The National Security Agency is America's premiere signals collection authority and has deterred 60 terrorist attacks. Cease privacy rights?

2015-06-15T05:20:53-04:00

The National Security Agency is America's premiere signals collection authority and has effectively deterred more than 60 terrorist attacks upon the continental United States. Some american businesses have consented to monitoring for the sake of protections provided by the National Security Agency. Shouldn't American citizens do the same? NSA’s mission is to help protect national security by providing policy makers and military commanders with the intelligence information they need to perform their jobs. https://youtu.be/bPbwDMZlu1w

Alpha and Omega

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jun 15 at 2015 5:34 AM

2015-06-15T05:34:14-04:00

Appreciate the information, well noted

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jun 15 at 2015 5:41 AM

2015-06-15T05:41:42-04:00

Some frame of reference for that 60 would help... This month? this year? Since the Patriot Act was signed? In the life of the agency?
What was the estimated numbers of lives saved through domestic surveillance?
With nearly 60,000 violent deaths per year in the US and an additional 30,000 from traffic accidents... 60 events over 15 years isn't even a drop in the bucket. And that's even if each of those events was on the scale of the Oklahoma City Bombing (168 dead, 680 wounded).

The NSA domestic surveillance is a huge price to pay for something still less dangerous than crossing the street.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 15 at 2015 5:51 AM

2015-06-15T05:51:06-04:00

No. The security of this Nation trumps individual privacy rights!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 6:40 AM

2015-06-15T06:40:12-04:00

V
http://youtu.be/qq0bjHk4BN0

NSA

Response by SPC Thomas Baldwin made Jun 15 at 2015 7:12 AM

2015-06-15T07:12:48-04:00

I agree for the most part, But they are using the collection for other things not intended and that makes it a violation of the constitution. If they would stay to the intent of the ACT it would be good. This case its been proven not the case.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 7:23 AM

2015-06-15T07:23:01-04:00

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety” - Benjamin Franklin

Response by MSgt Manuel Diaz made Jun 15 at 2015 8:25 AM

2015-06-15T08:25:19-04:00

NSA can do it's job and without abusing constitutional rights of its people. A government the people fear is tyranny, a government that fears the people is government by the people. Never give up your freedom for a false sense of security.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jun 15 at 2015 10:35 AM

2015-06-15T10:35:22-04:00

Just because you work for them does not mean I will just automatically start liking what they do. I admire your loyalty to your workplace, I do not advocate your workplace monitoring me though. The 4th amendment is there for a reason.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jun 15 at 2015 11:05 AM

2015-06-15T11:05:27-04:00

"I know I've made some very poor decisions recently, but I can give you my complete assurance that my work will be back to normal. I've still got the greatest enthusiasm and confidence in the mission. And I want to help you. " -- HAL 9000

"This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it. " -- HAL 9000

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062622/quotes?item=qt0396921

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Quotes on IMDb: Memorable quotes and exchanges from movies, TV series and more...

Response by CW2 John Brookins made Jun 15 at 2015 11:13 AM

2015-06-15T11:13:05-04:00

How does one gauge "effectively deterred"?

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 15 at 2015 1:00 PM

2015-06-15T13:00:48-04:00

The beauty of being the NSA is that you can claim to have deterred any number of attacks and who is going to be able to prove you wrong?

Does the NSA even officially exist yet?

Response by SSG Nick Tramontano made Jun 15 at 2015 1:30 PM

2015-06-15T13:30:46-04:00

They should be listening to what other countries are doing and preventing them from hacking our computer systems !!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 2:35 PM

2015-06-15T14:35:26-04:00

These are the National Security Agency's commitments to you, our fellow citizens:

1. We will act with integrity to advance the rights, goals, and values of the Nation.
2. We will adhere to the spirit and the letter of the Constitution and the laws and regulations
of the United States.
3. We will support and protect our troops in the field.
4. We will combat terrorism around the globe - when necessary, putting our lives on the line
to preserve the Nation.
5. We will provide our policymakers, negotiators, ambassadors, law enforcement community,
and military the vital intelligence they need to protect and defend the Nation.
6. We will defend the national security networks vital to our Nation.
7. We will be a trusted steward of public resources and place prudent judgment over
expediency.
8. We will continually strive for transparency in all our review, monitoring, and decision-
making processes.
9. We will honor Open Government and Transparency mandates by making timely and
accurate information available to the public, subject to valid privacy, confidentiality, security
or other restrictions under existing law and policies.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 2:42 PM

2015-06-15T14:42:33-04:00

NSA's Dedication to the Nation

"NSA/CSS employees are Americans first, last, and always. We treasure the U.S. Constitution and the rights it secures for all the people. Each employee takes a solemn oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
But supporting and defending mean much more. They mean a commitment to upholding the federal laws, executive orders, and regulations that govern our activities and to protecting the people's rights and privacy. In a world in which privacy has become illusory in so many areas of our lives, NSA/CSS maintains the highest standards of integrity and lawful action.

