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NSA Is Back Online After Senate Passes "USA Freedom Act"
While one should remain skeptical of just exactly what will happen, the Senate voted in the majority on Tuesday in favor of the USA Freedom Act, adopting the same version of the bill that had overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives last month by 338-88. The USA Freedom Act (theoretically) ends the NSA’s bulk collection of phone metadata, it allows that information to be stored instead by telecommunications providers, which could then be accessed by intelligence agencies with a warrant.
- *SENATE PASSES HOUSE BILL TO EXTEND U.S. NSA SPY AUTHORITY
By 67-32, Senate votes final passage of USA Freedom Act to extend Patriot Act surveillance authorizations. Pres Obama will sign it.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 2, 2015
The US Senate has passed the House-approved version of the USA Freedom Act, a bill cementing the surveillance powers of the NSA, only one day after the expiration of key provisions of the Patriot Act. While sold as reigning in the agency’s surveillance powers, the bill allows the NSA to resume collecting intelligence.
The Act formally pulls the plug on the NSA’s controversial collection and retention of phone metadata, and marks the first curtailing of US intelligence gathering since the terrorist attacks of September 11.
An un-amended bill...
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), an adamant critic of the bill up until the moment Tuesday’s vote occurred, had unsuccessfully tried earlier in the day to tack on amendments that opponents said would have weakened efforts to reform the nation’s surveillance operations. Had McConnell’s amendments been accepted by the Senate, then the new version of the USA Freedom Act would have had to go back to the House to be voted again, further delaying passage.
With the Senate’s passage of the “clean” reform bill that’s already cleared the House, the USA Freedom Act is expected to soon end up on the desk of President Barack Obama and be signed into law.
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So while on the surface this appears to be a victory, we rather skeptically suggest it merely changes the place where the bulk data is stored... and even more cynically leaves the data access less open to FOIA requests as it is now private property (not government).
Realistically it appears nothing more than a great PR effort to bury the spy state even deeper (and we wonder just what will happen to the Bluffdale, Utah NSA Data Center)?
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This sums it up still in our view...
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What?
Why not?
Total Surveillance is just business, and very lucrative for those connected to the gravy train.
Safe to say it's time to break out the nooses & line up the firing squad!
Time to liquidate this Criminal Fraud UNITED STATES, CORP. INC. & its Fraudulent conspirators
Some small improvements,
but nothing is more Unamercan than secret courts.
How did Rand Paul vote on THIS bill?
because he is a fraud. Don't know what else it will take for fellow Ron Paul fans to realize he is not even in the same league as his father. He is nothing but a garden variety republican. he has gone back on everything good he has ever said or done.
Rand voted AGAINST it, dude. The guy was asking how he voted, not saying he voted for it.
Long AT&T
you read it right ..... it's the fuckin freedom act !
Freedom is slavery and so on..it's going full retard.
Orwellian language at it's best!
YET!
Americans sit there and do absolutley nothing about it!! You get what you desrve,if you can't stop it, may as well suck it right??
I'm waiting for the EMP then capping my neighbor to the south. If he is so unfortunate, I’ll move on to the next neighbor and the next until I have my block secured.
"We freedomed some folks"
Brilliant name! The masses dont even have to read 1 single sentence of the Act...the name says it all.
“Once a government resorts to terror against its own population to get what it wants, it must keep using terror against its own population to get what it wants. A government that terrorizes its own people can never stop. If such a government ever lets the fear subside and rational thought return to the populace, that government is finished.”
-Michael Rivero
USA Freedom Act, brought to you by the Ministery of Truth.
Most people read 1984 as a cautionary tale; our politicians see it as a blueprint for action.
It's almost like they're mocking us as they destroy us.
freedoms just another word for nothing left to loose.
Janice Joplin
Why do they always pick some douchy hippocritical name...........just call it the "We'll Spy if We Darn Well Want to Act" or maybe the "What Are You Going to Do About it Act" or just shorten it to the "Fuck Americans Act" and carry on business as usual down at evil empire headquarters.
"Diapers and politicians should be changed frequently and for the same reason." Robin Williams, in Man of the Year
Thank you NSA, my family and I will sleep soundly knowing that you have our backs.
Did you guys actually think Rand isn't a bought and paid for Ziocon? His filibuster was kabuki theatre with the sole purpose of digging something up only to bury it deeper somewhere else.
These "representatives" of ours all have their roles and scripts. DC is a stage-production.
I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.
All your freedom are belong to US
the ministry of truth has passed the freedom act.
Can we please stop pretending like there has been some BIG victory againts the NSA? These fucking criminals didn't stop spying on us, and they never will. There is only one way to stop the encroaching the police state, and it doesn't come from fiery speeches on the senate floor..
I think many people understand this, but the beast won't hesitate in using some tactical nukes to target those who resist.
