Confiscating the Phone Records of US Citizens

[Conan71]

Because they had no idea what it actually was.
Some of those people are in Congress.


As for Snowden, someone who can make $200,000 a year with only a GED must have been doing something right.


We managed to survive greater threats in our history ... than a few disorganized terrorist groups and rogue states without resorting to these sorts of programs.  It is not that I do not value intelligence, but that I oppose ... omniscient, automatic, mass surveillance .... That seems to me a greater threat to the institutions of free society than missed intelligence reports, and unworthy of the costs."

I had read Snowden was a former military officer which means he would have had at least a bachelor's degree if that is correct.

[Vashta Nerada]

I had read Snowden was a former military officer which means he would have had at least a bachelor's degree if that is correct.

He told The Guardian he never received a high school diploma and didn't complete his computer studies at a community college. Instead, he joined the Army in 2003 but was discharged after breaking both legs in a training accident.

Snowden said he later worked as a security guard for the NSA and then took a computer security job with the CIA. He left that job in 2009 and moved on to Booz Allen Hamilton, where he worked as a contractor for the government in Hawaii.

[Conan71]

^^Read that later on.  Sounds like his credentials might be a little confused.  In fact the whole story on him seems odd and confusing.  Guy gets a $200K job, in Hawaii after working for various NSA contractors and the CIA before that, then goes rogue within three months of his new position in paradise??  They said he accessed information well above his security clearance level.  He sounds more and more like a plant to me.

This has brought to light though how big the "Intelligence Industrial Complex" has become.  Booz Allen's primary customer is the U.S. Government to the tune of $5.7 billion last year and almost $12 billion in long-term contracts.  Of particular interest, is the easy exchange between leadership at the NSA to leadership at Booz Allen.  Seems incestuous enough for government work.

Three months ago, consulting mega-firm Booz Allen Hamilton hired 29-year-old Edward Snowden to fill a position in Hawaii. The company reportedly paid him a salary of $200,000 and put the experienced contractor to work at a National Security Agency facility on the islands.

Snowden has since traded one island setting for another, decamping to Hong Kong after blowing the whistle on an NSA program that is thought to have collected vast amounts of phone and Internet data.

Despite his short tenure at Booz Allen, Snowden's decision to expose the surveillance program could mean long-term trouble for the government contractor. The Virginia-based firm, which depends on the U.S. government for a major slice of its revenue, is scrambling to distance itself from Snowden.

"News reports that this individual has claimed to have leaked classified information are shocking, and if accurate, this action represents a grave violation of the code of conduct and core values of our firm," Booz Allen said in a statement issued Sunday night.

The company went on to say that it will work closely with clients and authorities to investigate the matter.

According to The Guardian, Snowden had worked at the NSA for the past four years as an employee of various outside contractors. He previously worked in information technology during a stint at the CIA.

Prism: What the NSA could know about you

Government contracts: Publicly-traded Booz Allen (BAH, Fortune 500) was the 14th largest federal contractor in 2012, winning contracts worth more than $4 billion, according to U.S. government data.

Company filings show that 99% of Booz Allen's revenue comes from various levels of the federal government; the Army, at 16%, was the single biggest source of revenue. Its long-term contracts were worth $11.8 billion as of the end of March.

The company has benefited greatly from a post-9/11 surge in national security and counterterrorism spending. Since the attacks, private contractors have played a growing role in performing duties normally reserved for government employees.

The contractors often work overseas, sometimes in hostile environments, and are privy to the nation's most sensitive secrets.

Booz Allen's focuses on cybersecurity and technical support for government computers and networks. It works not only with defense and intelligence agencies but also the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Management and Budget and the Internal Revenue Service to make sure their computer systems and networks are both secure and efficient.

The company says it has become dependent on the government for its economic well being. "If our relationships with such [U.S. government] agencies are harmed, our future revenue and operating profits would decline," Booz Allen said in a filing.

Related story: What the NSA costs taxpayers

'Top secret' clearances: The upper ranks of executives at Booz Allen reflect the firm's close ties to government, and the revolving door between its executive offices and government.

James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, is a former employee of the firm. And John "Mike" McConnell, vice chairman at Booz Allen, previously held the same post as Clapper and was at Booz Allen when he was named in 2007.

Since he left government and returned to Booz Allen in 2009, McConnell has received total compensation of at least $8.8 million, according to company filings.

The company earned revenue of $5.7 billion during the last fiscal year and has around 24,500 employees, of which 22,000 are considered to be on the consulting staff. Of those, 76% hold government security clearances, with 49% at "top secret" or higher.

