economics102
06-09-2013, 05:05 PM
The claim is that "every member of Congress" was briefed on this. Did Ron or Rand know?
FYI, I'm not asking this for purposes of criticizing them for not saying anything. It just always struck me as problematic the way the confidential briefings work in Congress. I remember a while ago Rand was briefed on something classified (I forget what) as a way of "easing his concerns," but it seems like a fundamental problem if members of Congress can be briefed on classified information under the condition they not speak out about it. What if they don't like what they hear in the briefing??
Sort of like the "closed door" meetings or "off the record" press conferences...
I can imagine the conversation...
RAND: I'm concerned you may be spying on everyone.
NSA: Hogwash! Tell you what, if it will ease your concerns, we can give you a private briefing. It's classified, though, so you can't repeat anything we tell you.
RAND: Fine.
(NSA shuts door)
NSA: Ok, here it is...We're spying on everyone.
RAND: I'm not okay with that. The people need to be warned about this.
NSA: You can't, it's classified.
RAND: So...
NSA: Yep.
RAND: Um.
FYI, I'm not asking this for purposes of criticizing them for not saying anything. It just always struck me as problematic the way the confidential briefings work in Congress. I remember a while ago Rand was briefed on something classified (I forget what) as a way of "easing his concerns," but it seems like a fundamental problem if members of Congress can be briefed on classified information under the condition they not speak out about it. What if they don't like what they hear in the briefing??
Sort of like the "closed door" meetings or "off the record" press conferences...
I can imagine the conversation...
RAND: I'm concerned you may be spying on everyone.
NSA: Hogwash! Tell you what, if it will ease your concerns, we can give you a private briefing. It's classified, though, so you can't repeat anything we tell you.
RAND: Fine.
(NSA shuts door)
NSA: Ok, here it is...We're spying on everyone.
RAND: I'm not okay with that. The people need to be warned about this.
NSA: You can't, it's classified.
RAND: So...
NSA: Yep.
RAND: Um.