Feinstein And Rogers Say Terrorism Threat To US Is Increasing

[Purveyor]

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Associated Press in Washington
theguardian.com, Sunday 1 December 2013 12.56 EST

The terrorism threat against the United States is increasing and Americans are not as safe as they were a year or two ago, the leaders of the House and Senate intelligence committees said on Sunday.

Senator Dianne Feinstein and Representative Mike Rogers appeared together on CNN's State of the Union, on the day that al-Qaida's US spokesperson called for attacks on US interests around the world. Rogers said al-Qaida groups had changed their means of communication as a result of leaks about US surveillance programs, making it harder to detect potential plots in the early planning stages.

"We're fighting amongst ourselves here in this country about the role of our intelligence community that it is having an impact on our ability to stop what is a growing number of threats," he said. "And so we've got to shake ourselves out of this pretty soon and understand that our intelligence services are not the bad guys."

Feinstein, a California Democrat, said there were more terrorist groups than ever, with more sophisticated and hard-to-detect bombs. She said: "There is huge malevolence out there."

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/01/feinstein-rogers-terrorism-threat-intelligence-committees

[Garion_55]

1. NSA suckups

is my guess.

[mpcamb]

21. So do they mean...

If we only spend a little MORE of our national budget on spying and waiting even LONGER at airport security, things will be safer?

I got a better idea. Be a better world citizen.

[Ace Acme]

23. Corporations may be people but they can't be citizens.

Fiduciary duty and all that. Their code of ethics prohibits it.

[IDemo]

2. We are not the bad guys either

Stop sniffing our packets.

[msongs]

3. if Feinstein would resign, that would lessen her threat nt

[fujiyama]

4. I hate this woman

Both of them are trying to brush aside the NSA spying issues under the rug. "Nothin to see here, move along".

How, California are you stuck with perhaps the worst Democrat in the Senate?

As for Rogers, I expect nothing else. Another republican.

[frylock]

11. brand recognition..

Same way we'll probably get stuck with Hillary.

[mike_c]

5. Feinstein is an embarrassment....

Ugh.

[TBF]

6. Translation -

NSA spying is off the table.

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. Must be time to ratchet up the fear factor....

[warrant46]

74. Feinstein = Just in time to get the sheep to demand more military spending

We need more F-35s 2800 at 280 million $$ each

and Ford Aircraft Carriers for 35 Billion $$$$

</sarcasm>

[Ace Acme]

77. I'm wondering what possible use an aircraft carrier could have in defending our country

... i.e., what it can do in that role that our own domestic air bases can not do better.

Obviously the only use for an aircraft carrier is to project force and intimidate countries far from our borders--which is why we have 15 of them (and 3 more under construction) when the rest of the world has only 15 combined.

[warrant46]

88. The planes they carry are used to bomb the crap out of guys who live in Mud Huts

and ride Camels. Follow the money trial when it comes to this 80 year plus Old Fossil Feinstein.

If one of her LARGE supporters can make a defense Buck or 2 some how she will be on the front line throwing grenades and providing some filthy lucre !!

[AndyA]

8. Let me just make a wild guess here...

MORE spying? MORE surveillance?

I guess it's a necessity now that Terra! Terra! Terra! is being pushed--again. I think it's time for Feinstein to go.

What's the quote? Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one. (Benjamin Franklin)

I think I'll go with Ben on this one, he seems a much wiser person than Feinstein or Rogers.

[uppityperson]

9. The problem about crying Wolf! is that some day there may very well be a wolf.

[hobbit709]

10. I consider DiFi a threat to the security of the US.

[deurbano]

12. Ditto

[catchnrelease]

13. Yes, what you said.

[nolabels]

31. If this was a bar i would say what i really think

but i can say I have heard there is that polite but not polite word for a person like this and it's called a 'madame'. Anything for a sale no matter who gets screwed, most obviously

It's also a curse to us that modern medicine will keep and help people this to stay somewhat cogent so in that way she could be in office for a long time longer

[leftyohiolib]

14. hey d-fi what 's the terrorist color code for today?

[SwankyXomb]

36. As far as she and her husband are concered,

Green, with extra dollar signs.

