NSA spying on reporters - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

charlie7 · #1 01-05-2006, 11:19 AM

NBC has acknowledged that they have information to suggest that Bush may have spied (be spying) on CNN's Christiane Amanpour and that NBC is currently investigating that very possibility. This isn't just conjecture anymore, NBC has confirmed it.

Jim H · #2 01-05-2006, 11:49 AM

Quote:

NBC has acknowledged that they have information to suggest...

...NBC is currently investigating that very possibility.

This isn't just conjecture anymore.

Which one does not belong?

Botnst · #3 01-05-2006, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie7

NBC has acknowledged that they have information to suggest that Bush may have spied (be spying) on CNN's Christiane Amanpour and that NBC is currently investigating that very possibility. This isn't just conjecture anymore, NBC has confirmed it.

What is Amanpour's citizenship?

crash9 · #4 01-05-2006, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

What is Amanpour's citizenship?

I think English - these were her comments a couple of years ago about pressure on the press

"During a CNBC conversation with Tina Brown, Amanpour said:

“Yes. I think the press was muzzled and I think the press self-muzzled. I'm sorry to say but certainly television and, perhaps, to a certain extent, my station was intimidated by the administration and its foot soldiers at Fox News. And it did, in fact, put a climate of fear and self-censorship, in my view, in terms of--of the kind of broadcast work we did. I mean, all of us should have...”

Before we continue with her quote, look at the word: fear. A climate of fear. People in the press – even this top reporter at CNN – feel afraid to report the truth. Is this America or the old Soviet Union? She continued. Tina Brown asked her if she meant there was a particular story they she wasn’t allowed to do, and she responded:

“It's not a question of couldn't do it, it's a question of tone.”

In other words, the intimidation was that she had to put a pro-Bush “tone,” and had “fear” about what would happen if she didn’t.

charlie7 · #5 01-05-2006, 01:15 PM

Russ Tice, a whistleblower who was dismissed from the NSA last year, stated in letters to the House and Senate intelligence committees that he is prepared to testify about highly classified Special Access Programs, or SAPs, that were improperly carried out by both the NSA and the DIA.
"I intend to report to Congress probable unlawful and unconstitutional acts conducted while I was an intelligence officer with the National Security Agency and with the Defense Intelligence Agency," Mr. Tice stated in the Dec. 16 letters, copies of which were obtained by The Washington Times.

Botnst · #6 01-05-2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash9

I think English - these were her comments a couple of years ago about pressure on the press

"During a CNBC conversation with Tina Brown, Amanpour said:

“Yes. I think the press was muzzled and I think the press self-muzzled. I'm sorry to say but certainly television and, perhaps, to a certain extent, my station was intimidated by the administration and its foot soldiers at Fox News. And it did, in fact, put a climate of fear and self-censorship, in my view, in terms of--of the kind of broadcast work we did. I mean, all of us should have...”

Before we continue with her quote, look at the word: fear. A climate of fear. People in the press – even this top reporter at CNN – feel afraid to report the truth. Is this America or the old Soviet Union? She continued. Tina Brown asked her if she meant there was a particular story they she wasn’t allowed to do, and she responded:

“It's not a question of couldn't do it, it's a question of tone.”

In other words, the intimidation was that she had to put a pro-Bush “tone,” and had “fear” about what would happen if she didn’t.

I have two problems with that, one philosophical and the other political.

Where does fear come from? If it is imposed from outside then everybody should feel equal fear from a given stimulus. If it is totally from within then no amount or kind of external stimulus could impose fear on an unwilling recipient. I'm betting it's a combination of both, which is why in a given situation difeferent people exhibit different responses to imposed stressors.

If that's the case, then Amanpour is probably innaccurately generalizing to others a response that she felt.

The political issue is this: If she isn't a citizen then she's a fair target for eavesdropping.

