The White house collecting information from social networking sites

Isobel - posted on 09/18/2009

Quoting Traci:

Quoting Laura:

yup...but when it comes to the government, I find it humorous that some of us are so self-absorbed as to actually believe that the government cares what on earth we are doing.

Well, if that's how you feel, I sure hope you weren't part of the loud crowd who cried when the Bush admin. listened in on convos between suspected terrorists.....

I've already stated that this IS the patriot act...I should think you all would have had enough time to get used to it since Bush was the one who made this legal...Oh right, I forgot, it was OK when Bush was doing it, just not Obama

Amie - posted on 09/18/2009

Thank you Christa, that was helpful.

I still don't completely understand though. Your rights would still be in place but by finding out what the every day person is really worried about the WH has a better opportunity and understanding of what needs to be looked at.

They are not saying you can't say that, you're going to jail. < That would be a breech of the first amendment. And yes I agree you would have bigger issues if that came to pass.

They are trying to get a better cross section of what people are actually thinking and saying about Obama's policies. I would have no problem with this if the Harper government did it. We obviously have different views though, surprise, surprise. haha.

And as Dana said about it, the rest is speculation right now.

Dana - posted on 09/18/2009

Quoting Christa:

Quoting dana:

 

The White House is keeping records of THEIR FB pages, MySpace pages,etc. not YOURS.  Everything that goes on in the White House is on record, every conversation is recorded.  What is the difference here?  If were a different president would you still feel the same.  Seriously take the time to think about that.

 

Dana, I think the problem is there is an opening for it to be expanded to those who just make comments about the President or his policies on their pages.  Like most of our laws there seems to be a loophole.

 

"NLPC warns, "[V]irtually any mentioning the president or the administration could become subject to collection and archiving under the act. This is not out of an 'abundance of caution,' but out of an over-abundance of power. President Obama should make sure that this plan goes no further." "

Yes, the NLPC  WARNS, Virtually any communication mentioning the president or the administration COULD become subject to collection and archiving under the act. 

It's all speculation, all of it.

Dana - posted on 09/18/2009

Quoting Christa:

Quoting dana:

 

The White House is keeping records of THEIR FB pages, MySpace pages,etc. not YOURS.  Everything that goes on in the White House is on record, every conversation is recorded.  What is the difference here?  If were a different president would you still feel the same.  Seriously take the time to think about that.

 

Dana, I think the problem is there is an opening for it to be expanded to those who just make comments about the President or his policies on their pages.  Like most of our laws there seems to be a loophole.

 

"NLPC warns, "[V]irtually any mentioning the president or the administration could become subject to collection and archiving under the act. This is not out of an 'abundance of caution,' but out of an over-abundance of power. President Obama should make sure that this plan goes no further." "

Yes, the NLPC  WARNS, Virtually any communication mentioning the president or the administration COULD become subject to collection and archiving under the act. 

It's all speculation, all of it.

Brenda - posted on 09/18/2009

I have nothing to hide, but I do care if the govt is going to try and use this to take away my 1st amendment rights. End of story!

Dana - posted on 09/18/2009

Quoting Maleasha:

I'm done discussing it with you. I respect your point of view, but you are Canadian, and I don't expect you to understand. You probably have no formal education on our constitution and our policies. All you have is what you read on the internet and what is said on TV and I'm sorry, but neither has unbiased points of views.

The White House is keeping records of THEIR FB pages, MySpace pages,etc. not YOURS.  Everything that goes on in the White House is on record, every conversation is recorded.  What is the difference here?  If were a different president would you still feel the same.  Seriously take the time to think about that. 

I also find your comments to Amie quite rude and your second sentence is an oxymoron.

. - posted on 09/18/2009

I don't see what the big deal is anyway, your telephone calls are monitored so is your internet usage. Some one is always watching you.



How do you think the British Police unfoiled the terrorist plot to detanate liquid bombs (hidden in drink bottles) on board air planes recently? = listening in on telephone calls!



I agree with most of what is being said on here, if your got nothing to hide, then why worry?

Amie - posted on 09/18/2009

Right because heaven forbid that our education system teach us anything. As I have a few friends in the states they are quite pleased with the education system in Canada. My school started teaching me about the USA in grade 3. What did you learn about Canada? Oh right nothing... the states has this abhorrent trend to focus on just themselves.

I asked a valid question. If you can't answer it don't post.

Maleasha - posted on 09/17/2009

I'm done discussing it with you. I respect your point of view, but you are Canadian, and I don't expect you to understand. You probably have no formal education on our constitution and our policies. All you have is what you read on the internet and what is said on TV and I'm sorry, but neither has unbiased points of views.

Amie - posted on 09/17/2009

It is ok to be concerned Maleasha but really, read a few of the responses on this thread. It gets ridiculous.

