We spy on everyone because.. Can anyone come up with a good reason why our government has to spy on EVERYONE? Is this because of the STUPID war against terrorism? If so, is it worth...

straightUp Loc: California

Can anyone come up with a good reason why our government has to spy on EVERYONE? Is this because of the STUPID war against terrorism? If so, is it worth loosing the trust of our allies?

World leaders all over the world are just finding out that the NSA has been spying on them and their citizens for years. Not exactly a gesture of friendship and trust. More like a gesture of global totalitarianism on the make. So... I'm relying on the conservatives on this site who have always been advocates of our behavior on the international stage to explain WHY this sort of eves-dropping is so damned necessary.

http://www.businessinsider.com/european-leaders-say-latest-spying-revelations-have-destroyed-their-trust-in-the-us-government-2013-10

rhomin57 Loc: Far Northern CA.

It is necessary, and I'm a Republican. Spying is no new thing straightup, and you know this. Long ago it was simply people that wormed their way into other Govts to steal their info. Agents, double Agents, etc. That wasn't just Hollywood, that was a reality. Spying has gone on for millinneums and the tools available for that time were used. Technology has made for many various methods to spy, high-tech ways. The Feds, CIA, NSA receive info all day long of possible threats to America that have to be followed up on. Sometimes they can foil a plot, sometimes not like the marathon bombing.
Remember how the Japanese were placed in camps during WWII, at that time and year, that was the only way, the only method available to be sure that inside spies weren't giving the Japanese information. It is a matter of keeping each and every citizen, from newborn to centurion, safe.

straightUp wrote:

Can anyone come up with a good reason why our gove... (show quote)

boofhead

rhomin57 wrote:

It is necessary, and I'm a Republican. Spying is n... (show quote)

We went mad after 9/11 and put in the insane Patriot Act, Homeland Security, TSA etc etc and now the system is so big it drives itself. It has never foiled a plot (those shown as successful were invariably setups). Spying is just a part of the insanity. Especially spying on our allies.

bmac32 Loc: West Florida

This is just another thing that Obama and his people have their hands in where they screw everything up. Isolationism at it's finest!

straightUp wrote:

Can anyone come up with a good reason why our gove... (show quote)

Voice of Reason Loc: Earth

straightUp wrote:

Can anyone come up with a good reason why our gove... (show quote)

It's not necessary or wise. It reflects the personality of our narcissistic, paranoid president.

bmac32 Loc: West Florida

Only Obama could screw things up this bad. Takes a WORKING program and breaks it.

Voice of Reason wrote:

It's not necessary or wise. It reflects the personality of our narcissistic, paranoid president.

Voice of Reason Loc: Earth

bmac32 wrote:

Only Obama could screw things up this bad. Takes a WORKING program and breaks it.

Yup, even the Saudi's are against us now...

Still, that's nothing compared to healthcare, check this out:
http://themattwalshblog.com/2013/10/21/the-definitive-guide-to-how-obamacare-is-destroying-american-lives/

straightUp Loc: California

rhomin57 wrote:

It is necessary, and I'm a Republican.

Is that supposed to be ironic? ;)

rhomin57 wrote:

br Spying is no new thing straightup, and you kno... (show quote)

That treatment of Japanese-Americans happened during a time of full-scale war and even then I think it was way beyond reason but I do understand your point. On one hand, spying DOES improve our ability to thwart dangerous plots against... well, whomever it is the government is protecting. (not sure if it's us necessarily). But on the other hand, there ARE consequences, such as a loss of trust among our allies and a growing resentment among the people outside AND inside the U.S.

I think we have reached a point where we can no longer call ourselves the land of the brave, if indeed we are so frightened of being attacked that we are willing to submit ourselves and everyone else to constant surveillance and control.

I submit that danger IS the price of a free society.

straightUp Loc: California

boofhead wrote:

We went mad after 9/11 and put in the insane Patriot Act, Homeland Security, TSA etc etc and now the system is so big it drives itself. It has never foiled a plot (those shown as successful were invariably setups). Spying is just a part of the insanity. Especially spying on our allies.

I agree. I mean, rhomin57 was right in saying that spying is nothing new. But I think you're right in saying that we've gone too far with it.

bmac32 Loc: West Florida

I heard today it was 30 some nations that want to know why.

Voice of Reason wrote:

Yup, even the Saudi's are against us now...

Still, that's nothing compared to healthcare, check this out:
http://themattwalshblog.com/2013/10/21/the-definitive-guide-to-how-obamacare-is-destroying-american-lives/

straightUp Loc: California

boofhead wrote:

We went mad after 9/11 and put in the insane Patriot Act, Homeland Security, TSA etc etc and now the system is so big it drives itself. It has never foiled a plot (those shown as successful were invariably setups). Spying is just a part of the insanity. Especially spying on our allies.

I agree. I mean, rhomin57 was right in saying that spying is nothing new. But I think you're right in saying that we've gone too far with it.

Besides, I don't think we should be so willing to alienate the Europeans at a time when global tensions are rising and the U.S. is already losing so much credibility.

straightUp Loc: California

Voice of Reason wrote:

It's not necessary or wise. It reflects the personality of our narcissistic, paranoid president.

Which of course explains why this has been going on long before Obama came to office. :roll:

straightUp Loc: California

bmac32 wrote:

Only Obama could screw things up this bad. Takes a WORKING program and breaks it.

LOL - nothing worse than breaking a perfectly good system of dishonesty.

Actually, I think it has far more to do with Snowdon than Obama. Bush was just fortunate not to have such a loud whistleblower.

bmac32 Loc: West Florida

For me this falls right in line with Obama thinking, king or the new world order.

straightUp wrote:

I agree. I mean, rhomin57 was right in saying that spying is nothing new. But I think you're right in saying that we've gone too far with it.

Besides, I don't think we should be so willing to alienate the Europeans at a time when global tensions are rising and the U.S. is already losing so much credibility.

straightUp Loc: California

Voice of Reason wrote:

Yup, even the Saudi's are against us now...

Still, that's nothing compared to healthcare, check this out:
http://themattwalshblog.com/2013/10/21/the-definitive-guide-to-how-obamacare-is-destroying-american-lives/

How about starting a new thread for that one? I'd prefer this thread not be hi-jacked.