Posted on 06/11/2013 7:19:11 AM PDT by RummyChick
ST. PAUL (WCCO) — US Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., says he’s not surprised by revelations that federal security agencies collect phone and computer data on American citizens.
The National Security Agency secretly gathered personal data on Americans since 2007, including their internet use and cell phone service. It’s something Franken says he “was very well aware of.”
“I can assure you, this is not about spying on the American people,” Franken said.
Franken, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, says he got secret security briefings on the program and he says it prevented unspecified terrorist acts.
“I have a high level of confidence that this is used to protect us and I know that it has been successful in preventing terrorism,” Franken said.
Franken’s comments come one day after a former U.S. government intelligence worker, named Edward Snowden, identified himself as the person responsible for leaking documents about the program to a British Newspaper.
Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison told ABC News he has deep concerns and that very few members of Congress knew the extent of the secret surveillance.
“We need to peel it back and we need to make sure congress is considering the constitution when we write these laws,” Ellison said.
But Franken defends the secrecy of the program, saying the government is trying to strike a delicate balance between public right to safety and the public right to privacy.
“There are certain things that are appropriate for me to know that is not appropriate for the bad guys to know,” Franken said.
Franken said he believes it’s proper for the Justice Department to investigate the government worker who leaked the existence of the NSA program.
However, Franken did not answer our question on whether he thought the leaker should be extradited from Hong Kong and prosecuted.
drudge title
AL FRANKEN: ‘There Are Certain Things Appropriate For Me To Know That Is Not Appropriate For Bad Guys To Know’...
“he says it prevented unspecified terrorist acts.”
Just what were the “unspecified terrorist acts” ya’ buffoon? Tell us.
What about the 4th Amendment, you moron?
he gubmint is free to listen to your phone calls and read your emails...since these were not around at the time the 4th Amendment was incorporated, right?
Apparently that’s how The Regime reads it:
Justice Department Expands Hunt for Data on Cellphones
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/26/justice-department-expands-hunt-for-data-on-cellphones/
Obama’s NSA eavesdropping goes beyond that of Bush... after campaigning on the promise of: “ No warrantless wiretaps if you elect me!”
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9845595-7.html
The National Security Agency secretly gathered personal data on Americans since 2007...
Go back years and years is more like it-been going on since the 1990’s.
Bad Guys? really al you putz?....have you looked in a mirror???
What a coincidence. I have proof I am the second Coming of St. Peter but I cant talk about it because of natsec reasons. So all you people just accept my claim and moce on.
Al should be pat with all of this. He supports the Liberal one party government idea.
Note to Al....you ARE the bad guy.
Well that makes me feel better. I mean there is no reason to believe a government agency would target ordinary citizens.....
FUAF
Ellison vs Franken.
PURSE FIGHT!!!!
It didn’t ID the Boston Bombers. It didn’t slow down Hassan. It didn’t ID this nut case out in Santa Monica...
But it sure did find all those TEA Party donors and associated groups.
Senator “Watchdog” Franken was and is asleep during his watch.
It is the “perfect” libtard ploy, similar to “we created 4 million jobs” without any proof, but in this case, there must be evidence. Please, somebody at the NSA out that lying Franken.
Your daily interception with Stuart Smalley:
“You’re good enough, you’re nice enough, and gosh darn it, people like you. People in Pakistan, apparently.”
Franken in a liberal poster boy. I don’t think even liberals will like his spying endorsement of Americans.
Everything about him screams "crook."
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