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

So how is monitoring people a breach of that?

You are not losing your rights to religion, you are not losing your rights to free speech or press, you are not losing your rights to peacefully assemble nor are you losing your rights to petition the government to make amends for a grievance.

I truly do not understand the logic.

Maleasha - posted on 09/17/2009

This is an infringement on our 1st amendment rights. I'm not up in arms, I have nothing to hide, but I don't agree with it. Why make an archive of what people are saying on social networks, if they don't plan on using it? And I think everyone needs to calm down, that includes liberals. We all no that we disagree on most of the topics that we discuss and I have seen people on both sides up in arms. And I don't think it's ridiculous for someone to state their point of views. It's ok to be concerned about what is happening.

Amie - posted on 09/17/2009

How is monitoring people unconstitutional?
I want it in writing.
I looked up the 1st amendment, nothing about it in there.

I am not concerned, it's just getting ridiculous how everything has people up in arms. Really calm down before all of you have a heart attack.

Maleasha - posted on 09/17/2009

I don't give a ratsa** if they know what I'm doing. I have nothing to hide, I've done nothing illegal except for oppose the President. If that makes me a criminal, so be it, toss me in jail. The reason why so many people are probably outraged about this, is because it is unconstitutional. And what is your big deal if people are concerned about this?

Amie - posted on 09/17/2009

Reading these replies has got me thinking....
If you're not a homegrown terrorist, if you are doing nothing illegal, etc.
WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL?

Seriously... Get a grip. If you don't want the government checking up on you there is something you are hiding. Sorry but that's just obvious. Not to mention the fact do you have any idea how many people would need to hire on to take on that feat?

Ok let's say just 5% of the US population is on FB, myspace, twitter, etc.
That number is roughly 15 million people. FIFTEEN MILLION. And that's only if 5% of the country is on any one of these sites. (I suspect more to be honest) Not to mention all the lap over since the majority of teenagers have accounts with each one of these social networking sites.
That is one hefty job to keep track of all those people on a daily basis. I wonder how many people you would need for a job like that? There are programmers who can build software to automatically do these things but then you still need staff on hand in any case. Whole new job market opening up! Be happy! It might end the recession completely, all these jobs opening up watching the lowly every day American Joe and Jane.


How's this for an idea? You don't want the government to know what you are doing. Ok let's :
Log off the computer.
Cancel all utilities.
Close all bank accounts.
Sell the house. (mortgage and property taxes, etc. Can get at you that way!)
Get rid of the vehicles.
Get rid of all ID. (but that one since you already have it they have you on file for life so too late but the gesture is nice)
Get rid of all credit cards.
Get rid of the cell phone.
Cancel any and all insurance.
Pull the kids out of school.
Stop going to the doctor,optometrist,dentist, etc. (or start paying cash for all things)
Quit your job. (oh shoot guess you can't pay cash can you?)

Move to the middle of nowhere and hope and pray you can make it completely off the grid.

*eye roll*

It's not as easy as it once was to "get off the grid".

Traci - posted on 09/17/2009

Quoting Laura:

yup...but when it comes to the government, I find it humorous that some of us are so self-absorbed as to actually believe that the government cares what on earth we are doing.

Well, if that's how you feel, I sure hope you weren't part of the loud crowd who cried when the Bush admin. listened in on convos between suspected terrorists.....

. - posted on 09/17/2009

Quoting Laura:

yup...but when it comes to the government, I find it humorous that some of us are so self-absorbed as to actually believe that the government cares what on earth we are doing.

There was a guy in my country a few years who was talking on the phone, he ended up being able to hear another phone conversation (through his phone call), heard of illegal activity that was being planned, reported it, and he was the one who got in the *shit* for it.

Isobel - posted on 09/17/2009

yup...but when it comes to the government, I find it humorous that some of us are so self-absorbed as to actually believe that the government cares what on earth we are doing.

. - posted on 09/17/2009

You are part of Big Brother everday, your phone calls and internet usage are all monitered.

Even when you apply for jobs, some employers check social networking sites to get insight about you before they have an interview with you, if you put unpleasant pics up (example doing something silly while your at a party) then no one will hire you.

Jenny - posted on 09/17/2009

We (regardless of country) have been monitored for a very long time. Since the internet was invented and even before that. There is no "getting off the grid" anymore. I think we would all be shocked to know just how much information is floating around about us we don't even know about. My son's new BC has a barcode on it and my new drivers license will contain a chip. My cell phone has GPS (which I've disabled). OnStar, street level cameras, digital cameras in phones and elsewhere, YouTube. We've (all) already lost on this topic, there's no going back.