Next up, Salt Lake data center leasing space, server capacity and data storage to communications companies. No worries though, the private and government sides of the operation will be appropriately segregated and firewalled.
Exactly.
99.99% of Congress are Kuntzes...Let em all stretch a rope...
Are we just living in Orwell's 1984 now?
Seriously this country is F'd.
Shemitah
Just ask the Chinese how this ends.
They didn't follow the law before, so what makes anyone think they follow it now?
Law? Stop using Slavespeak. There only Acts, Ordinaces & Mandates. These Fraudulent Criminal Psychopaths / Sociopaths can "Act" & do as they please because they're all work for the Bankrupted Criminal Fraud UNITED STATES, CORP, INC.
This is news? Who if anyone here thinks they ever stopped the spy machine in the first place. That's what the NSA does....
It goes to show you that the US Government has no morals, decency and is contemptuous of the Bill of Rights and Constitution.
The American citizen has no place to turn to find an example higher than gutter.
EVERYTHING IN THIS COUNTRY IS FUCKING BULLSHIT!!
Ive been telling people for years that EVERYTHING is a fuckin' sham. This country has turned into complete GMO-fed BS.
it allows that information to be stored instead by telecommunications providers.
Hint TPP. Why do you think they want everyone to have cell phones besides the fact they have a near field radio antenna on every person why GPS to track all your movements. Why do you think these people push for open borders, because they can track everyone's moves. The matrix is also a giant mathematical M x N matrix. The all seeing Ai (eye).
That the telecoms can even log your metadata should be reason enough to stop using them. The problem is the phone systems and no laws will change that.
Stop using cell phones and if you have to migrate to encrypted voip like OSTN in the short term.
Find me a cell phone I can remove the antenna and plug up the microphones/cameras when not in use....
Explain to me why a country would have a local voice terrestrial communication system that routes not only into outerspace but globally in the first place? If national security concerns were being considered you'd never set up the network like this in the first place....
If you want to undermine this whole global control scheme you need to encrypt all traffic at the data link layer of the network model using the physical layer specifically the physical signaling sublayer to decrypt and encrypt all packets. You can absolutely with 100% certainty ensure no middle man spoof the traffic or fuck with it now. Then you double encrypt it using existing stuff at one of the higher layers like using TLS or SSL for example.
The microprocessors have a unique voice just like humans when they transmit data, it is in the pulse coding that is all you need to sign a packet is that unique signature to ensure it.
>>>>>>That the telecoms can even log your metadata should be reason enough to stop using them.
Not to defend, but they have to for billing. Complete migration to VOIP by 2020.
The scarey part is, just like they have access to & can put garbage on your computer, I've been spoofed with my own name & number displaying on CID several times.
A switch (PSN) cannot do that.
Pre-crime. Your number shows on a JPM IT grunt's phone that's been suicided with a Columbian necktie.
Efficent way to rid those whose re-edumakashun would be a futile endeavor.
The NSA will just lease their storage to the telecomunication companies. NSA-Drive.
Duh.
could have written that headline last night. did anyone actually think the patriot act of the older guard wouldn't get replaced by the new guard? New folks in congress means new people need to get in on the act and get their investments tied into the plan so they are guaranteed to make lotsa $$$ and control the power
When the Republicans got control of the Hoozeses i taut there was gunna be a big shake-up. Seems to me it's the same shitshow shake-down.
Boener said he was going to get R v W overturned too! LOL
An act enables controls on the contents of the act. The USA Freedom act enables them to control freedom.
Fuck the senate as well as fuck the NSA.
Ask people you know what they think about this, and they don't. Not they don't care, they are ignorant. If you tell them about it, then they don't care.
Fire them and offer them early social security and a chance to go back to college. Problem solved.
just lol...
FF to the work camps and gulags part of decline.
Thank goodness for people like Rand Paul /s
:-) Bullish! The better Big Brothers can spy on us, the better Big Brothers can help us buy the products they know will make us happy. :-)
Whew. Thank God they passed the USA Freedom Act. I was starting to wonder whether or not we'd ever have freedom.
Just another piece of evidence that Congress cares absolutely nothing about the will of the Amerikan people.
Congress merely does exactly what the oligarchs command.
The equivalent of dropping your britches and hoping it ends as quickly as possible.
Sad days for Amerika. We have been sold out by our so-call "leaders" to the highest bidder.
Why have an expiration on ANY law? Seriously -- it's as stupid as trying to say there's a "debt ceiling."
Thank God the Senate has given us more "freedom", they are patriotic and most likely want to keep their bodily fluids.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktrGDczwkec
some shit, suffice to say just wont wash out.
