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Indi Guy

(3,992 posts)
Fri Oct 11, 2013, 05:35 PM Oct 2013

NSA Veterans: The White House Is Hanging Us Out to Dry

Last edited Fri Oct 11, 2013, 09:54 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Foreign Policy

Gen. Keith Alexander and his senior leadership team at the National Security Agency are angry and dispirited by what they see as the White House's failure to defend the spy agency against criticism of its surveillance programs, according to four people familiar with the NSA chiefs' thinking. The top brass of the country's biggest spy agency feels they've been left twisting in the wind, abandoned by the White House and left largely to defend themselves in public and in Congress against allegations of unconstitutional spying on Americans.

Former intelligence officials closely aligned with the NSA criticized President Obama for saying little publicly to defend the agency, and for not emphasizing that some leaked or officially disclosed documents arguably show the NSA operating within its legal authorities.

"There has been no support for the agency from the President or his staff or senior administration officials, and this has not gone unnoticed by both senior officials and the rank and file at the Fort," said Joel Brenner, the NSA's one-time inspector general, referring to the agency's headquarters at Ft. Meade, Maryland.

The weak backing from top administration officials has aggravated the relationship between Alexander and the White House, where he has never been warmly embraced. The NSA now finds itself without the strong, visible support of the President at a time of extraordinary political vulnerability, with the agency's secrets laid bare and its future in doubt....



Read more: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/10/10/nsa_veterans_the_white_house_is_hanging_us_out_to_dry

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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NSA Veterans: The White House Is Hanging Us Out to Dry (Original Post) Indi Guy Oct 2013 OP
Glad somebody is. n/t Downtown Hound Oct 2013 #1
I have little to no sympathy for the NSA. christx30 Oct 2013 #2
Hey, Buster, you don't think your violation of the Fourth Amendment has anything to do with it? Warpy Oct 2013 #3
Befehl-ist-Befehl AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #9
Maybe Mr. Obama Turbineguy Oct 2013 #4
dear whiny bastard--try actually reading and understanding the constitution, and then, maybe, niyad Oct 2013 #5
Yeah right, OneCrazyDiamond Oct 2013 #6
Link: muriel_volestrangler Oct 2013 #7
Thanks... Indi Guy Oct 2013 #13
He should know, not everyone is sympathetic to the Befehl-ist-Befehl defense. AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #8
Why is a General surprised to see the WH not heavily support something Blue_Tires Oct 2013 #10
If we really have people this pitiful in positions of power, we are in big trouble. He needs to... rwsanders Oct 2013 #11
Trying hard to give a fuck ... 1000words Oct 2013 #12
To quote Mr. Cheney: "So?" bemildred Oct 2013 #14

Warpy

(111,235 posts)
3. Hey, Buster, you don't think your violation of the Fourth Amendment has anything to do with it?
Fri Oct 11, 2013, 05:41 PM
Oct 2013

Honestly, the way these guys are whining, it reminds me of bankers who've been caught with their hands in the till--"You can't mean US! Why the whole system would fall apart without us! You can't do this to us!"

Maybe some systems need to fall apart so they can be rebuilt without the deluded and dishonest running them.

niyad

(113,229 posts)
5. dear whiny bastard--try actually reading and understanding the constitution, and then, maybe,
Fri Oct 11, 2013, 05:49 PM
Oct 2013

just MAYBE, you might understand what the fuss is about. what in the HELL is wrong with you people that you can defend your massive, intrusive spying on US???

OneCrazyDiamond

(2,031 posts)
6. Yeah right,
Fri Oct 11, 2013, 05:51 PM
Oct 2013

The President did state numerous times that no one is reading your email, and the people who do this work are dedicated to protecting America.

Also, this is security related. Doesn't The President have obligations on what can be said about security related matters.

Blue_Tires

(55,445 posts)
10. Why is a General surprised to see the WH not heavily support something
Fri Oct 11, 2013, 06:17 PM
Oct 2013

that is incredibly unpopular right now?

bemildred

(90,061 posts)
14. To quote Mr. Cheney: "So?"
Sat Oct 12, 2013, 08:33 AM
Oct 2013

I mean look Buddy, if anybody deserves an ass-whuppin in this country, it's you, so get used to it, it's coming. I realize you-all are not in the reality based community, but believe me, we ARE still out here.

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