RNC condemns 'unconstitutional' NSA surveillance program, calls for investigation

[jct74]

RNC condemns NSA surveillance

By Julian Hattem
January 24, 2014, 12:52 pm

The Republican National Committee has formally renounced the “dragnet” surveillance program at the National Security Agency (NSA).

During its winter meeting in Washington, the committee on Friday overwhelmingly approved a measure calling for lawmakers to end the program and create a special committee to investigate domestic surveillance efforts.

The resolution, which declared that “unwarranted government surveillance is an intrusion on basic human rights,” among other condemnations, passed the committee on a voice vote with near-unanimous support. Only a small minority of the 168 RNC members dissented.

The committee criticized the government’s bulk collection of records about all phone calls, which emerged as one of the most controversial programs revealed in leaks by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. That NSA effort “is in itself contrary to the right of privacy protected by the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution,” the RNC said in the resolution.

...

read more:
http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/196352-rnc-condemns-nsa-surveillance

[jct74]

RNC condemns NSA spying in huge turnaround

By Benjy Sarlin
01/24/14 01:00 PM

In a jarring break from the George W. Bush era, the Republican National Committee voted Friday to adopt a resolution demanding an investigation into the National Security Agency’s spy programs.

...

Nevada Committeewoman Diana Orrock told msnbc over the phone that she introduced the resolution at the RNC’s summer meeting, but she wasn’t able to attract the necessary co-sponsors to advance it until now. The only major change she says she made to secure support was to drop the word “unconstitutional” from the title.

“I have to thank Edward Snowden for bringing forth the blatant trampling of our First and Fourth Amendment rights in the guise of security,” she said. “Something had to be said. Something had to be done.”

This is, to put it mildly, a new position for the Republican National Committee. When the New York Times revealed that the NSA had wiretapped American citizens without warrants in late 2005, the RNC used their 2006 winter meeting to strongly defend the program’s national security value.

...

The RNC’s tidal shift reflects the reality that mass surveillance looks a lot more benign when your own party’s leader is in charge of the operation. But the resolution also is a sign of the increasing influence of the libertarian wing of the party, especially supporters of Ron Paul and his son, Rand Paul, who have made government overreach in pursuit of terrorists a top issue. Both Orrock and fellow Nevada Committeeman James Smack, who presented the resolution on her behalf, supported the elder Paul’s presidential campaign.

...

read more:
http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/rnc-condemns-nsa-spying-shock-turnaround-0

[jct74]

Allahpundit's take


RNC votes via “overwhelming majority” to renounce NSA domestic surveillance

POSTED AT 2:01 PM ON JANUARY 24, 2014 BY ALLAHPUNDIT

Not a single member rose in opposition, according to Time. If you’re surprised — and I am, a little — go back and look at the polling data on NSA spying that Pew released a few days ago. Among Republicans generally, 56 percent disapprove of the program versus just 37 percent who approve. Among tea-party Republicans specifically, disapproval reaches 68 percent — the highest level recorded by Pew among any demographic. Today’s resolution does, in fact, reflect the opinion of most of the party right now.

Even so, I thought HQ for the GOP establishment would hedge a bit in condemning a program that was, after all, launched by the last Republican president, whose brother may or may not be the next nominee and whose own RNC chairman slammed Democrats in 2006 for opposing the NSA’s counterterror initiatives. It was just last year, in fact, that the current establishment favorite dismissed libertarians’ objections to the program as “dangerous.” One of the fault lines in the 2016 primaries would, I thought, form between establishment hawks and libertarians over the future of the program — and yet, 18 months out, here’s the ultimate Republican establishment group sounding like Rand Paul two years out.

...