[leftyohiolib]

37. she profits by keeping us afraid

[RC]

15. Maybe if we would help people instead of killing them as a foreign policy, there wouldn't be much of

a terrorest threat to wave in our faces.

[Ace Acme]

19. Making hundreds of thousands of orphans today ensures continued prosperity

... for the military-industrial-security-congressional-media-lobbist complex for decades to come.

[RC]

22. Yeah, speaking of the real terrorists behind the terrorism...

[SoapBox]

16. I don't like either one of them BUT

Please tell us, NSA ranters, what EXACTLY is your plan to root out those (including batshit crazy wackos Americans here) that want to do major harm here?

I've been waiting since Comrade Snowden, the Traitor, yapped his flap, to see serious thoughts and ideas but...the usual crickets.

[Comrade Grumpy]

18. My plan is to simply surrender liberties in the name of security. It's working pretty well so far.

On edit: Well, except for the security part, as Feinstein and Rogers now tell us.

Quite a bargain, that: Frittering away our freedoms for perpetual fear of the terror bogeyman.

[Ace Acme]

20. Maybe realism is appropriate

---accepting that a certain amount of terrorism is the price of freedom.

We accept a certain number of auto accidents as the cost of having cars.

We accept a certain number of mad shooters as the cost of having guns.

We accept a certain number of plane crashes as the cost of flying.

Why must anti-terrorism be a zero-fail program?

[Maedhros]

54. The amount of money, effort and blood we spend on "terrorism"

is so incredibly out-of-scale compared to the threat it presents.

[Maedhros]

43. You are more likely to be hit by lightning than to be a victim of a terrorist attack.

Have some perspective.

At no time in this country's history have there been no "batshit crazy wackos" attempting to harm us. The United States still managed to make it to the 21st century without cowering under our beds, pleading for Big Brother to take our civil liberties in trade for his benevolent protection. Until now.

Your arguments, frankly, make me sick. Tens of thousands of Americans have died to protect our civil liberties, but shameless authoritarian cowards stand ready across this nation to surrender those rights for the illusion of safety. This current batch of mealy-mouthed political bottom-feeders have so easily convinced the weak-minded among us that bedraggled tribal insurgents in far-off third-world backwaters are an existential threat to the nation. Torture, murder and destruction in the pursuit of the terrorist chimera are accepted without question by the rank and file yet, when brave individuals stand up and reveal the corruption behind the thin veil of "national security," they are shouted down and insulted by those who pretend to champion democracy.

[ronnie624]

53. Excellent post.

In no way does terrorism threaten the ruling power structure of the United States. A person is far, far more likely to die in a car wreck, an accident in their own home or from any number of diseases, than from a terrorist attack. Those who are ready to dismantle democracy out of fear of terrorism, merit nothing but scorn. My lip curls of its own volition when I read irrational posts like the one above.

A reversal of our government's policies of aggression for the domination of resources that belong to others, would more effectively reduce the threat of terrorism, anyway.

[Ace Acme]

55. What happened to the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Last edited Mon Dec 2, 2013, 01:25 PM - Edit history (1)

We hire mercenaries to be brave for us, and surrender our rights while we cower in our homes, watching the mercenaries we hire to play football for us from our barcalounger chairs.

[Comrade Grumpy]

17. Why on earth would anyone be upset with the US?

[bemildred]

24. So our present strategy is not working? We need to reform our security agencies?

Not a chance.

[Jesus Malverde]

25. I saw an interesting observation that they want to get everything into a NSA reform bill.

The fear is if they don't, amendments will be added to other appropriation bills on an ongoing basis.

[indepat]

26. Do the terraists created by the war on terra really hate us for our freedoms rather than our

policies and actions? Inquiring minds want to know my dear Senator and congress-critter

[Mr.Bill]

29. No, they hate us because

we have gone to their part of the world and murdered hundreds of thousands of people.

[davidpdx]

27. Rogers and Feinstein's: They are coming to get you and blow you up

Two thumbs down - Roger & Ebert

A bad sequel to the Bush/Cheney 2001 tap dance - LA Times

The movie should be called '2013: A total Odyssey' - New York Times

Fear and Loathing in Congress - SF Chronicle

[Zorro]

28. I believe Feinstein and Rogers understand the threat more than most

and ignoring their remarks is equivalent to the Shrub's casual dismissal of the 9/11 warnings.

