5 ms·

The issue I have with that is as it stands right now how would any know if this is true or not? The NSA and FBI can effectively keep things secret as they don'

The issue I have with that is as it stands right now how would any know if this is true or not? The NSA and FBI can effectively keep things secret as they don't have to disclose all that they are doing.

tptacek 15y ago
We might as well not discuss at all then, right? How can anyone prove the negative?
- burgerbrain 15y ago
  Not all discussion needs to adhere to strict logic and proof. It's called speculation, and silencing it is not acceptable.
InclinedPlane 15y ago
The truth is that US citizens are being detained by our government and jailed in a space station (codenamed "Camp RT") orbiting the Sun between Earth and Mars.
- burgerbrain 15y ago
  The US DoD acknowledged fact is that American Citizens have been illegally^ detained, in some cases in Gitmo. This assertion that it somehow matters that they weren't kidnapped while currently in the US is puzzling to say the least. ^They don't admit this part for obvious reasons. And they also say waterboarding isn't torture...
  - InclinedPlane 15y ago
    I was responding to the ridiculousness of the argument put forward, which attempted to prove a point by noting that you can't prove a negative. I even left some hints: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russells_teapot http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russells_teapot
    - burgerbrain 15y ago
      Upon rereading his comment, it still does not appear to me as though he is attempting to prove anything. He is merely displaying a healthy suspicion of something which, unlike Russell's Teapot, is fairly plausible. Furthermore, his point is logically sound: In a world where governments are permitted to keep secrets, they are effectively able to keep secret what they are keeping secret, by simple induction.
      - tptacek 15y ago
        It appears as if you are irritated that I am not open to using an article about FBI telemetry devices as a fig leaf for discussing Guantanamo Bay.
        burgerbrain 15y ago
        Your assessment appears to be inaccurate.

tptacek 15y ago

We might as well not discuss at all then, right? How can anyone prove the negative?

burgerbrain 15y ago
Not all discussion needs to adhere to strict logic and proof. It's called speculation, and silencing it is not acceptable.

InclinedPlane 15y ago

The truth is that US citizens are being detained by our government and jailed in a space station (codenamed "Camp RT") orbiting the Sun between Earth and Mars.

burgerbrain 15y ago
The US DoD acknowledged fact is that American Citizens have been illegally^ detained, in some cases in Gitmo. This assertion that it somehow matters that they weren't kidnapped while currently in the US is puzzling to say the least. ^They don't admit this part for obvious reasons. And they also say waterboarding isn't torture...
- InclinedPlane 15y ago
  I was responding to the ridiculousness of the argument put forward, which attempted to prove a point by noting that you can't prove a negative. I even left some hints: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russells_teapot http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russells_teapot
  - burgerbrain 15y ago
    Upon rereading his comment, it still does not appear to me as though he is attempting to prove anything. He is merely displaying a healthy suspicion of something which, unlike Russell's Teapot, is fairly plausible. Furthermore, his point is logically sound: In a world where governments are permitted to keep secrets, they are effectively able to keep secret what they are keeping secret, by simple induction.
    - tptacek 15y ago
      It appears as if you are irritated that I am not open to using an article about FBI telemetry devices as a fig leaf for discussing Guantanamo Bay.
      - burgerbrain 15y ago
        Your assessment appears to be inaccurate.