There’s more at the link, including a call for congressional Republicans to “immediately take action” to halt the programs, but I wanted to excerpt the above to show you how stark the language is. This isn’t a delicately phrased half-measure expressing “concern” and seeking “balance” between privacy interests and counterterrorism. They’re calling the program flatly unconstitutional, not just on Fourth Amendment grounds but on First Amendment grounds. And they’re not limiting the protections they want to U.S. citizens. Anyone residing here would be covered under the RNC’s new version of Section 215. My instinct always when the Committee does something showy to please its base is that they’re simply working an angle aimed at protecting establishment prerogatives, but I don’t know. Why use language like this if there’s an ulterior motive? If the party ends up with a pro-NSA nominee, the left will have a field day rubbing this in his face in 2016. The RNC’s all in.

...

http://hotair.com/archives/2014/01/24/rnc-votes-via-overwhelming-majority-to-renounce-nsa-domestic-surveillance/

[Petar]

Times they are a changin'

[Acala]

This has potential.

[erowe1]

What's the catch?

[Acala]

What's the catch?

The catch is that they will burn down the NSA and then build something similar down the road when everyone goes back to sleep.

[jct74]

TechCrunch has a pretty good analysis too


It calls the phone metadata program “an invasion into the personal lives of American citizens that violates the right of free speech and association afforded by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.” The PRISM program is “surveillance of U.S. citizens on a vast scale.” And bulk collection, the “mass collection and retention of personal data is in itself contrary to the right of privacy protected by the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution.”

And no, that’s not copy from a small-time blogger on a site advocating for Internet rights. The Hill wrote that the “RNC position represents an increasingly libertarian turn for the GOP.”

...

The RNC’s condemnations are broad, as are its prescriptions. The RNC’s resolution should not be taken as indicative of the mood of the larger Republican caucus. There are many Republicans who believe the NSA’s programs to be both legal and critically important to the nation’s security.

Still, the RNC is no small player in Republican politics, and so its words carry weight; the above could be cover for those previously lying low on the issue to come out in opposition to the NSA’s bulk data programs.

It will be particularly interesting to see what Rep. Mike Rogers has to say on the resolution. Rep. Rogers, a Republican, is chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and is one of the loudest defenders of the NSA.

...

There is a decent subset of Democrats — Rep. Amash, et al. — who are opposed to the NSA’s bulk data programs that target American citizens. To have the RNC come on board in this way could swing those in favor of limiting the National Security Agency into the majority.

http://techcrunch.com/2014/01/24/the-republican-national-committee-blasts-the-nsas-dragnet-surveillance/

[Anti Federalist]

The catch is that they will burn down the NSA and then build something similar down the road when everyone goes back to sleep.

This...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/IAO-logo.png/590px-IAO-logo.png

[erowe1]

The catch is that they will burn down the NSA and then build something similar down the road when everyone goes back to sleep.

Yeah, I'm not going to be sharing this story on Facebook.

The last thing I want is for any of my friends to think it might be a good idea to donate any money to the RNC.

[jkr]

information retrieval
http://thechinadesk.files.wordpress.com/2005/05/information_retrieval_officer1.jpg

[Occam's Banana]

TechCrunch has a pretty good analysis too


[...] There is a decent subset of Democrats — Rep. Amash, et al. — who [... yada yada ...].

WTF?!?! :eek:

[milgram]

Welcome news, but we'll see how much actually happens. Democrats once talked a great game on this issue too.

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/4327/haoh.jpg

[Dr.3D]

Should the NSA stop doing as much as it is, I expect a false flag operation to prove it was doing it's job.

[HOLLYWOOD]

Activism and Grassroots of the Re[LOVE]ution pays off!

Everyone should automatically do a background check when anything "PARTY" broadcasts, so, some good news on this one... CCGOP Clark County GOP(Las Vegas) Diana Orrock

This story has legs, and good people(Ron Paul grassroots republicans) pushing it... Here's the good part now, I just hope they haven't gotten to her: http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics/paul-supporters-oust-two-romney-backers

PS: Always "Be On The Lookout For" the establishment Money Masters pulling the plug on grassroots activisism, when it gets too close to reality of truly happening. Reince Preboobus answers to; Sheldon Adelson, the Koch's, Karl Rove, et al, first and foremost.

