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Greenwald writes: "It is unsurprising that the 9/11 attack fostered a massive expansion of America's already sprawling Surveillance State. But what is surprising, or at least far less understandable, is that this growth shows no signs of abating even as we approach almost a full decade of emotional and temporal distance from that event."

The US Air Force has purchased 2,200 PS3s to throw into a supercomputing cluster. The cell-powered PS3s are to be used for research in 'urban surveillance,' 12/05/09. (photo: Mark Barnell/Mayer/USAF)

Comments

+4 # Guest 2010-08-10 22:02

Well, I have been telling people for years that this has been going on - it really is no secret! So, where is the best place to keep such information so that it won't be as detectable? Out in the open, of course, for "out in the open" has to be "OK," right? Americans just don't "get" it at all. Their xenophobia is more important than their freedom as well as security.

I can only thank most Americans for their lack of tenacity as well as understanding when it comes to what they "think" is their God-given freedom which is neither God-given nor freedom at all . . .

+4 # Guest 2010-08-11 01:31

Its not surprising. Its the New 'Normal' in The Corporate Run American Corporatacracy.

The American Government and The American People are now the OVER-DEREGULATED, OVER-DE-TAXED Global Corporate World's Cash Cows, Golden Geese, Things To Squeeze Dry without restraint.

You see, the new political animal known as the NeoCONservative Corporatists who swept into power during the Reagan Years, methodically and systematically set about convincing MILLIONS of Americans to dismantle the very Government (of Ourselves) which built the Middle Class and America's Preeminence in the world.

They 'CONvinced' Americans that our very own Government of Ourselves was actually some alien, evil, oppressive creature incapable of doing anything but harm to everyone and that WE should destroy it by Deregulating and De-Taxing it to death. And so it goes.

WAK LAH! Success!

Look around-- This is what CONservative Success looks like.

A CORPORATACRACY!

+1 # Guest 2010-08-11 07:37

Exactly, Anyse! The sainted E A Poe wrote about the purloined letter - best hidden in its most natural spot, right on the desk among other papers. When the GDR collapsed warehouses full of unread spy reports were found. There just aren't enough people to read the tons and tons of subversive secrets produced every day, are there! However, worse are the measures taken to control subversive THINKING - the Orwellian thought police aka Homeland Security aka the Republican Party - ultimately have only one option - eliminate the brain that thinks these thoughts. That's where we're heading. Pete Edler, Stockholm

+2 # Guest 2010-08-11 07:46

Perhaps the " Ministry of Surveillance" is collecting these comments even as I type! Empire, true empire, such as what we live in now, knows no limits, either in terms of its geographic and logistical ambitions nor in its desire to "control" those that exist under its umbrella. American Presidents from here on out will ALL keep expanding on these policies until the empire folds in upon itself. Orwell and others foresaw this years ago when observing the abuses of the Soviet system. The Soviet government, our "former" mortal enemy. In many ways our own government is just a pale reflection of what was used to scare us for decades. Now that "enemy" is a lot closer to home.

+2 # Guest 2010-08-11 09:20

As longas the American people do not protest in very large numbers, call their reps in very large numbers things will not change. When it was proposed that social security be privatized the outcry was so strong that they with drew that idea. When Obama wanted to privatize public housing recently the outcry was so large that they shelved that plan. We must take responsibility for our inaction. We voted Obama in and he has turned out to be a disappointment. The question is why? perhaps we have a shadow govt that is calling the shots?

+2 # Guest 2010-08-11 17:42

The thing about fascist Police States is they don't care what the vast majority of the populace wants. Just look at the recent bank bailouts and the health reform debacle.

+1 # Guest 2010-08-11 11:22

The "shadow government" are the international banksters. We need to get the banksters out of the governance business!
Thomas Jefferson
1."If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their Fathers conquered."
3."The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs."
After Jackson killed the central bank, he became the Only president Ever to pay off the national debt!!
Congress needs to do its Constitutional duty and retake control of the monetary system! The current PRIVATELY-run Federal Reserve prints Our money and charges us interest to use it, and its backed by Nothing! Treasury should print Our money at 0% interest.

0 # Guest 2010-08-13 10:45

East Germany had a Stasi, citizens spying on citizens; we have a Hybrid Stasi, citizens paid to use computers to spy on citizens.

The pay is probably better, but the service has lost its personal touch.

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