Obama says EU, all intelligence agencies seek info on each other

That’s some great logic there – “well everyone else does it!” Firstly, if any countries spy on the US, it’s not to nearly as great a degree as the US spies on others. Secondly, this type of argument normalizes spying, making it seem like it’s not a big deal since everyone else does it – if everyone else does it, then it’s an even bigger issue.

Snowden is a patriot to the world. The only thing he has done is call attention to the spying on citizens of several governments. He has harmed no one. He has helped everyone.

We need transparency and laws to ensure the majority are protected in the pursuit of the minority of criminals aka terrorists. Snowden gave us some transparency, our governments must give us the rest.

Never seen so many weasel words since the last Chicago politician got indicted. “Seeking insight”. I wasn’t tapping your phone, I was seeking insight.

Are there any REAL progressive politicians out there?

Obama has, very unfortunately, said it too late. It would be nice if he had said the same before meeting with Xi from China last month. Then perhaps Xi would have stayed with Obama at the Sunnylands Estate instead of at a Hyatt?

On a lighter note: I am sure that paparazzi will now justify their “spying” on celebrities because they are “seeking insight” that is not readily provided to the public by those celebrities.

If all intelligence agencies gather info on each other, then why was the U.S. so upset with China for doing what everyone else is doing?

….or is this one of those “do as I say, not as I do” things??

Seeking Info is not spying. It’s sounds like the so-called “Brain Child” Obama isn’t nearly as smart as many thought. How long will Bots continue to buy off on the Obama defense of “plausible deniability?” Does Obama know anything about any agency within his realm of power?

Nice job Barry. Your lack of credibility and influence in the middle east, Russia and now Europe and your corresponding lack of leadership even at home continues to cost lives while you feed your own narcissistic hunger for the appearance of political success. Shame on you. You are a coward and a sham of a President.

The old saying “if a cop doesn’t see it, I didn’t do it” would work here if “a cop didn’t see it”. All Obama’s words cannot change what the EU is thinking about us now. Hey Obama, are you running out of allies to spy on yet?

“It’s nothing.” I was afraid that would be the answer.

In other words, to US citizens and to the world, “So what? What are you going to do about it?”

Encryption already draws extra attention. My guess, good encryption is soon illegal.

Like the end of Woody Allen’s ‘Bananas.’ New boss: “From now on underwear is to be changed five times a day. Underwear is to be worn on the outside, so we can check.”

@Matt416: Yeah, everybody DOES do it. Some would argue it helps maintain the Balance of Power in that everyone knows what’s going on and it’s difficult to either get a dangerous, false signal or edge causing one or another to do something with false confidence. Not saying it’s right but everyone who can pay for an espionage program does. How you have determined that no one does it to the degree the US does? The US and Russia have been trading spies for ever. The Israeli Mossad got caught spying on the US, their greatest ally. Toshiba got caught giving US submarine anti cavitation screw technology away. Everyone does it. Welcome to the REAL world, junior.

So Obamas going to try and say there is rules to this. Im glad europe is showing how this spying should be responded to. Sad that they spy on all of the usa and we freely gave away our privacy without a fight.

Its wrong to spy on anyone under any circumstances. To do so, then you are more then likely to be deemed a enemy and to be watched. This is common sense. Which seems to be lacking enmass.

Obama,

Give back your Nobel Peace Prize. You clearly didn’t deserve it.