POLITICO: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/rnc-nsa-spying-102571.html?hp=l4
:D :D
3 hours ago - The push to criticize the NSA was spearheaded by Nevada national committeewoman Diana Orrock, a supporter of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). :D :D


Posted May 5, 2012 - 11:49am Paul supporters oust two Romney backers

http://www.reviewjournal.com/sites/default/files/field/media/7043272-0-4.jpghttp://www.reviewjournal.com/sites/default/files/field/media/7043151-1-4.jpg
Cathleen Allison/Las Vegas Review-Journal
http://www.reviewjournal.com/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/field/media/7043272-0-4.jpg?itok=U77VWKTh http://www.reviewjournal.com/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/field/media/7043151-1-4.jpg?itok=hVqqUDid http://www.reviewjournal.com/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/field/media/7044065-2-4.jpg?itok=EdKlUMGy

By Laura MyersLAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

SPARKS - In a show of anti-establishment political power at Saturday's Nevada Republican Convention, GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul's supporters ousted two Mitt Romney backers from the Republican National Committee.

The vote came during a day of clashes between the two camps as Paul backers sought to install his people in the party hierarchy and elect as many Nevada delegates as possible to the national convention in Tampa, Fla.
RNC National Committeeman Bob List, a former Nevada governor, lost election to James Smack, the vice chairman of the state GOP and a longtime Paul supporter from Fallon. The vote was 932 for Smack and 623 for List.

RNC National Committeewoman Heidi Smith lost to Diana Orrock, one of Paul's backers. They have been taking control of the Clark County GOP for the past year. Carol Del Carlo of Incline Village also was in the running. Orrock got 902 votes to 429 for Del Carlo and 231 for Smith.

Each state has a female and male RNC representative on the committee, which runs the national Republican Party, a key duty in 2012 when the White House is at stake as well as control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
The new RNC committeeman and committeewoman won't begin serving their four-year terms until after the national GOP convention in August, when they'll be formally installed.
But having Paul supporters at the RNC could expand the Texas congressman's influence beyond the 2012 campaign as he promotes smaller government and more liberties.

Don't ask why the URL link show Heidi Smith in the link, but here's the GOP.com info on, Diana Orrock: http://www.gop.com/members/nevada/heidi-smith/

[Bastiat's The Law]

That's why it pays to be involved!!

[69360]

Not surprising at all. The RNC on paper is generally pretty good. Their party platforms are generally not that bad.

Problem is elected republicans don't always follow the party's direction.

[HOLLYWOOD]

Here's a little background on RNC James Smack and Dianne Orrock... Orrock's speech is great.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYHJEn4BoK8


BTW, Cynthia Kennedy does the interview and she been a Ron Paul supporter back to 2007... Real Ron Paul activists which have succeeded nationally.

[Zippyjuan]

Wasn't the RNC heavily behind the Patriot Act which helped make all that possible?

[Feeding the Abscess]

Wasn't the RNC heavily behind the Patriot Act which helped make all that possible?

After they were against it. When a democrat held the white house, of course.

Find the common thread in this theme and win a prize.

[tod evans]

Until the perpetrators are hauled before a citizens tribunal free from the "Just-Us" department it's all just hot air.

[Brian4Liberty]

TechCrunch has a pretty good analysis too


There is a decent subset of Democrats — Rep. Amash, et al. — who are opposed to the NSA’s bulk data programs that target American citizens.

http://techcrunch.com/2014/01/24/the-republican-national-committee-blasts-the-nsas-dragnet-surveillance/

Uh, the only way I can interpret that is that the writer of the article is saying that Amash is a Democrat.

[Zippyjuan]

After they were against it. When a democrat held the white house, of course.

Find the common thread in this theme and win a prize.

