Comment Re:If it were a "modest" encroachment, ... (Score 1) 341
You have to read between the lines a bit. Their system is to store all metadata AND to record all phone calls. They can then go to a judge and get a warrant for calls that took place in the past, and (having previously recorded them) pull them up at will.
And metadata is a very broad term that encompases all data excluding the original. For example, "metadata" for a phone call would include electronically generated transcripts of the phone call. In theory (and probably practice) some algorithm scans these transcripts for keywords; on a match, they get a rubber stamp from a in-house judge, and then pass the records on to a human to do the real work.
Basically, someone figured out that you can use computers to wiretap the whole nation, and then did it. The whole constitution, legal framework, and morality be damned.
Comment Re:Mommy... (Score 1) 1435
This is true in many other governments, but in the USA, the government has no right or ability except what is stated in the agreement with the people (aka Constitution). It specifies exactly what the government can do, and anything not specified is off-limits at the federal level and reserved to the states and the people. The first 10 amendments were largely considered redundant when they were passed, because they were just naming specifics cases of things that were off-limits. A favorite quote from James Iredell (a Justice from the first US Supreme Court):
It would be not only useless, but dangerous, to enumerate a number of rights which are not intended to be given up; because it would be implying, in the strongest manner, that every right not included in the exception might be impaired by the government without usurption; and it would be impossible to enumerate every one. Let any one make what collection or enumeration of rights he pleases, I will immediately mention twenty or thirty more rights not contained in it.
Nowadays, any constitutional restrictions are largely worked around, or completely ignored, by all three branches of federal government. There was originally a check in place to counter expansion of federal power vs state soverenty, but that was removed with the adoption of the 17th amendment.
Comment Re:Gingrich & Huckabee Weigh In (Score 1) 1168
Comment Re:Gingrich & Huckabee Weigh In (Score 2) 1168
Comment Re:videogames are like #3 or lower on that list (Score 1) 1168
The problem is not guns or games, but mental health - a much larger, and more difficult issue.
Comment Re:One More Baby Step to Global Sharia Law (Score 3, Interesting) 678
Comment Re:Guns (Score 1) 213
What's that, ol' chap? Knife crime?
Blimey! Well, by my impeccible logic, I am sure that if you remove knifes from society...
Comment Re:very simple lesson from this (Score 5, Funny) 235
ExxonMobil = Arson enabler.
Louisville Slugger = Mugging enabler.
Pacific Lumber Company = Mugging enabler enabler.
Slashdot = Trolling enabler.
Comment Re:Dismiss every drug case (Score 1) 242
Comment Re:The big question that must be answered (Score 1) 784
Comment Re:This is not capitalism (Score 1) 686
Just a thought to consider.
Submission + - RIAA Backs Down Again in Chicago
Submission + - AMD's 'Frantic Price Cuts' May Pressure Intel
Submission + - Is there any reason to report spammers to ISP's?
In recent years, however, I haven't gotten any responses.
Are the ISP's so overwhelmed with abuse reports to respond to ANYBODY that reports spam? Do they even bother acting on the reports?
Is there any real reason to report spammers?