The public should be confident that NSA/CSS activities are subject to strict scrutiny and oversight both from outside and from within. External bodies such as the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), the President's Intelligence Oversight Board, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Justice provide oversight to ensure this Agency's adherence to U.S. laws and regulations. Internally, the Office of the Inspector General conducts inspections, audits, and investigations to make certain that NSA/CSS operates with integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness, while the Office of the General Counsel provides legal advice. Most importantly, each NSA/CSS employee is charged with knowing, understanding, and obeying to the fullest the laws of the Nation.

All of us who are privileged to serve the people as members of the NSA/CSS community honor the words and spirit of the Constitution. Not only are we entrusted to protect and defend the Nation with integrity, accountability, and respect for the law, but as NSA/CSS employees and as citizens, we must do our part to "Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity." This is our commitment.""

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 3:00 PM

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Dedication to the Community

"The NSA/CSS commitment to being a good citizen of the Chesapeake region, Maryland, and the United States is evidenced in many ways. We are Central Maryland's largest contributor to the Combined Federal Campaign, the official charitable contribution program of the Federal Government. The NSA/CSS Blood Donor Program is the largest single source of blood for the greater Chesapeake/Potomac region and has a very active marrow donor and hemapheresis extraction program in partnership with other Defense Department elements.

We run educational outreach programs and have many educational partnerships that include a special emphasis on promoting mathematics and science education. Our Stokes Educational Scholarship Program is a unique opportunity for high school seniors planning to study computer science or computer or electrical engineering, and for college sophomores studying certain foreign languages, math, or other fields leading to a career in intelligence analysis. We also donate excess computers and laboratory equipment to non-profit educational institutions to support mathematics and science education.

NSA has strong ties to the Maryland business community and industry base including numerous local and regional partners, from area chambers of commerce to a special BWI Business Partnership. The NSA Office of Small Business Programs aids, counsels, assists, and protects the interests of small businesses. The NSA Acquisition Organization is committed to a variety of outreach initiatives to establish partnerships with industry, academia, and other local, state, and federal government entities.

As an employer, NSA recognizes that we must recruit and hire a workforce with a diverse set of backgrounds, experiences, and points of view. National security and diversity go hand-in-hand as essential partners in the interest of global peace. NSA's commitment to diversity has been recognized by the readers of Diversity/Careers in Engineering & Information Technology as a 2008 Best Diversity Company."

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 3:10 PM

2015-06-15T15:10:49-04:00

I'm prsonally not feeling very safe at the moment considering the OPM breach. I got notification that my PII was affected. First the VA now this....I am not sure I have any faith in how my PII is being secured.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jun 15 at 2015 3:12 PM

2015-06-15T15:12:56-04:00

i dont mind giving up a little to save lives and that savings isnt temporary.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 4:10 PM

2015-06-15T16:10:13-04:00

National Security Agency

For information concerning the OPM cybersecurity incident, please refer to OPM's web site at:

http://www.opm.gov

U.S. Office of Personnel Management - www.OPM.gov

OPM works in several broad categories to recruit, retain and honor a world-class workforce for the American people.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 4:36 PM

2015-06-15T16:36:16-04:00

NSA PAO Statement
NSA’s Activities: Valid Foreign Intelligence Targets Are the Focus