You know, when I read the hedlines of this article, I have to stop and read further to make sure I understand the headlines. Does the Freedom Act mean that NSA spying is resumed, and thus all our phone conversations are actively monitered by the NSA so that we may be "free" of having to worry about terrorism, or does mean that we are "free" because the NSA has to stop monitoring our calls?
Really gives an indication how everything in this country, especially government spin, has been turned on its head.
Would actually have been pretty interesting if the Senate amended and House had to revote...
A Freedom Act is obviously not about freedom.
nor is the affordable care act about affordable care, nor is the Patriot act about patriotism...etc.
They can't name them what they really are, "We're gonna fuck you real good, and you'll like it act".
John McCain need a checkup from the neck up...and then be escorted to a home....there he can mumble as long as he wants...
(Not so OT:) Edward Snowden's lawyer discourages him to go to Norway to receive the Freedom of Speech Prize of the Norwegian Academy of Literature and Freedom of Speech
Well the name is fitting, its all an Act.
They name bills the exact opposite of what the actual intention is. And if this is not true, maybe they can explain how this one makes me freer. I won't hold my breath. When you see the huge margins this passed by, it qualifies as a bipartisan ass fucking.
They hate us for our "USSA Freedom (Fries) Act"...
They were supposed to roll this little POS into the Caitlyn Jenner Tranny Act and hope no one would notice.
That would have passed unanimously.
Both the Democrats and the Republicans have approved a plan to violate the Constitution in order to put money into the hands of government contractors that reasonably intelligent people can communicate around. They will catch the stupid if they catch anyone.
Both the banksters and war-criminals... fixed for you
on the radio right now... spin spin spinnin' it...
the two faggot senators from - wait for it - idaho...
effing idaho... they voted NO... but say we need a better intrusive surveillance bill... wtf???... how do they talk out of both sides of their mouths, with a big gov dick in it?...
screwed beyond recognition we are...
no where to run, nowhere to hide...
re USSA "Freedom" ACt
Dearly Beloved Brethren,
Our Benevolent , Benificient Benefactors have now seen fit - from the sweat of their loins - to give birth to and bestow !!!FREEDOM!!! upon us!
Rejoice - brothers, sisters & trans-gendered - and be glad of heart- for we are bless-ed and OUR DAY HAS COME!!!
<Congregation arise & respond> HALLELUJAH!!!
No worries.
We can be certain they read it (pressed the icons) b4 passing.
Update: from Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that his administration will quickly resume its domestic surveillance program after Congress passed the USA Freedom Act, a replacement for legislation which expired on Sunday.
"After a needless delay and inexcusable lapse in important national security authorities, my administration will work expeditiously to ensure our national security professionals again have the full set of vital tools they need to continue protecting the country," Obama said in a statement.
See, few airport scams and we are done. LOL
All I want for Christmas is a second passport.
Interesting how accurate was a post I read about 5 months ago questioning sincerity of Mr. Snowden appeal for debate on Hamlet-ian question: to spy or not to spy.
https://contrarianopinion.wordpress.com/2015/01/06/snowden-affair-unaske...
I guest Mr. Snowden got his debate and corrupted congressmen and senators, on orders from NSA , retroactively legalized previously illegal, unconstitutional and treasonous practice of bulk spying on US citizens and additionally indemnified all those who performed, approved and/or supported these criminal activities including highest rank members of US government and IT corporations. If it was not for Mr. Snowden revelations all these criminals would be under threat of prosecution instead of getting license to spy and subvert US constitution at will.
He now can feel that he accomplished something.
It would.be nice Tylers if we could have a list of the senators votes on an individual basis. Im ready to shit someones front porch.
What will happen to Bluffdale? How about turning it into a big data storage facility and renting it out to corporations who need to store big data about their customers' phone conversations?
Mass surveillance on people is a sign of paranoia of the people in power(career politicians).
Whenever it happens (as in East Germany) , it is a sign that either the nation is on brink of failure , or the politicians will be routed , or both.
Why , these bastardPoliticians have forgotton that : PEOPLE ARE THE OWNERS OF THE NATION
"Patriot act" "Freedom Act" - what is it with this Orwellian language? This is basically a slap in the face of the voting sheep while laughing at them.
The whole purpose of this piece of shit legislation is to get it outside the bounds of the Constitution officially and legally. What started as something completely lawless and illegal is now being codified into law. The same thing was done with the NDAA, the Patriot Act and other USA War of Terror laws- including Civil Asset Forfeiture and money laundering laws. The telcos are being used as third parties to hold the data so Third Party Doctrine applies and any challenges won't be protected by the Constitution. At the same time, taxpayer dollars will be used to defend the crony telcos and they're indemnified from their criminal complicity by the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. You know, the law that Obama was against, before he was suddenly for it and voted for it. You can't find a better example of fascism/crony capitalism today. The military industrial surveillance state continues to steamroll over everything and everybody in its path.