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I can't think of a single thing the government has done in the name of surveillance and security that have actually helped catch any terrorists. All those body

I can't think of a single thing the government has done in the name of surveillance and security that have actually helped catch any terrorists. All those body scanners at airports? How many terrorists have they managed to catch? (Meanwhile, TSA agents steal items from baggage all the time) If all that surveillance couldn't catch the school shooters, the Boston bombers and this couple, is the only solution even MORE surveillance?

Demiurge 11y ago
Do you think they would actually be doing a good job if you (public) knew about the instances surveillance helped? If you were tasked with catching terrorist, what would you do?
- merpnderp 11y ago
  Yes, if the TSA had stopped a single terrorist, they'd be at least stating a number, if not the facts. Given they won't even give a ball park number is pretty good evidence it is a big fat zero like all the investigative journalism has found. Not like organizations like the TSA can keep a secret.
  - Demiurge 11y ago
    Why would they be stating the number? How can they know if they intimidated or prevented attacks by mere existence? Statistically, mere police patrol presence reduces crime, which is not directly related to detective work. But, TSA is kind of parallel to surveillance, my question was about whether we could possible judge the success of that, and other intelligence in the most secretive of government operations.
merpnderp 11y ago
A simple gloss of the shooter's Facebook would have showed a rabid sympathizer for anti-American terrorists and a strong support of violence against civilians. The FBI can' be assed to check Facebook, but they want access to all our encryption to stop terrorists? And the Boston bombers had been specifically pointed out to US law enforcement by more than one foreign intelligence agency, and they made no move to stop them. Saying they need more power to surveil us is just ludicrous given they ignore in your face public data, or credible tips already.
MrTonyD 11y ago
I think the biggest problem is that the USA seems to be in the business of creating terrorists. We send troops all over the world and undermine governments - even the US diplomats say that they are responsible for US "economic interests". That value system is creating this unstable world.

Demiurge 11y ago

Do you think they would actually be doing a good job if you (public) knew about the instances surveillance helped? If you were tasked with catching terrorist, what would you do?

merpnderp 11y ago
Yes, if the TSA had stopped a single terrorist, they'd be at least stating a number, if not the facts. Given they won't even give a ball park number is pretty good evidence it is a big fat zero like all the investigative journalism has found. Not like organizations like the TSA can keep a secret.
- Demiurge 11y ago
  Why would they be stating the number? How can they know if they intimidated or prevented attacks by mere existence? Statistically, mere police patrol presence reduces crime, which is not directly related to detective work. But, TSA is kind of parallel to surveillance, my question was about whether we could possible judge the success of that, and other intelligence in the most secretive of government operations.

merpnderp 11y ago

A simple gloss of the shooter's Facebook would have showed a rabid sympathizer for anti-American terrorists and a strong support of violence against civilians. The FBI can' be assed to check Facebook, but they want access to all our encryption to stop terrorists? And the Boston bombers had been specifically pointed out to US law enforcement by more than one foreign intelligence agency, and they made no move to stop them. Saying they need more power to surveil us is just ludicrous given they ignore in your face public data, or credible tips already.

MrTonyD 11y ago

I think the biggest problem is that the USA seems to be in the business of creating terrorists. We send troops all over the world and undermine governments - even the US diplomats say that they are responsible for US "economic interests". That value system is creating this unstable world.