US Spy Programs

[Red Sun]

I was having a discussion with a friend about the NSA spy programs, and I was talking about how in the past this kind of stuff has constantly been used against the people. I was wondering if anyone could point me to any good articles that provide more evidence of the negative effects of US spying and provide some more specific examples. Also, does anyone here think that people are somehow "blowing this out of proportion" just because "everyone already new this was going on."

[Marshal of the People]

I was having a discussion with a friend about the NSA spy programs, and I was talking about how in the past this kind of stuff has constantly been used against the people. I was wondering if anyone could point me to any good articles that provide more evidence of the negative effects of US spying and provide some more specific examples. Also, does anyone here think that people are somehow "blowing this out of proportion" just because "everyone already new this was going on."

All espionage and intelligence can be used against the people, some of the negative effects could be lack of and invasion of privacy, being arrested because you said something wrong or knew certain people and the US blackmailing you (or your country) to do something. I think most people knew this was going on though not on a scale this huge (Even I was surprised).

[Red Sun]

Yeah, one of the things that I sort of wanted to bring up to him was the fact that this kind of thing has been used in the past to suppress social movements and socialists. However, seeing as he is not a socialist, I wasn't sure if putting it in those terms would put him off. If I can find more evidence it will be more convincing.

[Marshal of the People]

Yeah, one of the things that I sort of wanted to bring up to him was the fact that this kind of thing has been used in the past to suppress social movements and socialists. However, seeing as he is not a socialist, I wasn't sure if putting it in those terms would put him off. If I can find more evidence it will be more convincing.

The thing which is even more scary is that it can suppress any movement, any idea, any group of people and anything you say or do. I'm also worried about the PIPA and SOPA ideas I hate them but now we have to worry about TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership).

[Remus Bleys]

The thing which is even more scary is that it can suppress any movement, any idea, any group of people and anything you say or do.
Kronstadt.

[Red Sun]

Kronstadt.
Isn't that more to do with military suppression than spying and surveillance? Although I suppose the two are pretty closely connected in a lot of ways. Also, that's probably not the best example to convince a non-socialist that American spying is a problem.

[argeiphontes]

A good example is COINTELPRO (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COINTELPRO).

I don't think anything is being taken out of proportion, though. The amount of spying on people should be zero.

[Red Sun]

I don't think anything is being taken out of proportion, though. The amount of spying on people should be zero.
I totally agree. I was just paraphrasing some of the things my friend said. Though he does seem kind of uncertain about the issue, since he also said he did oppose the NSA spying, but he doesn't think it's an inherently bad thing?

Also, thanks for the example. I've heard that term before, but haven't known a whole lot about it.

[Zealot]

US spying has happened in the past but not on the same level that it is today. The electronic age has made intelligence-gathering a whole lot more easier and efficient. The bourgeoisie continue to bang on about citizens spying on each other in East Germany when the reality is that the US has a much worse spy network and simply has no need for such outdated tactics. Information is collected on people all around the world and stored in massive databanks, which can be accessed at any time. So while they don't necessarily care about every little thing individual citizens do, if they suspect you of something they can simply pull up a massive profile of you based on information gathered in the past 5-10 years and stored in those databanks. Not only that but they can create a huge profile of your associates and their associates using this data to create a massive tree of information. They can figure out who you talk to, what your interests are, what your dislikes are, your favourite porn sites, your ambitions in life, and on and on - things that even the Stasi were never capable of. They don't need to bother wasting their time obtaining warrants to bug your phone or whatnot - they just do a 'google search' of their databanks and have readymade transcripts of your phone conversations, emails, and whatever else they want.

[synthesis]

US spying has happened in the past but not on the same level that it is today. The electronic age has made intelligence-gathering a whole lot more easier and efficient.

Yeah, the difference being that intelligence agencies used to have to work for that information. These days we hand it to them on a silver platter.