op ed in NY TIMES about Clapper lying

[xiamiam]

Making Alberto Gonzales Look Good

By ANDREW ROSENTHAL


Government officials employ various tactics to avoid actually saying anything at intelligence hearings, mostly by fogging up the room with references to national security and with vague generalities. It’s part of a dance, which the public and the media may grumble about but which we also expect.

Outright lying is another matter.

On March 12, James Clapper, director of national intelligence, testified at an open congressional hearing. Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon, asked him whether the National Security Agency collects “any type of data at all on millions or hundreds of millions of Americans.”

His answer: “No sir.” Then he added: “Not wittingly.”
http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/making-alberto-gonzales-look-good/

I'm sorry but I just think he should not be allowed to get away with it. It irritates the crap out of me that he is defended by Feinstein and the Obama administration for this bold faced lie..it just diminishes the whole point of having a congressional oversight committee or even a congress for that matter. Its a small point in light of the whole shebang but it just pisses me off that he can lie to congress and just get away with it..for all of us to see and be asked to accept. I don't accept it. I don't care who he is.

[Democracyinkind]

1. "Not get away with it?" Why?

As the article points out at the start, he did what was expected of him, what he is paid to do. This performance art is basically his job.
These NS hearings have always been mere Kabuki devoid of any meaning. Even the famous ones in the 70s. Nothing but smoke and mirrors. This administration has shown itself a strong supporter of the NS State, even some of the Bushier parts thereof. Kinda unfair to blame it on Clapper.

*The problem is institutional and ideological and does not have that much to do with human resources. I liked the article, though. Thanks for posting...

*add: economical, imperial, systemic, educational, etc. if you feel so inclined.

[xiamiam]

3. I'm so old fashioned I believe in truth..silly, naive I know

I live my life that way and have for more than 6 decades. Kabuki devoid of any meaning as you say is what happens when the truth is no longer important. I don't see how a legitimate next step can ever be realized without truth.

[WillyT]

2. K & R !!!

[bvar22]

4. For a stunning video of Gen Clapper LYING to Wyden, go here:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-june-10-2013/good-news--you-re-not-paranoid---nsa-oversight

THAT excuse, that the NSA must report to Congress and inform them of their activities,
was paraded around DU to rationalize the legality of the NSA spying on Americans.

General Clappers denial was also used to "prove" that there was no spying on Americans.



You will know them by their WORKS.