Mystery surrounds costly spy programPosted on 12/09/2004 7:26:11 AM PST by crushelits
Mystery surrounds costly spy program
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress' new blueprint for U.S. intelligence spending includes a mysterious and expensive spy program that drew extraordinary criticism from leading Democrats, with one saying the highly classified project is a threat to national security.
In an unusual rebuke, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the senior Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, complained Wednesday that the spy project was "totally unjustified and very, very wasteful and dangerous to the national security." He called the program "stunningly expensive."
Rockefeller and three other Democratic senators -- Richard Durbin, Carl Levin and Ron Wyden -- refused to sign the congressional compromise negotiated by others in the House and Senate that provides for future U.S. intelligence activities.
The compromise noted that the four senators believed the mystery program was unnecessary and its cost unjustified and that "they believe that the funds for this item should be expended on other intelligence programs that will make a surer and greater contribution to national security."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.netscape.cnn.com ...
There they go again.
If Jay Rockefeller is against it then it has to be good. Knowing nothing else, I'm for it.
A perfect example as to why Dumocrats should NEVER be given a security clearance.
That's how most of our elected representatives make up their minds. It's been a great plan so far. < /sarcasm>
That's what happens when you cram!
Return of TIA?
So you are in favor of this program? Tell me why, in detail.
What precisely does the program do? How much does it cost? Does it respect the rights of the citizens?
Where exactly is Rockefeller wrong? Has there ever been a Democrat who could be trusted on security matters?
Just a few questions.
Rockefeller and three other Democratic senators -- Richard Durbin, Carl Levin and Ron Wyden -- refused to sign the congressional compromise negotiated by others in the House and Senate that provides for future U.S. intelligence activities.
If those four Socialist Experts Disapprove so strongly of the purchasing this software, there should be no doubt as to the value added to the security of the United States.
The only other indicators that would make it an even more worthwhile purchase, would be the Diaspproval of Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden and John Kerry! If their disapproval of this system is voice then it is a MUST HAVE item for the Homeland Security of the United States!!
It's Secret!!!!! How would I know the details? Do I believe Dumocrats? NO!!!! But if you can tell me the details of this top secret program, so I can make a decision as to whether I would support it. Be my guest, I'm reading.
with a forward penned by Alec Baldwin.
That's part of the difficulty. You might recall the column that William Safire wrote two years ago about Total Information Awareness being created by the Homeland Security Act - when the HSA never even mentioned that program, and Safire also severely mischaracterized TIA. I've found through experience that there is an flourishing alarmism industry that makes it difficult to evaluate good from bad and ugly.
I was opposed to TIA, mainly because it would have been worthless for the purpose intended and instead would probably have been used as a look-up database to use as a political weapon. But it's also the case that the fedgov needs to learn better data mining techniques to extract useful intel from their existing data stream - and the hullaballoo about TIA made data mining a dirty word in Washington politics - and set back efforts to improve such.
So I'll take Rockefeller's words with a very large grain of salt and wait for better information.
?..........What does they mean by TOTALLY and DANGEROUS....?
.......How can they still be senators?.....wouldn't they at least 'resign'.....do to the serious nature claimed?
Just 'do it!'
Good questions, all... However since Rockefeller's fingerprints were all over last year's leaked (whistleblown?) internal Democrat memo describing their plans to misuse Intelligence Committee hearings and confidential documents for partisan advantage, he has forfeited any credibility on issues of national security.
Normally I would pay more attention to the contents of such a statement rather than merely dismissing it due to the identity of the speaker, however in this case I'll wait for a less tainted speaker to comment on the matter before passing any judgement.
You made my point.
No I didn't. You believe Dumocrats....I DON'T.
I think that is precisely what should be done, which is the point I have been making. In contrast, others have said "if a Democrat is against it, I'm for it"
Very childish IMO.
bump!
Of course you did, despite not understanding why.
You believe Dumocrats
Not necessarily, and I certainly never said I believed the ones in this story. You make that up all by yourself?
....I DON'T.
How about Zell Miller? He seems to be a darling around here.
According to Rush this is not a new program, actually started two years ago... but why did the DemonicRats choose to reveal its existence....that is the question.....
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