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Because visiting the NSA would enlighten him in any way? Critics of the organization would likely be granted zero visibility into their decision making process
by spenvo 11y ago
Because visiting the NSA would enlighten him in any way?
Critics of the organization would likely be granted zero visibility into their decision making process. Just look how they have treated their own high level employees who voiced concern (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Andrews_Drake http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Andrews_Drake).
It would be a waste of a day. Maybe he could have met with Clapper - the man that perjured himself before Congress. Or Keith Alexander - the profiteer who is making millions off surveillance tech he was developing while head of the NSA. ( <-- That's the guy that made policy decisions on how invasive surveillance should be. FML) If the cronies want his ear: they should come to his office.
If anything, a visit to the NSA would bring negative connotations in the public's eye.
- irishcoffee 11y agoKeep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
- meepmorp 11y agoWhat harm is there in hearing what they've got to say? If it's bullshit, then it's bullshit. Refusing to take a day to head down and see their presentation isn't a principled stand, it's being concerned with your brand.
- AnthonyMouse 11y ago> What harm is there in hearing what they've got to say? Having the justification for a program of this nature be a secret is not compatible with democracy. So if they have something to say they should tell it to The Washington Post.
- spenvo 11y agoIf politicians don't care about their brand, they've pursued the wrong career. The visible nature of a visit would be exploited. He'd be painted as guilty by association. Politics is petty... so much so that, in this case, a superPAC-funded negative campaign ad (running 24-7 in battleground states) would say: "Rand Paul visited the NSA 6 times since he's been a Senator, yet he preaches reform. So let's ask you Senator: 'why are you in bed with the NSA?'" Let's keep in mind: there's no way if OP's story or sources are true --- maybe he has met with NSA -- and if he has, I'd hope he wouldn't go around blabbing about it, for the above reason ^^
- meepmorp 11y ago"Senator Rand Paul was invited 6 times to talk to the NSA about its anti-terror data collection programs. 6 times Senator Rand Paul refused to even listen to the patriots working to keep our country safe, yet he claims to know what's best for our national security. Is this someone we can really trust as president?" The bullshit can be written however. If you're taking the subject seriously (and it's a subject that ought to be taken quite seriously), it's your job to hear what the various parties have to say, even if you're sure you won't agree. It's his job as senator.
- krapp 11y ago>So let's ask you Senator: 'why are you in bed with the NSA? Despite what HN believes, the NSA isn't a criminal enterprise, and being associated with it isn't a scandal which would tarnish a presidential candidate to any degree worth being concerned about - associating with the NSA is part of a senator's job. It would definitely be a president's job. What he should be concerned about is giving the appearance of making principled stands based on willful ignorance. If he intends to run the country, he can't simply pretend the parts of the government he doesn't like don't exist.
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- Ironchefpython 11y ago> Despite what HN believes, the NSA isn't a criminal enterprise Just curious, how much of the constitution would the NSA have to violate for you to consider its actions illegal? Maybe if its employees engaged in intimidation of journalists, or lying under oath? Or would they need to burn a flag and strangle a bald eagle?
- krapp 11y ago