Obama, Merkel agree to talks on U.S. spying

[ProSense]

Obama, Merkel agree to talks on U.S. spying

David Jackson

The United States, Germany and probably other nations will soon hold talks on American surveillance tactics that include alleged spying on European allies.

Amid reports that the U.S. has bugged various embassies and missions, President Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had what sounds like an uncomfortable discussion by phone on Wednesday, the White House reported.

"The President assured the Chancellor that the United States takes seriously the concerns of our European allies and partners," said a White House statement on the call.

<...>

Obama and Merkel "reaffirmed the importance of continued close cooperation between our respective intelligence services in the fight against terrorism and other threats to the security of the United States, Germany, and our allies," the White House said.

- more -

http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2013/07/04/obama-merkel-snowden-surveillance-leaks/2488927/

[allin99]

1. aka, how can we spy on everyone and not get caught next time.

[Buzz Clik]

2. I predict...

... that both sides vow to keep on spying but to try to cut down on leaks about it.

[whatchamacallit]

3. Why? I thought there was no spying n/t

[Amonester]

4. Ian Fleming thought so too

So he made it all up to make a buck (and it worked).

[ProSense]

5. Well,

"Why? I thought there was no spying"

..you "thought" wrong. FYI, the NSA is a spying organization.

NYT editor's blog: Snowden’s Questionable New Turn
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023034825

Other countries have a version of the NSA.

[whatchamacallit]

7. Yeah, but what "meaningless, harmless, already known" events inspired the talks? n/t

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. Spying Scandal Shakes Up German Campaign - der Spiegal

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023167433

[dkf]

8. She is just trying to cover her ass.

Again it's the people who are outraged at being betrayed by their leaders. The leaders are mostly an authoritarian bunch when it comes to spying on its citizens. Power corrupts!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. Yep. And the Germans aren't buying it.

[kentuck]

10. The UK is rather quite...

Anyone notice?

[BumRushDaShow]

11. Anyone remember this?

U.S. Finally Opens Moscow Embassy / Building was delayed 15 years after Russians riddled it with bugs
Kathy Lally, Baltimore Sun
Published 4:00 am, Saturday, July 8, 2000

2000-07-08 04:00:00 PDT Moscow -- The first time around, the new American Embassy building in Moscow was like a giant Soviet antenna, a monument to the ingenuity of the KGB and a constant and embarrassing reminder to the United States of a skirmish lost in the hard-fought Cold War.

On Thursday, however, U.S. Ambassador James Collins welcomed reporters to the second version of the building, finally open and operating 15 years after the first attempt had to be abandoned when it was discovered that the construction materials were loaded with Soviet listening devices.

"It's a symbol," Collins said. "We are entering a new era in our relations with the Russian Federation. It's permanent and very long-term. This building reflects a lot of what we're trying to do today."

Best of all, the embassy is supposed to be bug-free, though the ambassador put it far more diplomatically.


More :http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/U-S-Finally-Opens-Moscow-Embassy-Building-was-2714015.php

I swear it's like DU is populated by a bunch of junior high kids. This sudden outrage about who is spying on who and insisting that it suddenly started happening after 2009 and no one else in the entire world does it but the U.S. is nothing but pure unadulterated bullshit.

It absolutely doesn't mean it is right but it is what it is. The less of it the better. None is best. But the hyperbolic gyrations as if this just started recently, are inane.