NSA tracking all Internet traffic

[Computer Hope Admin]

Fascinating video on Nightline about how the NSA is tracking all Internet traffic, domestic and overseas.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2930944

[quaxo]

[michaewlewis]

I don't really care if the NSA is monitoring everyone's internet activity. If it helps them get the bad guys and keep us safe, then more power to them.

[Computer Hope Admin]

I don't really care if the NSA is monitoring everyone's internet activity. If it helps them get the bad guys and keep us safe, then more power to them.

That's exactly what they want for you to believe. However, without probable cause there is *absolutely* no reason any government should be monitoring you or any other U.S. citizen, which is exactly why this is mentioned in the constitution. Just because there could be supposed terrorist or other types of threats doesn't mean you should be giving up your rights and privacy.

They can just as easily monitor Internet traffic coming into the United States or traffic going *outside* the United States. As the video mentioned NSA should only be monitoring foreign traffic and NOT domestic.

[KenJackson]

I have very mixed emotions about this topic.

OTOH, I want them to have the tools they need to catch every stinking, murdering al Qaeda scum on earth.  If we don't stop them, Satan's army will strike again.

But OTOH, the power to secretly monitor the citizens is surely a very corrosive and corrupting thing.  Who's watching the watchers?

[quaxo]

Not directed at anyone, just a reminder to future posters who reply:
This is a very political topic on which many people will have different opinions. Please be respectful of other people's thoughts. Please don't let this descend into an argument. 

I agree with KenJackson in a way. First and foremost, we must protect the rights of the people and uphold the Constitution of the United States. At the same time, the government must take some measures to protect the people, but I feel this should be done openly, not in secret as it seems was done with this.

But Nathan also makes a good point. No government should disregard the rights of its citizens. There are other ways to accomplish the same goal which would be less violating of the rights granted to us.

[!~*:.Pink Floyd.:*~!]

They cant track everyone

[michaewlewis]

They cant track everyone

true, and face it, 99% of american lives just aren't interesting enough for even a lazy/stupid/bored nsa agent to spy on. The only people they are tracking are probably convicts, stars, government employees (probably only a handful), and known/suspected terrorists.

[macdad-]

i think they should just track internet traffic going out of the country. thats the real threat(terrorism)

[drmsucks]

I don't really care if the NSA is monitoring everyone's internet activity. If it helps them get the bad guys and keep us safe, then more power to them.

That's exactly what they want for you to believe. However, without probable cause there is *absolutely* no reason any government should be monitoring you or any other U.S. citizen, which is exactly why this is mentioned in the constitution. Just because there could be supposed terrorist or other types of threats doesn't mean you should be giving up your rights and privacy.

They can just as easily monitor Internet traffic coming into the United States or traffic going *outside* the United States. As the video mentioned NSA should only be monitoring foreign traffic and NOT domestic.

Well said - I agree 100%.

[drmsucks]

i think they should just track internet traffic going out of the country. thats the real threat(terrorism)

That's ridiculous, quite frankly. A terrorist cell in Detroit and a terrorist cell in LA are quite likely to communicate via the internet. But, the threat posed by the groups in LA and Detroit DOES NOT give the government probable cause to monitor ME.

[macdad-]

yea the should be screening these calls but the NSA is going a bit to extreme, dont yea think?   

[Computer Hope Admin]

I don't disagree that there can be terrorist activities in the United States but the NSA is an agency who's supposed to be monitoring foreign traffic it's the FBI's job to do domestic (I believe).

See if you're a terrorist:

http://www.superspyomatic.us/

[drmsucks]

I don't disagree that there can be terrorist activities in the United States but the NSA is an agency who's supposed to be monitoring foreign traffic it's the FBI's job to do domestic (I believe).

I already agreed with you above - the NSA has no business monitoring me (and, maybe you ). Period.

In my post responding to macdad, I was merely reacting to the assertion that the "real threat" is "internet traffic going out of the country." I find that statement without merit - separate issue from WHO has the right to monitor WHOM. Heretofore, the NSA's stated mission excluded 'spying' domestically. If, in fact, the mission has been changed to now include domestic spying on U.S. citizens, then I think that is an abridgement of our rights. ...but, they didn't ask me.

Thanks for the spy link - I should have known:


[recovering disk space -- attachment deleted by admin]

[drmsucks]

yea the should be screening these calls but the NSA is going a bit to extreme, dont yea think?   

Sorry for the strong language - I personaly believe that the federal government ought to: a) deliver the mail and b) provide for the common defense. Period.