“Moment of Truth” – Preview
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- Date published:
7:32 am, September 14th, 2014 - 67 comments
Categories: accountability, defence, election 2014, john key, Spying -
Tags: GCSB, kim dotcom, moment of truth, Spying
The positioning re Kim Dotcom’s “Moment of Truth” has started this morning. The main claims will focus on spying:
Tomorrow night, he [Dotcom] will “demonstrate the lying, what the moment of truth is all about”, he says.
“We are showing you the real face behind the lies.”
Helping him is celebrated American journalist Glenn Greenwald, who flew into New Zealand on Friday, ready to unveil the fruits of months of work.
Greenwald has access to thousands of classified US government documents released to him by runaway whistleblower Edward Snowden. The Star-Times can reveal Snowden is also expected to speak to the Auckland Town Hall meeting tomorrow night by video message from his exile in Russia.
Dotcom told the Star-Times he would also table incontrovertible documentary evidence Prime Minister John Key lied about his knowledge of Dotcom before the infamous FBI-inspired raids on Dotcom’s Coatesville mansion – something Key has consistently denied.
Last August, Key said both he and the head of the GCSB, Ian Fletcher, would resign if it was found the spy agency had conducted mass surveillance. He repeated last month that there was no mass government surveillance of New Zealanders. But Greenwald said he had spent several months trawling through his cache of leaked documents specifically studying New Zealand’s role in the Five Eyes alliance – the US, Canada, Australia, Britain and New Zealand.
Key is readying himself:
Prime Minister John Key will declassify highly sensitive documents to prove the GCSB pulled the plug on plans to spy on New Zealanders.
Last night Key said he suspected that former Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Glenn Greenwald’s mass surveillance claims were “part of a conversation” of a surveillance plan that was never formulated.
“I am prepared to declassify documents and release proof in the coming days,” said Key.
“There is no mass surveillance of New Zealanders by the GCSB [Government Communications Security Bureau] and there never has been.
“Mr Dotcom’s little henchman will be proven to be incorrect because he is incorrect.”
“Little henchmen” – that’s classy.
If Key has proof that plans to spy on Kiwis were abandoned, he should release it now – before the accusations are made specific. Anything released “in the coming days” is bound to be treated by some as suspect. Nothing to hide nothing to fear? Release it now…
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The Governmentâs attack on workers continues with news it is scrapping work on the Holidays Act. ...1 week ago
- Govtâs emissions plan for measly 1% reduction
New independent analysis has revealed that the Governmentâs Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets.  ...1 week ago
- Greens stand in solidarity with Whakaata MÄori on sad day
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata MÄori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for MÄori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...1 week ago
- Sanctions regime to create more hardship for families
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...1 week ago
- Govt gifts renters housing anxiety for Christmas
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Billâwhich allows landlords to end tenancies with no reasonâignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...1 week ago
- Release: National Party urged to support modern slavery legislation
Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker
The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...1 week ago
- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Todayâs announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the countryâs rail network. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Nicola Willisâ smaller ferries will cost more
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Memberâs Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban
The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
- Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Governmentâs Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
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The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
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Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. âThe Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...9 hours ago - PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). âAt my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,â Mr Luxon says. âNew Zealandâs ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...2 days ago
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Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. âThe government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,â Mr Penk says. âApplications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...2 days ago
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The Governmentâs measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. âImproving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...2 days ago
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The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. âOur focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...2 days ago
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The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. âThe redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...2 days ago
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The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. âRegulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. âSynthetic refrigerants are found in a ...2 days ago
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People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the NgÄruawÄhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.âI would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...2 days ago
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Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. âI would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...3 days ago
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The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. âIt has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...3 days ago
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The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayersâ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. âTreasury and most ...3 days ago
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Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. âFreedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...3 days ago
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Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last yearâs Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Networkâs new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...3 days ago
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State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.âThe Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...3 days ago
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The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. âDelivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...3 days ago
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The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. âCabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...3 days ago
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Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. âAs a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...4 days ago
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Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. âMr Horsleyâs experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. âHe is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...4 days ago
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Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. âEarlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...4 days ago
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The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. âThe Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill â the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...4 days ago
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The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. âPlanting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...4 days ago
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Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...4 days ago
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A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. âThese trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...4 days ago
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The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). âThe Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...4 days ago
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It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. âThis Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...4 days ago
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âAccelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,â says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...4 days ago
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Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. âI would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. âThe appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Boardâs capacity ...4 days ago
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More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. âIn the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...4 days ago
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Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Governmentâs $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. âThis fund is part of the Governmentâs commitment to investing in ...4 days ago
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New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...4 days ago
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The Government welcomes the Commerce Commissionâs plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.âThe Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...4 days ago
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Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best â providing safe, high-quality care ...5 days ago
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The Governmentâs Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.âNew Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...5 days ago
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Legislation to enable new water service delivery models that will drive critical investment in infrastructure has passed its first reading in Parliament, marking a significant step towards the delivery of Local Water Done Well, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly say.âCouncils and voters ...5 days ago
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Despite overwhelming public and corporate support, the government has stalled progress on a modern day slavery law. That puts us behind other countries â and makes Christmas a time of tragedy rather than joy, argues Shanti Mathias. Picture the scene on Christmas Day. Everyone replete with nice things to eat, ...14 hours ago
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The government has quietly cancelled plans to improve recycling and roll out a kerbside food scraps composting scheme. ...1 day ago
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The roads partnership unravelled under a confidential settlement this week, meaning NZTA will now finish off what it had said was incomplete work. ...1 day ago
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Can’t believe Cunliffe. He was a minister during that disgraceful period of our history when his government spied on the group in the Ureweras.