"Recent press articles on NSA’s collection operations conducted under Executive Order 12333 have misstated facts, mischaracterized NSA’s activities, and drawn erroneous inferences about those operations. NSA conducts all of its activities in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies – and assertions to the contrary do a grave disservice to the nation, its allies and partners, and the men and women who make up the National Security Agency.
All NSA intelligence activities start with a validated foreign intelligence requirement, initiated by one or more Executive Branch intelligence consumers, and run through a process managed by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. When those requirements are received by NSA, analysts look at the Information Need and determine the best way to satisfy it. That process involves identifying the foreign entities that have the information, researching how they communicate, and determining how best to access those communications in order to get the foreign intelligence information. The analysts identify selectors – e-mail addresses and phone numbers are examples – that help isolate the communications of the foreign entity and task those to collection systems. In those cases where there are not specific selectors available, the analysts will use metadata, similar to the address on the outside of an envelope, to attempt to develop selectors for their targets. Once they have them, they task the selectors to the collection systems in order to get access to the content, similar to the letter inside the envelope. The collection systems target communications links that contain the selectors, or are to and from areas likely to contain the selectors, of foreign intelligence interest. Seventy years ago, the communications links were shortwave radio transmissions between two points on the globe. Today’s communications flow over technologies like satellite links, microwave towers, and fiber optic cables. Terrorists, weapons proliferators, and other valid foreign intelligence targets make use of commercial infrastructure and services. When a validated foreign intelligence target uses one of those means to send or receive their communications, we work to find, collect, and report on the communication. Our focus is on targeting the communications of those targets, not on collecting and exploiting a class of communications or services that would sweep up communications that are not of bona fide foreign intelligence interest to us. What NSA does is collect the communications of targets of foreign intelligence value, irrespective of the provider that carries them. U.S. service provider communications make use of the same information super highways as a variety of other commercial service providers. NSA must understand and take that into account in order to eliminate information that is not related to foreign intelligence. NSA works with a number of partners and allies in meeting its foreign-intelligence mission goals, and in every case those operations comply with U.S. law and with the applicable laws under which those partners and allies operate. A key part of the protections that are provided to both U.S. persons and citizens of other countries is the requirement that information be in support of a valid foreign intelligence requirement, and the Attorney General-approved minimization procedures. These limitations protect the privacy of all people, and in particular, to any incidentally acquired communications of U.S. persons. The protections are applied when selectors are tasked to the collection system; when the collection itself occurs; when the collected data are being processed, evaluated, analyzed, and put into a database; and when any reporting of the foreign intelligence is being done. In addition, NSA is very motivated and actively works to remove as much extraneous data as early in the process as possible – to include data of innocent foreign citizens."

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 10:09 PM

2015-06-15T22:09:19-04:00

I come from the MI side of the house and I think, based on what's been made public, that it's gone too far. I don't doubt that NSA, or any agency, has the best of intentions. My issue is that corruption of the original intent is inevitable. Historically, broad legal authority for extraordinary cases end up being seen as normal and applied to situations they weren't meant for.
RICO statutes are a prime example. Originally intended for use against the mafia, an organization structured and organized to hide it's functions and members from outsiders, it gave the federal government extraordinary powers in going after them. Over the years the law has been applied to terrorists, drug dealers, pimps, and street gangs. With the exception of terrorism, none of these crimes are historically threats the legal/political system we have like the mafia was.

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made Jun 16 at 2015 3:15 AM

2015-06-16T03:15:09-04:00

You know... after the Nazis took over in Germany.. they made excellent use of pre-existing police records... It isn't that we're afraid of what they are doing, it is what future democrats might do with that information they are gathering. We'd rather not risk it and just prevent the situation from ever being allowed to develop.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2015 11:44 AM

2015-06-16T11:44:28-04:00

Big brother is watching you so straighten up those E-mail accounts and stop downloading those unauthorized graphic files to your computers. Our job is difficult enough already!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 16 at 2015 2:23 PM

2015-06-16T14:23:15-04:00

Some folks find the government more of an enemy than terrorists.

Response by SSG John Erny made Jun 16 at 2015 3:10 PM

2015-06-16T15:10:55-04:00

I do not have a problem with what they do if it saves the Lives of Americans. They have a tough job to do. With a little effort anyone can go into the dark net or hide behind chained proxies that are encrypted. Many of which can be purchased with bit coins or gift cards, so they can not be traced. You can even rent server space in places like Panama for very little money. The very best hackers are masters of this and that is why they do not get caught.

The more places the NSA has to look for the bad guy to make a mistake the better chance they have to prevent the loss of life.

Response by MSgt Tommy Flores made Jun 16 at 2015 3:54 PM

2015-06-16T15:54:36-04:00

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Ben Franklin

Response by TSgt Barry Stuart made Jun 16 at 2015 5:47 PM

2015-06-16T17:47:14-04:00

AS IF it isn't bad enough that we have the government "secretly interpreting" the law to fit their needs we also have the following:

- Federal agencies using CELL TOWER SPOOFERS to simulate your provider and intercepting all communications - WITHOUT A WARRANT

- Border agents copying your entire cellphone/laptop/whatever because their interpretation of the law says they can WITHOUT A WARRANT

- Federal and local jurisdictions utilizing ASSETT FORFEITURE to illegally seize the money of citizens without any charges, because they can and WITHOUT A WARRANT

- TSA can't do better than a 5% success rate on intercepting weapons and contraband during no-announce testing AND managed to allow over 100 people CONNECTED TO TERRORISM to be employed by airlines

So please explain to me how my taxes are being used to make me safer and ensure my freedoms when the same agencies that took my taxes are abusing my freedoms each and every day through accident, incompetence or design.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 6:18 PM

2015-06-17T18:18:46-04:00

Google sells your data, The phone companies sell your data, yahoo sells your data, everyone posts their entire life story on Facebook... and they sell your data, and foreign intelligence agencies steal your data. For some reason we trust companies that only exist to make money with our data but not the government agency which only exists to combat foreign threats and keep us safe. Maybe people don't read the terms of service before they sign up for an account that holds personal information.

