House Bill Would Prohibit Secret Collection of Americans’ Records Without Approval of Surveillance Court

Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The U.S. House is considering a bill that would restrict the ability of the FBI and NSA to secretly collect records of U.S. citizens, the Missoulian reports. The bill, introduced on Thursday by John Waslh, D-Mont., would ban the collection of telephone, financial and e-mail records without the approval of the Foreign…

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Government Activist Wins Battle to Parody NSA, Homeland Security with T-Shirts

Steve Neavling ticklethewire.comĀ  A government activist named Dan McCall has been selling T-shirts that make fun of the NSA and Homeland Security by using the official seals. One shirt read, “U.S. Department of Homeland Stupidity.” Another: “The NSA: The only part of government that actually listens.” After discovering the re-appropriated logos, the federal agencies tried…

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NSA’s Widespread Surveillance Even Includes Members of Congress, Their Staff Members

Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Not even members of Congress are immune to the NSA’s wide surveillance reach. During a House Judiciary Committee meeting Tuesday, Deputy Attorney General James Cole admitted that the NSA “probably” collects phone records of lawmakers and their staff, the National Journal reports. But Justice Department official said the information isn’t used without…

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Firm That Vetted Snowden, Navy Yard Shooter Accused of Bilking Taxpayers Out of Millions of Dollars

Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The contractor that vetted NSA leaker Edward Snowden and the Navy Yard shooter has cheated taxpayers out of millions of dollars for unfinished background checks, the Washington Times reports, citing a Justice Department filing. In fact, investigators allege USIS received $11.7 million in performance awards from 2008 to 2010. But that work…

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