What a great post, Red6. May I be the one to inform you that my Friend and our fellow FReeper Atlantic Friend is a French - and not German - citizen!?
Furthermore, you don´t need Northern territories to spy on us - you have a large facility right now in Rhineland-Palatinate, capable to tap electronically all phone talks and scan almost all e-mails for special word combinations. This facility allegedly also collects secret data from our companies - with full knowledge of the government. Your NSA is doing a good job. Too sorry that they had to leave with the US troops leaving my country (which is Germany). Can it be that this is another reason why you don´t leave? Ok, it´s a conspiracy theory, and actually not my style.
Next time you are insulting others, check their home-country, and check what your distinguished President says about their nation before you insult a whole people. I have something like "great and valuable friend" and "heart of Europe" in my ears from the last time he was here - oops, this was yesterday!
The NSA has more important things to do than conduct espionage on a decaying economy. These national assets are leveraged in Iraq, Iran, Columbia, Afghanistan and elsewhere. These are high risk of failure, high cost, high political consequence, high human toll endeavors and these assets were and are used for this.
The NSA (Echelon which you are referring to) was formed in the 40s I believe. Great Britain, New Zealand, Canada are all part of it and have full access (It’s not even American only). Germany and many others CHOSE not to pay. A few years back the EU tried to strong arm access into the NSA and was “shocked” when they were told “no” in Portugal. No-pay, no-see. Ever since then it’s a big game where massive accusations are flying so that they can freeload a little there too. Let me in, or else I’ll accuse you of “XYZ”. It’s a big game. Ironically, some Germans used to have some access in the past, but no longer after the EU wanted to flex their muscle and force access.
If you’re worried about industrial espionage and Echelon, I would try to research Frencheon (The nickname for the French clone of the US/Brit system). The French DO conduct massive industrial and defense related espionage. They even were caught red handed bugging business class seats on Air France (Check it up).
Not every “Schneeball/Snowball” in Germany is a listening station. In fact, I doubt there is much if any today since you’re not the center of gravity anymore (It’s all shifted). It’s not where the action is. Most of the white snowballs are to cover satellite dishes to protect them from rain and snow. You’ll find them everywhere. Sorry Pal, your not that important. You’re important in many ways, and in some aspects very important, but not to where you are a high priority for intel collection. If anything the US is focusing on CI (Counter Intel), your version of MAD (Militaerischer Abschirm Dienst) since Germany is full of Russians, Serbs, Iranians, some AQ and others (That’s not meant as an insult).
Make nothing big out of it. Bush gets along with many in Germany, but no Schroeder or Fischer, nor will he EVER! I said this to you before-Turkey and the UN vote on Iraq killed any reconciliation possibility between the two.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1348501/posts?page=12#12
Germans like Colin Powell. But he was also a Commander in Germany when Greens threw red paint in a generals face. What do you think Colin Powell “really” thinks about Fischer? Remember what Colin Powell did and where he was stationed and what he was in charge of. Though Powell is gone, Rice will see things no different (despite all the hugs now).
Red6
Well, maybe he's from Alsass Lorain? :)
Red6
you don´t need Northern territories to spy on us - you have a large facility right now in Rhineland-Palatinate, capable to tap electronically all phone talks and scan almost all e-mails for special word combinations.How effective do you suppose those 'facilities' are on terrestrially-located fiber optic cables and the like (T-spans and E-spans as categorized in Europe)?
Geesh ... just come right out and say it: "I believe in the power of fairy dust too."