[okaawhatever]

33. Agreed. Also, a successful terrorist attack energizes them even more. If Iraq and Afghanistan become

training grounds for extremist groups again, there's no telling what will happen. One thing that will come out of the fighting in the middle east is radical, trained soldiers.
Until I learn that the NSA is doing much worse than in the recent past, I'm willing to let it continue. Snowden's revelations have done little to benefit the citizens of the US and a lot more to benefit our enemies.

[TiberiusB]

45. You can prove that, of course

I sincerely doubt Feinstein, Rogers, you, or any other NSA apologist can actually point to any proof that the Snowden leaks helped any terrorist group. The same claims were made during the Bradley/Chelsea Manning trial, none of which held up under scrutiny. The U.S. has a century of questionable to outright disastrous foreign policy in the Middle East to answer for. Even if we completely cleaned up our act now, it would take a generation or more to fix the damage. There will be more blowback at some point, I guarantee it, and no amount of NSA overreach will stop it (they couldn't stop the Boston bombing, and that was just two relative amateurs). As for learning that the NSA is "doing much worse than in the recent past" (which assumes that the actions of the NSA in the recent past are somehow good), how do you expect to do that? Are you planning to wait for the NSA to confess, or perhaps for some whistle-blower to go public? Which seems more likely?

[warrant46]

75. There are a lot of apologists for snooping here

Its hard to determine if they are seriously touched or just naive

[Ace Acme]

67. Way back in 2004 abc news tested security

Last edited Fri Dec 13, 2013, 09:41 PM - Edit history (2)

... protecting against two easily foreseeable terrorist attacks.

They left backpacks on the trains in the Philly-DC corridor, and they drove through open gates into chemical plants in New Jersey. There was nothing to stop them, and nothing to stop any terrorists either.

There is no shortage of soft targets, no shortage of scenarios which would even allow the perps to escape.

Specific to the chemical plants, back in 2004 the EPA had the authority to demand that defenses such as tank traps be installed to prevent motorized terrorist assault, and did not exercise that authority.

Now it appears that the four gunmen in the Kenyan shopping mall attack escaped.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

44. Lol.

I'll make sure to stock up on duct tape.

[Zorro]

46. Ignorance is bliss

[ForgoTheConsequence]

47. Sure it is.

So is living my life without a perpetual fear of Muslim boogy-men.

[cali]

59. Yeah? well, I believe Leahy understands it better than the corrupt piece of dog shit

that is feinstein.

He disagrees strongly with her.

she's putrid, lying and corrupt. fuck her.

[Zorro]

63. Leahy is not a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee

and thus is not privy to the detailed information that Feinstein -- the committee chairperson -- is.

[cali]

66. I'm sorry, but that so doesn't cut it.

Leahy has far more information than YOU. And I'll take his word over yours on the NSA any day of the week.

[Zorro]

71. Try reading my post without a bag on your head

Leahy is NOT a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and will not know as much about the increase in terrorist threats as Feinstein -- the committee chairperson -- knows.

[Ace Acme]

68. Leahy is not a member of the Senate Intel Committee, and thus is likely not subject to blackmail

. . . to which Feinstein likely is.

[Zorro]

72. You seriously believe Feinstein is being blackmailed to make those statements?

Sounds as if someone is watching too many conspiracy movies.

[Ace Acme]

73. You seriously believe she is not?

Isn't it the most reasonable explanation for why those charged with overseeing the intel agencies have instead become their biggest fans?

Hey, it worked for J. Edgar Hoover, didn't it?

[Zorro]

76. Avoiding answering the question, I see

[Ace Acme]

78. As are you. I seriously believe as little as possible.

I try to pay attention to what's going on.

[Zorro]

79. If you seriously believe Feinstein is being blackmailed

you're not paying that much attention to reality.

[Ace Acme]

80. Maybe you should learn to read a little more carefully before commenting

.. on what you think I believe, and reality.

[Zorro]

82. You were given the opportunity to declare whether you believe Feinstein is being blackmailed

and you chose to dissemble.

You either believe it or not; in either case, it's a supremely silly implication.

[Ace Acme]

83. I was not interested in your crude, misframed questions.

Your belief that the prospect of blackmail of elected officials is "silly" is very naive.

