'm no fan of Donald Trump, but in this case he seems to be on the right side of a critical issue."
In related news, the US Department of Agriculture cracked down on freedom of speech at the West Michigan Beef Company. Owner Don Boon's posting of a newspaper clipping on a break-room bulletin board defending traditional marriage elicited a USDA threat to shut down the meat-packing plant. "We were just following guidelines sent down from Secretary Vilsack," said USDA Section Chief Lance Gooney. "If we want to stamp out prejudice we must confront it in whatever form it appears and use whatever tools we can."
if you missed any of this week's other semi-news/semi-satire posts you can find them at...
https://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Opinion/214237-2017-03-10-semi-news-semi-satire-march-12-2017-edition-by-john.htm
ping
double ping
& bookmark
The bit about the West Michigan Beef Company has to be satire. Right?
Wrong:
https://thefederalist.com/2017/03/10/usda-threatens-shut-farm-conservative-article-break-room
“under suspicion of criminal or anti-government activities”
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
What is the definition of an “anti-government activity”? Is it defined in the US Code?
We have heard it suggested (not infrequently), both by federal law enforcement and the media, especially in the past 20-25 years, that advocating for limited constitutional government is “anti-government activity”, or worse.
I have a fundamental question for anyone here with a legal background. If I have no expectation of privacy in my email or phone conversations with Counsel, does that mean that attorney-client privilege is broken if I speak to my attorney by phone??
Oh I see this is satire...
Frighteningly funny.
Too True for words.
Fake, but Accruate.
Apparently the story is real but the quote is fake.
Comey is an idiot. He needs to monitor every damn Muslim. He is NOT.
No comment until I get a wise response from Rosie O’donald(spell check?) or second wisest Nancy Pelosi.
but let’s be clear, this is a privilege extended by the government to those who are not under suspicion of criminal or anti-government activities. Government has a moral right and duty to monitor everyone who might represent a threat. To carry out this duty it is imperative that no device have encryption that thwarts government surveillance—as about 40% of devices now do.”
FIRE THIS MINDLESS SCUMBAG. NOW.
This FBI director has served his purpose and now needs to be sent out to pasture, he like the limelight too damn much. And he is such a crybaby ......”cellphones are too hard to crack” blah blah blah. WHAT THE HELL IS THE FBI GONNA DO WHEN A CHINESE SPY IS TALKING ON A CHINESE CELL PHONE, ASK THEM NICELY TO NOT ENCRYPT.
Trump needs to drop this FBI director asap. This is worse than when the odumbi AG said that free speech would be limited.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.