Posted on 07/01/2013 8:30:29 AM PDT by USS Johnston
Former President George W. Bush has weighed in on the Edward Snowden saga, telling CNN the former National Security Agency contractor threatened the security of U.S. citizens by leaking information about the surveillance program his administration created after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.
"I know he damaged the country," Bush said in an interview from Zambia, where he and his wife, Laura, are on a humanitarian mission. "The Obama administration will deal with it. I think he damaged the security of the country."
Like President Barack Obama, Bush deflected criticism of the spy program.
"I put the program in place to protect the country, and one of the certainties is civil liberties were guaranteed," Bush said in the interview...
Bush also refused to criticize his successor. "It doesn't do any good," he said. "It's a hard job. He has plenty on his agenda and it's difficult. [A] former president doesn't need to make it harder."
The White House said Obama will meet Bush on Tuesday in Tanzania...
He added: "You know, ultimately history will judge the decisions that I made. And I won't be around because it's going to take a while for the objective historians to show up. So I'm pretty comfortable with it. I did what I did."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Again, there are legal and illegal ways to collect data.
To "oppose the data collection" is tilting at windmills - millions and millions of citizens routinely and publicly divulge all sorts of personal information.
Why can a business rival analyze someone's social media posts but a prosecutor cannot?
China hacked Unisys computer systems in 2006. Unisys was using these systems to support a Dept of Homeland Security contract maintaining all computer systems for TSA and DHS.
Unisys found out about it after 6 months and didn’t report it for 3 years. DHS rewarded Unisys by awarding portions of the same contract to them a couple years later. The head of TSA IT security then went to work for...wait for it....Unisys.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/23/AR2007092301471.html
The Chinese know more about our govt and commercial IT systems then we do. They know what we are doing and how we are doing it. I have customers who’ve watched someone from a Chinese IP address change security settings in their systems, and change them back after my customer tried to fix.
The real issue here is our govt is spying on Americans with a greater focus and tenacity then they are using for our enemies. They know when you log in to your computer. They know when you receive an email. They know everything you type, everything you read, where you spend money, and who you talk too. They don’t have a warrant for any of this information.
Do you understand how contemptible that is?
Oh now that’s just perfect, I had forgotten all about Brunhilda. Since I was told “just don’t fly” and I wouldn’t have deal with the molestations, loss of privacy and dignity, not to mention the cancer-machines. I wonder where those TSA cheerleaders are today...
Correction, government and those in it damaged America...
In fact, nearly every single problem in America to day, is caused by government.
I understand that if people freely offer up personal information to third parties, they can't really expect that no one will use that information.
If you do not want your data available, then you're going to have to do the work to conceal it.
Wow.
We have come a long way since the Constitutional protection of the privacy of our communications.
You still think the data collection by the NSA is alright.
That’s OK, its your right but this nation is in deep trouble when both political parties think its OK.
That says it all. Bush paved the way for Obama and the destruction of the USofA.
“I understand that if people freely offer up personal information to third parties, they can’t really expect that no one will use that information.”
You seriously don’t see a difference between a private email I send to a friend or customer and the government tracking that email?
“If you do not want your data available, then you’re going to have to do the work to conceal it.”
Thats not what the Constitution says. It says the govt must not unreasonably search my private property.
Perhaps you like a police state, not too many other people do. Except the police.
The supporters of the idea that Snowden betrayed us the People (is there more than one?) would have a better argument if the Prism program had prevented Fort Hood and Boston. Did it? It didn’t because it is about invading everyone’s privacy en masse, and no one’s in particular - that in both of the above cases would have been politically incorrect and “rassiss!”, which is why it couldn’t be done. Forest and the trees, in other words. Like bombing Dresden for no military reason at all, but psychological intimidation. You’d better watch out citizens, we’re watching your every move!
The Constitution does not say one thing about "the privacy of our communications."
You realize that the Constitution was around for almost a century before the secret ballot became commonplace, right?
You still think the data collection by the NSA is alright.
I do not have to like something to acknowledge that it is technically legal.
Hey Dubya how about the personal freedoms you damaged here in America? Thanks for nothing.
>> Not a peep out of 0blaba’s “predecessor” until NOW
Hardly a peep from you too until a few weeks ago.
Welcome to FR.
It is not your private property when you give it away to a third party.
I'll say it again for emphasis, since I think this is being ignored:
It is not your private property when you give it away to a third party.
Not a peep out of 0blaba’s “predecessor” until NOW. For FIVE YEARS — even after all the damage the Commie-Fascist has inflicted upon America with his “Hopey-Change” baloney — suddenly George W. Bush NOW feels compelled to comment on 0blabla’s policies?? Oh wait — he’s not even criticizing ANY of 0blabla’s Commie-Fascist and corrupt governance. He’s merely defending revelations of a Whistleblower that have exposed 0blabla’s NSA snooping policies on We The People and violate the 4th Amendment. Thus far there is NO evidence that it has “damaged the security of country.” But never mind the evidence that the government cares not a whit about the US Constitution.
Ironically it’s been George W. Bush’s unconstitutional Patriot Act and DHS abuse that have emboldened 0blabla to ratchet up his abuse of our privacy and liberties. And for THIS Bush steps out and defends 0blabla — as he’s about to meet with him in Africa? Coincidence? Bottom line: They BOTH “damaged the country” with their pro-globalist policies.
Can’t. Make. This. Up.
Spot on, USS Johnston!!!
I'm glad whenever someone mentions Dresden. My grandparents lost pretty much all of their friends and most of their family members there. They had all been fleeing Stalin and the horrors of Communism. They all thought Dresden was a safe refuge. Instead, they were asphyxiated and burned. And, the Communists continue to hide and lie about how many they murdered there.
I repeat, there is no provision for secrecy.
“The Constitution does not say one thing about “the privacy of our communications.””
It doesn’t say anything about a lot of things. It does say the people shall be free from unreasonable search.
“I do not have to like something to acknowledge that it is technically legal.’
Its technically illegal and immoral. Our govt is spying on every American except those in mosques and you are ok with it.
This isn’t 1950 and the government is at war with the people of the United States.
Exactly! Only fools can’t see it.
“It is not your private property when you give it away to a third party.”
Sure it is. Just because I mail a package to a customer does not give the govt the right to copy the contents of that package without a warrant.
But its not just about packages, or stuff we’re putting on public websites. They are entering our computers, our phones, our bank accounts and TAKING information. Without a warrant.
BTW those “third parties” are entities who have signed contracts and/or agreements with us individually. Their act of providing this information without a warrant violates those contracts and agreements.
This stuff is essentially in reality fluff. Do you not think the Chinese likely knew these efforts were ongoing?
You truly have absolutely no love of Liberty.
You have clearly shown yourself to worship at the Alter of State Power.
You are too blind and arrogant to even entertain the thought that your wonderful Federal Leviathan.
I can say this with certainty: The real damage done to our Republic by Obama is orders of magnitude greater than any damage Snowden could do -- even if Snowden released ALL the data.
Why are you on this site? A better site for your would be GOPe Socialist Paradise.
Snowden is NOT the issue -- it's our government violating our D*mn Constitution.
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