Ya mean it's fine when we do it but bad when the other guy does the same thing? Typical Washington.

[Henry Rogue]

Ol' Pete King is goin' to have conniption.

[Rudeman]

After they were against it. When a democrat held the white house, of course.

Find the common thread in this theme and win a prize.


It sounds like Ron/Rand supporters are behind the push, so not surprising.

[GunnyFreedom]

Nicole Revels of North Carolina was a prime mover behind this, BTW.
http://carolinalibertypac.com/

[Occam's Banana]

Ol' Pete King is goin' to have conniption.

:D:):D:):D

Peter King slams RNC on NSA resolution: "death warrant" for Republican Party (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?442374-Peter-King-slams-RNC-on-NSA-resolution-quot-death-warrant-quot-for-Republican-Party)

:):D:):D:)

[Carson]

"RNC condemns 'unconstitutional' NSA surveillance program, calls for investigation"


This is a joke right?

[CaptUSA]

"RNC condemns 'unconstitutional' NSA surveillance program, calls for investigation"


This is a joke right?You know, it's hard to understand the inner workings of the RNC, but this is good news. At the very least, it means that they are beginning to read the writing on the wall and have to at least make overtures in our direction. My hope is that it is a trial balloon to see how the party reacts to "Rand Paul" style takes on issues. If it works and gains them some interest, then we could be in for a couple very exciting elections in the near future.

[CPUd]

A brief Slate article:



The New, Snowden-Loving Republican Party

Benjy Sarlin has a nice read on the other news emerging from the RNC meeting. Supporters of Ron Paul, chiefly Nevada's Diana Orrock, were able to sell the whole committee on a resolution "renouncing" the NSA's data collection programs. As of today, the RNC "encourages Republican law makers to call for a special committee to investigate, report, and reveal to the public the extent of this domestic spying" and "calls upon Republican lawmakers to immediately take action to halt current unconstitutional surveillance programs and provide a full public accounting of the NSA’s data collection programs." It basically endorses Rep. Justin Amash's legislation in the House.

Andrew Kaczynski commemorates the occasion with a flashback to the August 2006 RNC attack on the "liberal judge" who ruled against another NSA program, and was "praised by Dems." Not long after that, one of the party's endangered moderates, Connecticut Rep. Nancy Johnson, attacked her Democratic opponent for daring to oppose the program.

So it's taken seven-odd years for the GOP to come fully around and realize the groovy politics of civil liberties, but that should have been obvious even before Snowden.


http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2014/01/24/the_new_snowden_loving_republican_party.html

[Matt Collins]

This is good symbolism, nothing more, nothing less. I am glad they did it, it is indicative that our ideas are gaining ground, but it doesn't mean anything of any substance unfortunately.

[GunnyFreedom]

Bryan Daugherty was the man who wrote the resolution and worked non-stop for the last 6-8 months to get it heard and passed. He ran phonebanks, organized supporters, and basically worked himself near to death, but he did it. He is a die-hard Ron Paul supporter, and was a Ron Paul delegate to the 2012 RNC National Convention in Tampa. I know him personally, and he is the real deal.

[GunnyFreedom]

You know, it's hard to understand the inner workings of the RNC, but this is good news. At the very least, it means that they are beginning to read the writing on the wall and have to at least make overtures in our direction. My hope is that it is a trial balloon to see how the party reacts to "Rand Paul" style takes on issues. If it works and gains them some interest, then we could be in for a couple very exciting elections in the near future.

You know what upsets me? Not you...I picked you because it would be obvious here that I WASN'T talking about you. We get a hard-core dedicated to principle Ron Pauler who works his butt off non-stop for most of a year to make a positive change, to have a good, positive effect on things, he actually succeeds against all odds, and then half our darn movement moans and whines about how it's all meaningless or worse some evil nefarious plot. I mean, when we do this kind of crap why does anybody bother to try to accomplish anything at all really?