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German spy chiefs to head to U.S. as phone-tapping dispute widens

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IF the US was the ONLY country doing it, I can't say anything, but they ALL do it, ALL of them regardless of the level, that's why this whole thing stinks of ultra-hypocrisy! Utter BS.

@bass4funk--Somehow I figured you for a "might makes right" type of guy even before you posted this.

I myself would not classify having recorded files of world leader's telephone conversations as merely "better capabilities". In my mind, even with my open government feelings, a line has been crossed. That is because people cannot be scrutinized every waking moment and deal well with the sort of stress that presents. But documents should certainly be available near 100 percent.

I might find it odd that you are so down on Snowden and Manning, but so pro-U.S. spying on allies, but, your politics are clear. Its not hypocrisy to you because you don't value the principles that would make it so. You are pro-U.S. government and everything else comes second.

I could live with U.S. spying on allies if they were sharing the info with the world and at least shared this tech with our allies, or better yet, just stop keeping all these secrets that are not necessary for our safety and run counter to the principles of democracy and open government. But they are not doing any of these things.

The much more important hypocrisy and B.S. here is with the U.S. government. The hypocrisy of these European nations is but a hill of beans compared to it, at least from the viewpoint of people who value principles over "the home team".

Of course I condemn the European nations for not granting asylum to Snowden. But I condemn the U.S. much much more because the U.S. is the place that came down on him in the first place.

Sorry pal, but the U.S. government stinks and the rest of the world should isolate it.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

All countries spy on both their friends and enemies, the U.S. just has better technical capabilities than most. Former French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner summed it up well last week in a French radio interview when he said, "The magnitude of the eavesdropping is what shocked us. Let’s be honest, we eavesdrop too. Everyone is listening to everyone else." The difference, he added, is that "we don’t have the same means as the United States — which makes us jealous."

The French are the last people to complain about spying, they have been spying on the US for years and because the US has better spying techniques and capabilities? Come on! Just something more for the liberal media gobble up for the masses to continue the typical rhetoric of US bashing. Now that they don't have Bush to kick around, they need something else to keep the bashing going on and they found it with this. IF the US was the ONLY country doing it, I can't say anything, but they ALL do it, ALL of them regardless of the level, that's why this whole thing stinks of ultra-hypocrisy! Utter BS.

http://www.france24.com/en/20131024-nsa-france-spying-squarcini-dcri-hollande-ayrault-merkel-usa-obama

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Obama is developing his own world police state. He has the NSA spying on the bad guys - that's cool. But that's not good enough for the Messiah. He is also listening to the phone calls and internet traffic of American citizens and the leaders of America's closest allies.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/10407282/Barack-Obama-approved-tapping-Angela-Merkels-phone-3-years-ago.html

He is also forcing American's to give the Federal government your most personal and private information in order to get health care. If you don't he will sick the IRS on you.

Just call him Barack "Big Brother" Obama.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

All countries spy on both their friends and enemies, the U.S. just has better technical capabilities than most. Former French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner summed it up well last week in a French radio interview when he said, "The magnitude of the eavesdropping is what shocked us. Let’s be honest, we eavesdrop too. Everyone is listening to everyone else." The difference, he added, is that "we don’t have the same means as the United States — which makes us jealous."

1 ( +2 / -1 )

So that they can learn something new about spying? Why isn't Putin complaining? Because he expects it and knows that all countries are involved in spying on each other. He is the master of it.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

And the beat goes on with the liberals once again trolling about something that EVERY country does. If ya'll want to do some American bashing, just do it, but please don't hide under the guise of pretending that you are all disturbed about this. But yes, I do feel like as long as the liberals are in charge, we are most definitely living in a dictatorship.

@Barakumin

With friends like The Europeans, seriously, who needs enemies.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I am having a really hard time believing those in Europe responsible for knowing this kind of thing haven't know about this for quite some time...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

With "friends" like Americans - who needs enemies? But I'm sure they will dress this disgrace up as "having to play the role of World Police" and "protect freedom". Shame on America.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The USA has become the USSA. Denial of the fact beginning in 3,2.1....

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Ouch! The US is starting to look more like a dictatorship day after day. Illegal invasions are not illegal, illegal drone strikes are not illegal, spying on your friends and reading the emails and listening to phone conversations of your own people even is not illegal... bring out the black boots and raise out that right arm, people.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

I want to commend Ed Snowden for letting countries & particularly the citizens of USA know about the spying action by NSA. As a result of the information being disseminated around the world this will encourage other countries to follow suit in order to protect their home land. In lieu of constant threats & spying on other countries, there is more need for honesty & diplomacy! The action alleged by the NSA should be terminated immediately as all it does is to encourage leaders of foreign country to mistrust but also other countries that might be doing the same. Best, Leaders protect their homeland & border areas.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Merkley-chan should grant Snowden asylum and protection. Provide him with a few women, too.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

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