Only the Greens will stand up against this abuse.
Your faux concern is so transparent.
Your faux concern is so transparent. I believe they’ll be discussing the Greens and Labour at Slater’s website.
You know the journalist with all those prestigious internationally acclaimed journalist awards.
Yes, because all ministers are briefed on GCSB matters, eh.
Exstatic, I have a question. Either you are ignorant of how our intelligence agencies work with elected officials, or you are a lying ratfucker.
Which is it?
Relax, the political editor for Radio Live, Jessica Williams, has declared this morning on Sainsbury’s show that Key is in the clear. So nothing to see here. Oh, and that Labour and their “motley crew” cannot win and form a government. So calm down, Tories, it’s in the bag.
Follow the money.
Jessica Williams works for Radio Live, part of Mediaworks.
“MediaWorks New Zealand is a New Zealand-based television, radio and interactive media company entirely owned by the Ironbridge Capital group.”
They also do waste management. Not sure if that’s still considered sinister or not đ
So did Tony Soprano!
“Waste management” Is supposed to clean up the shit. But radio Live seem to spread it around with a Grader.
The SST also says that Key will produce a transcript of the briefing he got just before the raid on Dotcom mansion. It says Key asked if Dotcom was Korean – his evidence that was the first he’d heard of KDC.
I would expect a briefing to the PM of that nature would be classified. If he declassifies it for purely political purposes then surely someone is going to ask whether he can legally do that?
He is the Prime Minister and can, following the precedent set by his predecessor in the job, do anything he likes.
As Helen Clark said “By definition I cannot leak”.
Is that what your little legal mind tells you is true?
Leaking government / cabinet business is not the same thing as declassifying intelligence documents and publishing them.
LOL releasing a John Key ‘dad joke’ during a briefing as proof…
Pretty cheeky.
Yes I had the same impression, that it was a joke of some sort.
Why would it be suspect? Unless you believe the evidence would be manufactured. That would imply collusion on a colossal scale between National and the Intelligence agencies. Not even David Cunliffe are suggesting that.
I said it would be treated “by some” as suspect. And it will. There are always conspiracy theorists, and the only way to nip that in the bud is to release before the accusations are made specific.
The danger of doing an Odgers is too great, R0b.
I note Key does not dispute the veracity of the documents Greenwald has. He merely claims they provide an incomplete picture.
It is suspect because it pertains to Chapter 13, The Use of Spies, Gosman: ‘the art of warfare is deception’ etc. etc.
We’ve already seen evidence that the NSA provides legal advice to five-eyes partner agencies to help them circumvent local privacy laws.
Do they need to do that because politicians aren’t in the loop? Or for plausible deniability? Or both?
In scenario a., Key is ignorant of the GCSB’s activities, and his word is worthless, and in scenario b., he’s lying, and his word is worthless.
Scenario c., that the NSA doesn’t act as alleged, is that your position?
It’s always struck me that Secret Agencies are alternative Governments, non-elected and non-democratic.
