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>some intelligence practices remain so secret, even from members of Congress, that there is no opportunity for our democracy to change them. This should never
by unclebucknasty 12y ago
>some intelligence practices remain so secret, even from members of Congress, that there is no opportunity for our democracy to change them.
This should never happen. Period. Who makes the decision that the people's representatives no longer have the authority to oversee what the people's government is doing? And, when this happens, whose interests are being served?
At a minimum, there should be some group in Congress with the clearance required to be privy to all activities. Anything less and we are, effectively, institutionalizing a dangerous discretionary approach to Constitutional protections and relegating the integrtity of our freedoms to the hope that other Snowdens will sacrifice and step forward to "break the law" should the need arise.
Not a good look for democracy.
- csandreasen 12y ago> At a minimum, there should be some group in Congress with the clearance required to be privy to all activities. There are - in particular, the House and Senate Intelligence Committees and Judicial Committees. In fact, with regards to certain programs, the NSA has given briefings open to the entire Congress. The problem is that half of Congress doesn't bother to show up. https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/305765-senators-skip-classified-briefing-on-nsa-snooping-to-catch-flights-home https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/305765-senators-skip-cla... http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/patriot-act-architect-cries-foul-nsa-progr http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/patriot-act-architect-cries-foul-... http://www.emptywheel.net/2013/06/06/jim-sensenbrenners-horseshit-claims-of-innocence/ http://www.emptywheel.net/2013/06/06/jim-sensenbrenners-hors... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/11/harry-reid-nsa_n_3423393.html?utm_hp_ref=politics http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/11/harry-reid-nsa_n_34...
- unclebucknasty 12y agoYet, this article states that some practices remain secret, even from Congress. Do you know why there is inconsistency between this claim and the claim you're making?