Booz Allen laid out the risks associated with those clearances in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

"High-level security clearance generally afford a person access to data that affects national security, counterterrorism or counterintelligence, or other highly sensitive data," the company said. "Persons with the highest security clearance, Top Secret, have access to information that would cause exceptionally grave damage to national security if disclosed to the public."

Critics say that the outsourcing of national security activities to contractors makes the government more susceptible to leaks, especially as the security apparatus grows in size and sophistication.

[Gaspar]

Anyone who hires high level technical people knows that typically a diploma only indicates that the person is somewhat trainable.  It does not have any bearing on skill.  Some of the best programmers I know were never trained in their vocation through any sort of 4 year program, and many that have are lackluster at best.  For an analyst/developer, how you think is more important than what you know.

If the kid had mad skills and the military intelligence community recognized that, they would naturally want to develop those.  Unfortunately developers are a dime a dozen in the private sector, but GOOD developers with analyst skills and the ability to visualize data are very rare.  Most have realized that they can do contract work and make a lot of money without answering to bosses or sitting in an office all day.  For a company to keep one of these skilled individuals, it is necessary to pay them top dollar, otherwise the independence and profitability of contract work is just too strong.  $200K is not an outrageous salary for a someone like this with military security clearance.

So, lets speculate. . .
We know the kid is bright and has some clandestine ops exposure.  We also know that this entire leak and the subsequent interview was planned.  Because of his vocation, he is used to planning, mapping and visualizing very complex scenarios, therefore, I am willing to bet that he was never in Hong Kong.  I am also willing to bet that the interview with the reporter took place prior to the information on civilian surveillance being released to the Guardian.  Otherwise the reporter(s), and any support individuals who have contact with him would be surveilled.  I would also assume that there are additional interviews and perhaps leaks that have already been prepared, and will be released to coincide with reaction/action on the issues.

The libertarian community and other international socially liberal groups will tend to support his actions, so he won't have to look very far for a support network.  I'm sure the powers that be will also attempt to use those groups to trap him.  As for his future, the movie will be fabulous. If he can escape extradition he will be, and is already becoming, an international celebrity.

I could be wrong, but when playing hide-and-go-seek, it is typically not a good idea to telegraph your location, unless you can throw your voice.
If I were him, I would probably be in a European country where I could easily blend in.  I woud choose one with lots of rail travel across borders, support for my cause, and easily bribable officials.  I think I would be in Eastern Europe and/or Russia.

[Gaspar]

There have been no charges levied against Snoden yet.  I am hopeful that the president will use this opportunity to stand up for what he claimed he believed in back in 2008 when he was working so hard for your vote.

From the Obama-Biden website in 2008:
"Often the best source of information about waste, fraud, and abuse in government is an existing government employee committed to public integrity and willing to speak out. Such acts of courage and patriotism, which can sometimes save lives and often save taxpayer dollars, should be encouraged rather than stifled as they have been during the Bush administration. We need to empower federal employees as watchdogs of wrongdoing and partners in performance. will strengthen whistleblower laws to protect federal workers who expose waste, fraud, and abuse of authority in government."

Since the president chose to expand the drastic policies of Bush instead of eliminating them, this is one of those rare instances when opportunity actually knocks twice!
Will he answer?
Will you hold him to his pledge?

[BKDotCom]

There have been no charges levied against Snoden yet.  I am hopeful that the president will use this opportunity to stand up for what he claimed he believed in back in 2008 when he was working so hard for your vote.

the keyword is "yet".
here's the petition to make the office of the president address the issue.  (half way there)
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/pardon-edward-snowden/Dp03vGYD

[Gaspar]

the keyword is "yet".
here's the petition to make the office of the president address the issue.  (half way there)
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/pardon-edward-snowden/Dp03vGYD

Don't know about the term "national hero," but he does fall into the exact category that then candidate Obama recognized.  As a military officer, Snowden was trained to defend the constitution of the United States.  It seems that he was doing just that, which does not make him a hero, it simply makes him honest.

Perhaps the president could do the same.

[JCnOwasso]

Don't know about the term "national hero," but he does fall into the exact category that then candidate Obama recognized.  As a military officer, Snowden was trained to defend the constitution of the United States.  It seems that he was doing just that, which does not make him a hero, it simply makes him honest.

Perhaps the president could do the same.

He was not an officer.  He enlisted in 2003, he is 29 today... meaning he would have been 18 or 19 upon enlistement.  And just because you take an oath to defend the constitution of the United States, doesn't mean he was fully trained in how to do that. 

I don't believe it makes him Honest, either.  He had to have an Non disclosure agreement of some variety, which means he signed that he would keep secret what he came across.  He had to have known that being involved with one of these agencies would meant he was going to do things that most people couldn't stomach.

