Government spies on reporters using WW1 Espionage act

[Tchocky]

As GT goes, yes yes it's necessary.

[AVGWarhawk]

My thoughts are that spying is more widespread than we think.

I think the journalists should get the same treatment as Manning, how dare they leak confidential information

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

My thoughts are that spying is more widespread than we think.

I'm sure you're right. Someone mentioned in another thread the concept that people who work with laws usually manage to feel that they are above the law.

[edit] It was Armistead. "I think the problem is, those with authority often tend to think they're above authority."

I'm reminded of an early Saturday Night Live skit in which Garrett Morris storms into an FBI office, demanding to see everything they have on him. Dan Aykroyde denies over and over having ever even heard of him. Morris finally leaves, convinced they have nothing on him at all. As soon as he's gone Aykroyd pages his secretary and says "Get me everything you can find on a Garrett Morris!"

Probably not so far from the truth.

[WernherVonTrapp]

I remember back in (I think) the mid to late 90s, I attended a course for Advanced Criminal Investigations sponsored by the United States Department of Criminal Justice/FBI. If I remember correctly at that time, it hadn't been long since cell phones went from a backpack battery and brick sized phone to the smaller handheld versions. I'm sure it's old news now but even back then, before the advent of GPS phones, they were able to triangulate your cellphone conversations and get a pretty accurate fix on a users location, anywhere in the world. According to the FBI agent advising us of this, it was not common knowledge at the time and was not for public dissemination.

I'm not paranoid about the government eavesdropping on me or watching me. I've never had direct cause to be concerned. The media is the media and has to keep it's shareholders happy by printing articles that they're sure someone will want to read. I'm not suggesting that it has no bearing on whether it's fact or not but that's what they do. They sell a product, which just happens to be "The News". Personally, it seems to me that the media is becoming more and more like paparazzi than objective journalism/reporting, but that's my opinion. I've been interviewed by the media, had statements printed and have been photographed by them.

Do I trust the government? Now that's a completely different perspective of mine. Right now, I'm not afraid of the Government. Back in my early years in Law Enforcement, I was sometimes astonished by things I learned they were capable of (regarding investigative reach/power). Nothing would surprise me now.