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Attacking Tor: how the NSA targets users' online anonymity (The Guardian)

Attacking Tor: how the NSA targets users' online anonymity (The Guardian)

Posted Oct 6, 2013 9:33 UTC (Sun) by danielpf (subscriber, #4723)
In reply to: Attacking Tor: how the NSA targets users' online anonymity (The Guardian) by geertj
Parent article: Attacking Tor: how the NSA targets users' online anonymity (The Guardian)

> There's many countries in Europe too where the politicians would *love* to
> have a similar system.

The problem is that the power of Kompromat is actually in the hands of the secret services, which may decide to use it to control the politicians, or any other entities with power (justice, finance, etc.). Vladimir Putin was a KGB high officer, with just the kind of background to succeed in politics because he knows also how to control the secret services.

The USA now face the same problem than USSR, their secret services are in position to take control of the whole country.


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Hang 'em

Posted Oct 6, 2013 18:52 UTC (Sun) by rogblake (guest, #18258) [Link]

I believe that what needs to happen is to try the NSA heads for treason and (upon being found guilty) put them to death.

I know this sounds radical, but through its actions the NSA has essentially declared war against the American people and has become the enemy within. Utterly treasonous actions. Putting Keith Alexander and his henchmen to death would send the strongest possible signal to those who would work towards erecting this type of police-state infrastructure in the U.S.

This is the type of heinous crime that the death penalty is quite appropriate for. Not that I think there is much chance of actually implementing this happy plan.

Hang 'em

Posted Oct 7, 2013 5:31 UTC (Mon) by gmaxwell (subscriber, #30048) [Link]

Treason is too much for someone who can really honestly claim to have been acting in the interest of "the people", even if his actions were confused and unlawful.

But... a simple charge for lying to congress sure would be nice. Perjury or contempt of congress.

Attacking Tor: how the NSA targets users' online anonymity (The Guardian)

Posted Oct 6, 2013 19:11 UTC (Sun) by ncm (subscriber, #165) [Link]

I would be interested in evidence that this has not already occurred. Keith Alexander's continued freedom suggests that it has. Or does it only count as a takeover when they stop trying to hide it?

Attacking Tor: how the NSA targets users' online anonymity (The Guardian)

Posted Oct 6, 2013 23:27 UTC (Sun) by dakas (guest, #88146) [Link]

Keith Alexander's main recognized felony would seem to be just perjury rather than conspiring against the constitution.

For perjury in high-level positions, the designated prosecutor would be the Attorney General. Attorney General Eric Holder has lied a lot under oath to congress himself. He is not interested in having perjury dealt with as law and propriety would demand.

When the trial against Ellsberg for the release of the Pentagon papers was thrown out of court, the judge stated: "The totality of the circumstances of this case which I have only briefly sketched offend a sense of justice. The bizarre events have incurably infected the prosecution of this case."

Unfortunately, the bizarre events surrounding its head Eric Holder nowadays have incurably infected the ability of the Department of Justice to prosecute felonies committed by government officials.

Why would Holder want to anger his fellow cronies?

Attacking Tor: how the NSA targets users' online anonymity (The Guardian)

Posted Oct 7, 2013 4:27 UTC (Mon) by drag (subscriber, #31333) [Link]

Everybody that is in a position to do anything about the NSA are their main supporters.

The president loves them, the people that are put in charge of the oversight committee over the NSA and DoD operations are the people that publicly denounce the media for 'misrepresenting' the NSA.

They all love and support the NSA.

I only hope this will help our European friends understand why Americans can hate and distrust their own government so much.

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