Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

xchrom

(108,903 posts)
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 09:54 AM Jun 2013

Just Curious... Why Is Everyone Totally Okay With The Government Spying On 'Foreigners?'

http://www.businessinsider.com/why-is-it-okay-to-spy-on-foreigners-2013-6


It's okay to spy on them! They're foreign!

One bizarre aspect of this new debate about the National Security Agency's surveillance programs is that everyone only seems to be concerned about secret spying on Americans.

When the first allegations about NSA privacy abuses came out, the NSA and White House rushed to reassure everyone:
Yes, the surveillance program exists, but it only spies on foreigners.

And for a day or two, that actually appeared to satisfy everyone. Oh, we're only recording, tracking, and analyzing the communications of foreigners? Well, okay then. We just wanted be sure that the privacy abuses and Big Brother stuff wasn't being used on Americans.


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/why-is-it-okay-to-spy-on-foreigners-2013-6#ixzz2VupxmJfP
16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Just Curious... Why Is Everyone Totally Okay With The Government Spying On 'Foreigners?' (Original Post) xchrom Jun 2013 OP
We've spied on foreigners since the inception of the country frazzled Jun 2013 #1
So canadian snow birds are foreigners darkangel218 Jun 2013 #2
It's cause they talk funny Vinnie From Indy Jun 2013 #3
lmao!!!!! darkangel218 Jun 2013 #10
Because they don't vote in our elections and aren't subject to the coersive power geek tragedy Jun 2013 #4
I'd say Life Long Dem Jun 2013 #5
Count me out- all citizens in liberal democracies have constitutions which malaise Jun 2013 #6
+1 xchrom Jun 2013 #13
Because that's part of a government's job? Recursion Jun 2013 #7
Government isnt supposef to spy. they supposed to look after us and stuff :( darkangel218 Jun 2013 #9
Huh? Why aren't governments supposed to spy on other countries? Recursion Jun 2013 #11
I dont know :/ darkangel218 Jun 2013 #12
Xchrom, do you agree kittehs rule? darkangel218 Jun 2013 #8
Why is every one ok with a defense establishment that has nuclear weapons Progressive dog Jun 2013 #14
That's a good point. noamnety Jun 2013 #15
As interconnected as the world is today... randome Jun 2013 #16

frazzled

(18,402 posts)
1. We've spied on foreigners since the inception of the country
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 10:00 AM
Jun 2013

That's why we have an entire government arm devoted to spying (it's called the CIA, as well as military intelligence and NSA). They are set up, by Congress, to spy on foreigners.

Do you think that new technologies will not bring new forms of spying?

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
4. Because they don't vote in our elections and aren't subject to the coersive power
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 10:02 AM
Jun 2013

of our government.

Also, they're foreigners. It's our spy agencies' job to spy on foreigners.

 

Life Long Dem

(8,582 posts)
5. I'd say
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 10:03 AM
Jun 2013

Middle East countries where the terrorist are don't have the same rights we do. They don't need to issue warrants like they do here to look at phone records.

malaise

(269,211 posts)
6. Count me out- all citizens in liberal democracies have constitutions which
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 10:08 AM
Jun 2013

clearly guarantee the right to privacy.
Brits believed this same shite in the last century - now they are paying reparations to the Kenyan and others will demand their pound of flesh as well.


Recursion

(56,582 posts)
11. Huh? Why aren't governments supposed to spy on other countries?
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 10:11 AM
Jun 2013

I'm trying to think of a government, throughout history, that hasn't, and I'm coming up blank.

Progressive dog

(6,921 posts)
14. Why is every one ok with a defense establishment that has nuclear weapons
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 10:29 AM
Jun 2013

and costs trillions to protect us from foreigners? It's okay to buy weapons to kill them but never spy on them, cause they might stop buying from American companies.




 

noamnety

(20,234 posts)
15. That's a good point.
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 10:33 AM
Jun 2013

It sort of implies that we'd all be okay with other governments spying on us, just not our own.

 

randome

(34,845 posts)
16. As interconnected as the world is today...
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 10:39 AM
Jun 2013

...I would have no problem with scaling back spying capabilities so long as it was accompanied by a closing of our military bases and public statements that we will refrain from meddling in other countries' affairs except under the auspices of the U.N.

[hr]
[font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font]
[hr]

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Just Curious... Why Is Ev...