Philly janitor knows important people

[Kimberly]

And boy are they talkative
 

Sun Jun 9, 2013, 12:12 PM

Star Member PCIntern (13,894 posts)

I will tell you what I've been told for many years:
   
Last edited Sun Jun 9, 2013, 12:18 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

I am professionally acquainted with a gentleman who used to work in National Security, followed by a stint in the Philadelphia Police Department at a very very high level, followed by a return to an unnamed Federal Service.

He told me, without any bluster or hesitation, that if an individual uses certain words in a telephone conversation or email, that it will automatically trigger a red flag and that flag will be investigated. Whether law enforcement decides to pay you a visit or not depends upon other issues which he would not go into. He did state that this has been ongoing since well before 9/11/2001.

He is not a BS artist or a wannabe. This fellow has connections to incidents of which I am aware, having known him for over twenty years, which I would not dare mention here.

I mention this because I am quite frankly amazed at the surprise and outrage by so many that this is actually going on. Of course it's going on and of course the Administration stands by it. It is a fundamental protocol of the country in which we live - how many Intelligence movies do you have to see, or Ludlum-esque books which you have to read, or quite frankly, news reports about conversations gleaned from surveillance until you realize that this is a given, and is not going to be stopped ever. By anyone. The Republicans are using it against "us" and we are in general, so stupid as to allow them to run roughshod over "us" once again, and we will most certainly oblige them and slit our own wrists one more time. Instead, since it is a given that this will continue despite message-board protesting, the better response might be that of Harrison Ford's character as Jack Ryan where instead of avoiding it, says that we embrace it. It completely disarms the other side, and since we are going to live with it in any case, deemphasizes it as a political issue.

Yes yes, I can hear you now...it's an abrogation of our rights. It is. You're right. Go after the Dems on this and every other issue like the triangulating Rethugs want you to do, and you'll be on the Board in four years hyperventillatingly criticizing President Paul and rending your clothes at the prospect of REAL fascism encroaching. If we would even be able to HAVE a board

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Response to PCIntern (Original post)

Sun Jun 9, 2013, 04:49 PM

nadinbrzezinski (121,032 posts)

44. I will take the longer view


What I am reading in your posts, not one, all of them...is the kind of defeat that people who have lived in police states take. It's a survival mechanism. It is the we can't fight it, and we need to live our lives...so nothing to see here.

I can't say I blame you. It's normal. It won't be your generation or mine that in the end will rise against oppression. But that day will come. I can't tell you when, but it will...no police state lives forever.

For the momemt, I expect you to take te same kinds of steps that others have taken...give completely off and no longer care, except your personal circle. It's tempting I admit.

For the record, I know a few intel types. I know that white noise generators are not science fiction, for example, (hi guys) and I have been told the same by these types. I made my choice, you made yours and that is that.

Uh, what?   

Response to nadinbrzezinski (Reply #44)

Sun Jun 9, 2013, 04:57 PM

Star Member PCIntern (13,894 posts)

47. Maybe you're right...I hope so.

Certainly not in my lifetime....

I would posit that if the members of DU took over, we'd keep that surveillance stuff in place to watch over our enemies at FR.

So you're as petty and vindictive as the Obama administration attacking the Tea Party with the IRS.

 

Response to PCIntern (Reply #47)

Sun Jun 9, 2013, 04:59 PM

nadinbrzezinski (121,032 posts)

48. No doubt in my mind

Partisans are a special despicable breed...no matter "what side they are on."

I just love this 180 degree turnaround. During Bush's presidency they're all complain-y and protest-y and foaming at the mouth in rage. But now we've got a dem as president, meh.  Spying on the internet? Secret data collecting? Suddenly their spines are jelly. Can't do nothing, it's no big deal:

Response to southernyankeebelle (Reply #29)

Sun Jun 9, 2013, 04:24 PM

Star Member PCIntern (13,894 posts)

32. Yes. You are entirely correct
 
No one...NO ONE is going to change this.

...and to respond not to you, but some of the others who "call for action"...what are you gonna do? Come on, big, tough guys and gals, what are you planning on doing that would remove a multi-trillion-dollar megastructure which is totally and utterly integrated into the society? Are you joking? Maybe you'd like to take on the Third Armored Division in your spare time as a warmup.

You know, being a liberal involves having some pragmatism and common sense.

 

[I_B_Perky]

Star Member PCIntern (13,894 posts)

I will tell you what I've been told for many years:
   
Last edited Sun Jun 9, 2013, 12:18 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

I am professionally acquainted with a gentleman who used to work in National Security, followed by a stint in the Philadelphia Police Department at a very very high level, followed by a return to an unnamed Federal Service.

I am sure you are "professionally aquainted" with the gentleman, PCIntern. What I'm curious about though is what the price is now days to get one's ashes hauled?   

[Tucker]

He told me, without any bluster or hesitation, that if an individual uses certain words in a telephone conversation or email or intertubes, that it will automatically trigger a red flag and that flag will be investigated

I thought that this was common knowledge. It's been going on so long that I don't know who started it.

[I_B_Perky]

I thought that this was common knowledge. It's been going on so long that I don't know who started it.

It was Boooosh!!!!   

[Bad Dog]

I think I met the same guy as PC in a little bar in Port O'Conner TX.  He told me the same story and I believed every word.  Oh, and the guy was also an Airborne Ranger Seal in Viet Nam.

[Freeper]

You know, being a liberal involves having some pragmatism and common sense.

 

You idiots wouldn't know common sense if it beat you up and ran away with your EBT card.

[vesta111]

You idiots wouldn't know common sense if it beat you up and ran away with your EBT card.

Yeah well take it from me it is no fun being accused of something you know nothing about.

Really takes the wind out of your sails when the police show up with a search warrant for your PC because the IPC  [ what the hell that is ? ] number was used to commit a crime.

I wrote about this a couple of years ago and the this just brings back memories of    OH SHIT.

Seems someone up state got my number somehow and was using it to buy things on the internet with false credit card---or something.   Not just mine, mind you but a good 30 other people were taken also from a small town.

We use Comcast so the police went to them to get the name and address of the owner of that account and came to me with a search warrant for my PC.     

They took my PC and keyboard to examine it, also checked our connections to it, the phone and TV.

Very low key they were but the Chief of police and the very young town uniform escorting him ----
He was jumpy as all hell, did not want to shake hands or give me his card, the uniform one that is.

The Chief reminded me of that star on the BBC program Midsomers Mystery's, he came across as friendly and wanting to help.   He even resembled him in looks.

The Uniform was a bit odd acting requested I not smoke and lock up my 25 pound dog, jumpy little feller, and he left before I could get his card.   

The Chief unhooked my PC and told me I would get it back in a few months.  I was given 2 cards by the Chief, one he wrote his cell phone number on. 

We went out the next day or two and bought a new PC,  and a couple of weeks later the Chief shows up with his son to re-hook the one they confiscated from me.

Now I tell you this did throw me for a loop, I cannot imagine being in a big city and having the police treating me this well.

If the Police can get this kind of information from a Carrier of ones service, then I suspect that most anyone with some knowledge can do so.                 

[obumazombie]

I am running this clip from nadin in my mind over and over...

Partisans are a special despicable breed...no matter "what side they are on."

Is nadin a partisan ? I must do a little research and check her resume.

[jukin]

Rule 1: It's not fascism if democrats do it.
Rule 2: If democrats are fascists the small government conservatives made them fascists.
Rule 3: Shut up fascism by democrats is good.

[BadCat]

The "acquaintance" of the DUmmy is correct.
The program was called "Carnivore", and it was put in place by BJ Clinton.