[Gaspar]

He was not an officer.  He enlisted in 2003, he is 29 today... meaning he would have been 18 or 19 upon enlistement.  And just because you take an oath to defend the constitution of the United States, doesn't mean he was fully trained in how to do that. 

I don't believe it makes him Honest, either.  He had to have an Non disclosure agreement of some variety, which means he signed that he would keep secret what he came across.  He had to have known that being involved with one of these agencies would meant he was going to do things that most people couldn't stomach.

I think that no matter what branch of government you are in, or in what capacity, you should be not only free, but expected to report corruption, violations of the law, human rights, and most certainly constitution you are bound to protect.  A government that fears it's own people is the best government.  As candidate Obama said: Often the best source of information about waste, fraud, and abuse in government is an existing government employee committed to public integrity and willing to speak out. Such acts of courage and patriotism, which can sometimes save lives and often save taxpayer dollars, should be encouraged rather than stifled.

We can't afford to have the people live in fear of government.  When politicians justify intrusion, and the violation of your rights, they acknowledge that your rights are less important then their goals.  If you allow them to subjugate one of your constitutional rights, you make it easier for them to do the same with the others.  The constitution is not immune to rust.

It is better, so the Fourth Amendment teaches us, that the guilty sometimes go free than the citizens be subject to easy arrest. – William O. Douglas

When they took the 4th Amendment, I was quiet because I didn't deal drugs.
When they took the 6th Amendment, I was quiet because I am innocent.
When they took the 2nd Amendment, I was quiet because I don't own a gun.
Now they have taken the 1st Amendment, and I can only be quiet. – Lyle Myhr

The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government – lest it come to dominate our lives and interests. – Patrick Henry

The strength of the Constitution, lies in the will of the people to defend it. – Thomas Edison

"I, [name], do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

[Gaspar]

VP Biden has been rather silent on this.  I wonder why?  Oh yeah, this is how he felt when Bush was spying on 2 million Americans making phone calls to known terrorists.

[JCnOwasso]

Respectfully, he was not a Government employee.  He was a contractor.  He does not know what happens with the information he is paid to retreive.  He is not privvy to the intent or purpose behind information being sought.  If he wants to report fraud, waste and abuse inside his own company and how they are doing something illegal or unethical within the bounds of their contract, then he should be protected by the whistleblower act.  He is not.  He is taking a small portion of the picture and making up the rest of what is going on, and pointing the finger directly at the Government.

I am not saying that I agree with the whole wire tapping thing.  I didn't much like it when Bush did it and I don't much like it now.  However, I understand that if lives can be saved by intercepting information about an upcoming terrorist attack, I would be more ticked off to find out we had the ability to stop it but didn't because they didn't want to tap phones or pull records. 

People are data mined every day, cell phone companies, email providers, websites.  If you want to live in fear, live in fear that, regardless of what the Government does, your information is still being gathered.  As long as you are not doing drug deals over email, trading kiddy porn or plotting a terrorist attack, I am pretty sure they won't care what they heck you are saying.  I am almost willing to say that they are keying in on certain phrases that are common with Terrorism.     

[BKDotCom]

People are data mined every day, cell phone companies, email providers, websites.  If you want to live in fear, live in fear that, regardless of what the Government does, your information is still being gathered.  As long as you are not doing drug deals over email, trading kiddy porn or plotting a terrorist attack, I am pretty sure they won't care what they heck you are saying.  I am almost willing to say that they are keying in on certain phrases that are common with Terrorism.      

It's one thing for private companies to do it...  
Private companies:
a)  we know they do it... it's in all those terms and conditions you agree to
b)  they're subject to regulation and monitored.. can only use it in certain ways, etc...

Big Brother:
where's the oversight?
what are they doing with it?
we all pretty much knew they were doing it.. but it's all super secret classified stuff
who has access to it (apparently any schmo contractor)

If ever they're a debate/topic that's eligible for the "slippery slope" argument...
This one is it.

[heironymouspasparagus]

I am almost willing to say that they are keying in on certain phrases that are common with Terrorism.     

I bet we hit all those around here....

[heironymouspasparagus]

I think that no matter what branch of government you are in, or in what capacity, you should be not only free, but expected to report corruption, violations of the law, human rights, and most certainly constitution you are bound to protect.  A government that fears it's own people is the best government. 

The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government – lest it come to dominate our lives and interests. – Patrick Henry

The strength of the Constitution, lies in the will of the people to defend it. – Thomas Edison

Everybody's gotta have a dream....that whole thing disappeared a long time ago....way before my time or anyone else alive today.

[BKDotCom]

Bruce Schneier's post today is quite good:

https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2013/06/prosecuting_sno.html?rss=1