Anyone else seen the recent spate of Echelon articles in the newspaper steming from documents the US Govt released at the request of the EU? Thoughts?

Most ironic thing is it was formed in 1948, the year 1984 was written.....

Encryption is essential.
 

Haven't seen it, but Echelon is no big surprise. The best answer to Echelon (and any still-secret similar endeavors) is _routine_ end-to-end _strong_ encryption of all data. Yes, it's a good bet that the TLAs can break any given message. But it seems unlikely they can break them all and do the kind of routine eavesdropping attributed to Echelon (unless you give them a hand in designing or implementing the security, of course).

It gets better..
 

FBI can now "legally" hack your PC.. on grounds that they thought you hacked/tried to hack them first.

Does this mean we can legally hack the FBI if the FBI hacks us first?

Lol, on the encryption theme, Siemens is going to be releasing encryption phones in Germany too, but obviously both people need to have it. Cool step forward though.

Yes there has been allot of stuff about what the FBI can do now, well, what can you expect, your government doesn't give a fig for your privacy or rights. I mean my god, see the bill put up in one state to ban point and shoot arcade games in public places? Hmmmm gee i wonder if the first amendment is worth the paper it written on.

"Hmmmm gee i wonder if the first amendment is worth the paper it written on." If I'm not mistaken, its illegal to grow the hemp, to make the paper, to print the first amendment on, so thats some pricey paper.

Okay, so apparently cops can bust into my house, take whatever they want, so long as they have their eyes closed the whole time.

~Mike

Remind me of that Miami SWAT raid, busted the door down, smashed the place up, arrested the guy in front of his family...OH SHIT WRONG HOUSE, tried to bribe him with $10000 cash before leaving.
He sued.

Good! Serves 'em right.

...God, I need to become King of America. All who would support me, say so.

*NOTE: Those that support me shall have cushy jobs as Nobles. Those that don't shall become court jesters or sentenced to confinement with a member of the Bush family.

Benevolent(sp? It's late), yet vindictive,
~Mike