From Obama to Trump to Biden: The surveillance state that never sleeps. Our government's surveillance apparatus has routinely expanded to target U.S. citizens, regardless of which party controls the White House.
I would go further and add to your excellent solutions that citizens must be informed of the search warrant so citizens know it is happening to them. Also, I disagree with exceptions for emergencies. I feel to always acquire a warrant lawfully and expeditiously, but no exceptions, because it will be abused if there is a loophole.
I agree! It’s nearly laughable that one could go on this way pointing out all the abuses and ways “officials” sidestep what little guardrails exists, then go on to suggest “except for emergency situations”!!!
WTHF!!!! It’s always national defense OR counterterrorism OR drug cases OR fill in the fuckin blank!!! My GOD, if those seeking to persecute and prosecute are so damned inclined to find all the lawbreakers of this fallen world why not first take a peak in the mirror and while you’re at it, do your fuckin job like a grown ass man and find evidence without shitting on the very instrument that affords you such powers… the U.S. constitution. “Emergency situations” are at the very basis for the beginnings of such corruption. Some would say 9/11 is when government FIRST started its assault on our civil liberties. WRONG!! That’s when it was “officially” started. This surveillance state is rooted in hostile viewpoints toward privacy that predate my parents’ birth. But yea, I’m prolly just some dumb conspiracy theorist.
A lot of this has been going on for the better part of 25 years now. Many of these issues are things Snowden raised awareness of and is still being treated like a criminal over bringing to light. Until the US Congress votes not to renew the Patriot Act (seemingly the only thing that gets bipartisan support there) we should expect authorities will continue to be allowed subvert the Constitution for reasons of "safety & security" with little to no oversight.
Thank you for this thoughtful article! My name is on one of the 278,000 FISA warrants. My life has been torn apart since April 2021, when I reported criminal activity and someone added me to category 3 of the Terrorist Screening Database. I have no criminal record, I was a respected member of my community, and I was hardworking and church going. The abuses perpetrated against me since then would shock you. I am far from the only one.
So of course FISA has been subverted by the government but now any billionaire can have access to all our data by helping elect a president and they don't need to be elected or be part of the government. This completely negates any discussion on access by government!
I would go further and add to your excellent solutions that citizens must be informed of the search warrant so citizens know it is happening to them. Also, I disagree with exceptions for emergencies. I feel to always acquire a warrant lawfully and expeditiously, but no exceptions, because it will be abused if there is a loophole.
Good point! The only way that a citizen can defend her rights is to know that she has been surveilled.
I agree! It’s nearly laughable that one could go on this way pointing out all the abuses and ways “officials” sidestep what little guardrails exists, then go on to suggest “except for emergency situations”!!!
WTHF!!!! It’s always national defense OR counterterrorism OR drug cases OR fill in the fuckin blank!!! My GOD, if those seeking to persecute and prosecute are so damned inclined to find all the lawbreakers of this fallen world why not first take a peak in the mirror and while you’re at it, do your fuckin job like a grown ass man and find evidence without shitting on the very instrument that affords you such powers… the U.S. constitution. “Emergency situations” are at the very basis for the beginnings of such corruption. Some would say 9/11 is when government FIRST started its assault on our civil liberties. WRONG!! That’s when it was “officially” started. This surveillance state is rooted in hostile viewpoints toward privacy that predate my parents’ birth. But yea, I’m prolly just some dumb conspiracy theorist.
Agreed
A lot of this has been going on for the better part of 25 years now. Many of these issues are things Snowden raised awareness of and is still being treated like a criminal over bringing to light. Until the US Congress votes not to renew the Patriot Act (seemingly the only thing that gets bipartisan support there) we should expect authorities will continue to be allowed subvert the Constitution for reasons of "safety & security" with little to no oversight.
Definitely. It's up for renewal next year, and I'm keeping an eye out for a bill. Call your congressional rep in the meantime.
Thank you for this thoughtful article! My name is on one of the 278,000 FISA warrants. My life has been torn apart since April 2021, when I reported criminal activity and someone added me to category 3 of the Terrorist Screening Database. I have no criminal record, I was a respected member of my community, and I was hardworking and church going. The abuses perpetrated against me since then would shock you. I am far from the only one.
Targetedjustice.com
Targetedjustice.dubstack.com
I'm so sorry, Jill. I would love to learn about your story.
So of course FISA has been subverted by the government but now any billionaire can have access to all our data by helping elect a president and they don't need to be elected or be part of the government. This completely negates any discussion on access by government!
If only they could act in unison in areas of agreement.
Yes, it's almost like they choose not to. We have to hold them to it.
The federal government has no business doing any of these things. Close those agencies. Return power to the states.
Exactly. It's given beaurocrats and intelligence agencies way too much power. The lack of true oversight Almost begs for overreach. This needs to end.