B

AMGod · #7 01-05-2006, 02:22 PM

Neutralizing press agents for the enemy is a step in the right direction, IMHO. Drop the spying and let's get down to business. Someone should look up the death toll of press "agents" in Iraq. It is astoundingly high. Thank God for friendly fire.

crash9 · #8 01-05-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

The political issue is this: If she isn't a citizen then she's a fair target for eavesdropping.

B

Understood - and also I can see where a reporter of Mideastern decent might be thought of as having some interesting contacts. I guess it's a matter of style - getting caught or being obvious that can be intimidating in an environment where people can be picked and held just because they don't fit some standard. Removes the freedom of the press if the loyal opposition can speak freely.
Years ago at a Marriott in Detroit I was sitting in the lobby when I noticed a bunch of spooks suddenly milling around. They always look so obvious that it never occurred to me they may think they don't stand out. I went over to one and asked what was going down. He just looked away and started to step away and I ticked and said "hey, I was talking to you". Suddenly I was surrounded by three more and one reached out to touch me - I jerked back and it was suddenly very uncomfortable. A hotel staffer ran over jumped in and introduced me to them and turned to me and said Mr. Clinton (pre-Pres) will be staying with us tonight and it was over, but there's no doubt that this was about to get ugly. No style.
I don't know where this whole thing is right now, but the other day Bush said that only incoming calls from foreigners thought to have AQ contacts were being monitored, and I can't see where there would ever be a problem with that - if it is true.

boneheaddoctor · #9 01-05-2006, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie7

NBC has acknowledged that they have information to suggest that Bush may have spied (be spying) on CNN's Christiane Amanpour and that NBC is currently investigating that very possibility. This isn't just conjecture anymore, NBC has confirmed it.

CNN is recieving funds from OBL to report positively for the terrorists....

The freaking Democrats have totaly lost their minds...

crash9 · #10 01-05-2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

CNN is recieving funds from OBL to report positively for the terrorists....

The freaking Democrats have totally lost their minds...

Does this indicate that you've actually lost it, or that you shouldn't take up comedy writing as a career?

Botnst · #11 01-05-2006, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash9

Understood - and also I can see where a reporter of Mideastern decent might be thought of as having some interesting contacts. I guess it's a matter of style - getting caught or being obvious that can be intimidating in an environment where people can be picked and held just because they don't fit some standard. Removes the freedom of the press if the loyal opposition can speak freely.
Years ago at a Marriott in Detroit I was sitting in the lobby when I noticed a bunch of spooks suddenly milling around. They always look so obvious that it never occurred to me they may think they don't stand out. I went over to one and asked what was going down. He just looked away and started to step away and I ticked and said "hey, I was talking to you". Suddenly I was surrounded by three more and one reached out to touch me - I jerked back and it was suddenly very uncomfortable. A hotel staffer ran over jumped in and introduced me to them and turned to me and said Mr. Clinton (pre-Pres) will be staying with us tonight and it was over, but there's no doubt that this was about to get ugly. No style.
I don't know where this whole thing is right now, but the other day Bush said that only incoming calls from foreigners thought to have AQ contacts were being monitored, and I can't see where there would ever be a problem with that - if it is true.

You're last sentence is the one that bothers me most of all.

boneheaddoctor · #12 01-05-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash9

Does this indicate that you've actually lost it, or that you shouldn't take up comedy writing as a career?

no but Charlie7 seems to think its fine to bash the people who fight terrorism and good fight on the side of terrorists...

charlie7 · #13 01-06-2006, 11:11 AM

After 9/11 Bush kept saying that the terrorist hated us for our freedom. Now that we're giving up our freedoms does this mean that the terrorist like us?

boneheaddoctor · #14 01-06-2006, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie7

After 9/11 Bush kept saying that the terrorist hated us for our freedom. Now that we're giving up our freedoms does this mean that the terrorist like us?

nobody gave up freedom....

why are you trying to give terrorists and their supporters unlimited freedom to kill?