Response by SSgt Lonnie Montgomery made Jun 18 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-06-18T15:45:08-04:00

MAJ (Verify To See)
Sir,
Information is POWER any way you slice it, anyway you obtain it, and for whatever use it is to be used for becomes an issue if it is not obtained in the proper “legal” way. An executive order handed down to different federal agencies does not make it legal. As stated many times in responses to your past posts similar subject, I personally believe our politicians have this one wrong.
“…. Cease privacy rights? “ At the cost of our Constitution and Bill of Rights, no way, no how, not a chance. If this information is needed on American citizens do it legally or not at all. It is like we have to afford someone captured on a battle field all these “rights” but, now we are supposed to give them up, suspend them, or whatever you wish to call it. These rights are guaranteed to each American citizen and cannot be taken away by anything other than a Judge or a Constitutional Amendment. So simply put it is a No, never, not even for a little while should we “Cease privacy rights” for an American Citizen.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 7:00 PM

2015-06-18T19:00:51-04:00

Source to them deterring more than 60 attacks? Because last I saw, that number shrunk to 10, then 2, then 1, and then that 1 could have been stopped without the NSA.

Response by SFC Dennis Yancy made Jun 19 at 2015 6:50 PM

2015-06-19T18:50:21-04:00

Would get better response if told about success

Response by SGT Mike Rudd made Jun 20 at 2015 9:40 PM

2015-06-20T21:40:43-04:00

I think if they could come up with a more feasible way like using NASA's monitoring and data collection it would probably further the disruption of terrorist attacks

Response by SSG Stephen Arnold made Jun 21 at 2015 8:04 PM

2015-06-21T20:04:17-04:00

We should trust Big Brother because Big Brother says that he is trustworthy and has been protecting us.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Jun 21 at 2015 8:46 PM

2015-06-21T20:46:00-04:00

If we don't prevent the next 9-11, we have done too little.

Response by SPC Eddie Espejo made Jun 23 at 2015 8:25 AM

2015-06-23T08:25:17-04:00

That's barely scratching the surface of the bigger problem which is gonna hit us big time. Check my latest post. It made me nauseous

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 29 at 2015 6:43 PM

2015-07-29T18:43:57-04:00

Its ironic the obstinace of some Americans hinder the ability for NSA to defend the country.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 29 at 2015 9:04 PM

2015-07-29T21:04:04-04:00

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand I hate to see the government abusing rights for any excuse. On another other, I'm not sure I trust their claims of success in preventing incidents of terrorism. How do you prove a negative? On the another hand I have to wonder just how they are "monitoring" us (US?). My home and office phones were tapped when I was the Operations Officer for a Strategic Communications Center. Well I suspected it until one of my conversations with a colonel was replayed at a security awareness briefing (the colonel insisted on discussing classified information despite my repeated warnings and hanging up on him several times), and my suspicions were confirmed. My new bride at that time and I used to talk "dirty" to each other giggling as we imagined some low ranking "monitor" getting hot just listening to us. Ultimately, we figured, what the hell... We weren't betraying anything (never would) so listen away. We had nothing to hide and, ultimately, we couldn't imagine "them" listening in on everyone and everything all the time. Imagine the resources that would require...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 1 at 2015 1:21 PM

2015-08-01T13:21:41-04:00

The NSA's mission for disaster preparedness and relief is the main proponent of information.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 10:53 AM

2015-08-11T10:53:17-04:00

The right to privacy isn't one of the basic rights afforded to the people in accordance with the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. In any case, they are listening to what is being said. They are not watching people shower or anything.
If two people are talking bad about someone behind their back and they are overheard, then is that a violation of their privacy? The government doesnt care about our petty gossip and our guilty secrets. If you you don't have anything to hide, then you don't have anything to worry about.
Are you going to say that the National Security Agency can stop a terrorist plot to kill thousands of people, but because they might hear you talking about your personal life, they shouldnt be able to monitor phone conversations?
OH WHOA IS ME! THEY HEARD ME SAY I HAVE A MIDGET FETISH! (Please sense the sarcasm there)

I just cant believe that anyone would put their sense of a right to secret pervertedness and shame/embarassment above the lives of others.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 23 at 2015 7:31 PM

2015-08-23T19:31:16-04:00

Americans want it both ways. Security with privacy.