Amie - posted on 09/17/2009

Quoting Brenda:

Well, obviously this convo as digressed seriously and warrants no further comment from me.

Then why even make this comment if you had nothing to say?

Brenda - posted on 09/17/2009

Well, obviously this convo as digressed seriously and warrants no further comment from me.

Isobel - posted on 09/17/2009

everything's real EXCEPT climate change...you guys kill me

Dana - posted on 09/17/2009

Wow, when you put it all together Laura, it sounds hilarious lmao

Isobel - posted on 09/17/2009

:P...i've got lots, been storing 'em up! (haven't you heard, Hitler is in charge, the government is reading COM, Our kids are being turned against us, and the end of the world is coming)!

Traci - posted on 09/17/2009

Maybe you could lend her one of yours, Laura... :) LOL

Dana - posted on 09/17/2009

WHAT do you mean, turned into who?

Brenda - posted on 09/17/2009

I have been contacted Dana. I have already been turned in.

And Laura, I'm sick of your snide comments when you don't even live here. =P

As much as I would love to debate more with you, I have other things of to get done today.

Isobel - posted on 09/17/2009

time to buy the foil hats everyone ;)

Dana - posted on 09/17/2009

Brenda, what on earth are you talking about when you say "I know I have already been turned in."?!

Isobel - posted on 09/17/2009

:(... I recommend doing it now...I promise you are being monitored. I can't believe you are courageous enough to say things against such a terrible and tyrannical government...BOO

Brenda - posted on 09/17/2009

If it get's to that point, Alison, I will definitely be getting 'off the grid'. =)

Alison - posted on 09/17/2009

I can see where Brenda is coming from, it's not right, but we live in a surveillance society. There's not really much we can do about it. Our details are everywhere and that’s just the way it is. There is only one way to preserve your privacy; get rid of technology and be self sufficient. I’m not prepared to go down that road yet, but it’s something I wouldn‘t mind trying. lol

Cathy - posted on 09/17/2009

The White House is collecting and storing comments and videos placed on its social-networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.....

Not everyone elses!

Isobel - posted on 09/17/2009

this is the patriot act...what do you not understand about this? thank bush

Brenda - posted on 09/17/2009

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009...



It's not just government pages. It is social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace, Youtube, and COM's! Really, this doesn't bother you libs at all? You have got to be kidding me! This is worse than the Patriot Act! I HUGE invasion into our privacy to try and shut the opposition's mouths and take away our 1st amendment rights.



I didn't completely agree with the Patriot Act. I felt they could find a way to gather pertinent info without monitoring everyday citizens, but chose not to.



But this goes way beyond it. In the Washington Times article, the opening paragraph spells it out, "The White House is collecting and storing comments and videos placed on its social-networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube without notifying or asking the consent of the site users, a failure that appears to run counter to President Obama's promise of a transparent government and his pledge to protect privacy on the Internet."

Isobel - posted on 09/17/2009

PS...Google has never erased a single google search...ever. The Bush Whitehouse used this information to decide (illegally) who to hire based on homosexual, liberal, and muslim searches...Your government has abused this power, not the one that's in power right now.

Isobel - posted on 09/17/2009

First of all, thank Bush for that, he was the one who made it legal for the American Government to spy on it's own people without cause or reason.

Second of all...Any country that is not monitoring social networking sites is stupid...if terrorists are communicating over facebook, twitter, and myspace then the governments and legal enforcement agencies need to be there too.

Anything people choose to send out on a public forum should be fair game to all legal enforcement agencies.

Cathy - posted on 09/17/2009

The government keeping records of government pages? Sorry I just don't get the problem. Unless you're sending Obama death threats on the official White House facebook page, I doubt you need to worry.

ME - posted on 09/17/2009

OMG!!! I saw this on another thread under a conspiracy theory heading of sorts...I thought it was a joke...you guys are too much...I'm not "friends" with any politicians, so I guess I won't worry...

Traci - posted on 09/17/2009

That is so 1984! Oh man, Brenda....you KNOW they've got stuff collected from us! Where is all the outrage from the libs on this one? It's not okay for Bush to listen to TERRORISTS colluding, but it IS okay to the White House to keep records of what we say to eachother on social networking sites??? HELLO ACLU! It's time to actually fight for something more worthwhile than NAMBLA!!! This gov't is outta control.

Amie - posted on 09/16/2009

I don't see what the big deal is. If your worried don't post on the White House Page or any other page that may be run by the politicians. It is that simple. Nowhere did I read they are going into personal accounts and taking your information.

As for the cookies, there is an easy way to fix that, my computer automatically deletes all cookies every time I close my browser window.

Maleasha - posted on 09/16/2009

Do they really think this is going to shut up the opposing view? It's only going to make us louder. This is just pathetic.