[Zorro]

84. So do you think Feinstein is being blackmailed

to make those statements regarding the increased threat of terrorism?

[Ace Acme]

85. I didn't say that. Why do you insist on living in a binary world? nt

[Pathwalker]

30. Mr. Rogers, does your wife still work for the MIC as a lobbyist?

n/t

[Laelth]

32. When is she going to retire?

It's a shame that California has only one reliable Senator. I eagerly await Kamala Harris, or just about any other Democrat, replacing Senator Feinstein.

-Laelth

[Xithras]

49. 2018

She's already 80, and has recently dropped a couple of hints suggesting that she won't run again once her current term is up. Her current term ends in 2018. Barring any age-related intervention, she'll be with us at least until then.

[Laelth]

56. Not what I wanted to hear, per se.

But thanks for giving me the scoop.



-Laelth

[pipoman]

87. Also given hints she is becoming demented..

[sendero]

34. You think?

You yap about capabilities, what about motivation? Every drone strike that kills a civilian is motivation. I'm absolutely certain the threat is increasing.

[winter is coming]

35. So, all that spying hasn't made us safer? Time to hang it up, then. n/t

[GoneFishin]

38. If her lobbyists, campaign donors, and husband were profiting from a war on killer bees she

would be telling us how the threat from killer bees is growing, while supporting programs to poke the hives with a stick.

What a joke.

[Doctor_J]

39. I know! More Pentagon spending, offset by more SNAP cuts! It never fails!

[AtheistCrusader]

40. More like the threat from their lobbyists is increasing.

[blkmusclmachine]

41. How much is DiFi and Rogers making off that industry?

Terra! Terra! Terra!

Scared yet?!?!

Threat level: "Brown"

[Xithras]

42. We drop bombs on Arab babies and use their anger as justification to drop more bombs.

"Reap what ye sow".

The problem with America is that we like to do a lot of sowing, but we bitch like hell when it comes time to reap. You can't kill other peoples children and then act shocked when they want to kill yours back.

[Ace Acme]

81. You nailed it. nt

[ReRe]

48. Fear, fear, fear, fearing fear.

So what does DiFi and Rep Rogers suggest we do? Be afraid, be very afraid?

Why shoud I be afraid? I don't have any enemies!

Seriously, WTF do they want We The People to do?

[DisgustipatedinCA]

86. They want us to accept NSA spying. They want us to shut up.

They're clear about it.

[Ace Acme]

89. What a legacy for a Senatorial Career!

She should have got an MBA instead.

[ReRe]

91. Ha! Fat chance!

Like dictators, they think they can just tell us to shut up and that we will just shut up?

[1000words]

50. There must be some rights that need taking away.

Which ones are left?

[Deep13]

51. Feinstein is a control freak. nt

[ancianita]

52. I've mistrusted this senator for the longest. This thread helps reinforce why.

[Nihil]

58. The thread also provides another useful service ...

... by showing everyone which posters upthread are actively supporting the right-wing
pro-NSA and pro-MIC talking points.

(Not that there were any surprises but it's still good to keep it in the open.)

[CanSocDem]

62. Indeed. (eom)

[Scuba]

57. ... with every drone.

[hatrack]

60. STFU, DiFi

Fucking retire already!

[Javaman]

61. fear, Fear, FEAR!!!

some guy once said, "we have nothing to fear but fear itself". Yeah, some guy.

we have fallen so far.

[Trillo]

64. Fear Porn

I've been trying to think of a time when there was not some huge scare lying in wait just around the next corner. I can't think of one.

How does this FEAR PORN help our supposedly inalienable right to 'pursuit of happiness'?

Perhaps the times or ages before electronics, TV, or radio, really were better times, as the only FEAR PORN one got was local. Now we get local, national, and international FEAR PORN, 24/7.

Enjoy?

[Titonwan]

65. These two deserve prison time

And the other filth that use spying for their own power designs.

[knic]

69. Does Feinstein know that the US drones are flying over Pakistan

Killing people (who are they?) every now and then?

[DCBob]

70. This got my attention.

I suspect there is some truth to this. I doubt she would simply be making this up or exaggerating for some personal gain.

[Arkana]

90. BOOGA BOOGA BOOGA!!!!