” Anything released âin the coming daysâ is bound to be treated by some as suspect”
Key’s black ops team are probably knocking up something as we speak…. Can’t put anything past Key or his handpicked GCSB ex-school mate or the SIS. Too much at stake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYEdaxbfpYc&feature=youtu.be
Laila interviews Greenwald and Amsterdam
Measured. Compelling. Interview on Not the 6 o’clock News important to watch thanks cogito.
+1 yes indeed – essential viewing
Thanks!
Shit, that is a great interview. Harre asking the questions that won’t be asked by the MSM. And Greenwald and Amsterdam both very intelligent and articulate and being interviewed in a way that allows them to talk freely and for that intelligence and articulation to shine a light on some pretty heavy and crucial stuff.
I’m having this weird moment of being ashamed of my country, not personally but in a ‘how did we let things get this bad’ kind of way, and feeling unexpectedly delighted at the stuff we are getting right.
Watching it, I just kept thinking of the Mike Hoskings of the world (well, of NZ), and how completely and utterly fucked up we are. Not just the biases, but the ineptitude and utter disdain for truth instead valuing the game over substance. And we don’t even know how bad we are đ And then Amsterdam points out how well the citizenry in NZ has responded to the GCSB issues.
The value of having outside eyes reflecting ourselves back to us.
Lisa Owen interviewing Greenwald was good too, in a MSM context. Everytime I see her working I feel relieved that the MSM does still have some good people left. Greenwald is a delight to watch, just so clear and good at explaining things.
http://www.3news.co.nz/tvshows/thenation/interview-glenn-greenwald-2014091311
Owen’s interview with Key was good too, Look at the final section – She would not let Key bamboozle her. Key just will not take criticism. he tries to bamboozle her (us?) by reeling off a load of figures, but she won’t have it.
It’s time more people stood up to this despot. He just will not allow anyone to disagree with him – talks over them, talks them down, rattles on…. anything to shut them up.
John “don’t be silly, Lisa” Key.
I wonder if after the election we should draw up a list of MSM journos who are doing well. Maybe create a set of criteria for media that serves the citizens and then apply it to various journalists and media as issues arise.
Yep, that’s the bit I noticed as well. Nothing unusual from him though, he is very short tempered with all NZrs it seems.
When he’s called on his bullying there’s always a lickspittle to his defence.
nadis 14.3
12 August 2014 at 11:20 am
And remember when Helen Clark accused John Key of domestic violence?
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-12082014/#comment-864584
Paul, 1.4.1.
âMediaWorks New Zealand is a New Zealand-based television, radio and interactive media company entirely owned by the Ironbridge Capital group.â,
Can you find any “NatZ,Joyce, Key” sleeper cells embedded into Ironbridge Capital?
If someone like Joyce who is the queen bee of Natz principal spinners had some involvement with Mediaworks, as Steven Joyce’s conflict of interest as past managing director of the company’s RadioWorks, a subsidiary of Mediaworks?
See links.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10838337
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MediaWorks_New_Zealand
All MediaWorks owned and affiliated stations read or carry Radio Live News updates hourly or half hourly during their weekday breakfast programmes. Most also carry pre-recorded news and sports updates hourly at other times. Radio Live News took over from the RadioWorks news service, Global News, with the launch of Radio Live in 2005.
Controversy erupted over a $43 million loan guarantee made by the Government to MediaWorks, with critics citing Communications Minister Steven Joyce’s conflict of interest as past managing director of the company’s RadioWorks division.[4]
http://online.wsj.com/articles/u-s-threatened-yahoo-with-big-fines-over-user-data-1410477416
Very interesting, and makes me ask immediate questions of Google. Unfortunately the article is behind a pay wall though.
This one isn’t and….
don’t forget that Yahoo is partnered with Telecom/Spark to provide its email services here.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/11/yahoo-nsa-lawsuit-documents-fine-user-data-refusal
Moment of truth.
Key clearly lied again this morning on Q+A this morning to Corin Dann claiming that we are not being spied apon.
David Cunliffe sounded excellent on showing Labour’s new “NZ Inc.” policy to invest in NZ technologies and assets, a sort of buyback asset model.
The panel pooh poohed the policy sadly.Panel said Cunliffe was copying the Norwegian model.
Metiria & Russel were also sparking while Key looked gaunt and scarred.
It is clear is that Susan Wood & Corrin are both clearly showing they are scared over the mass surveillance issue of all N.Z.ers’.
Perhaps this will be the final straw in NatZ’s coffin.
Agree re Cunliffe. The Greens interview was rather untidy, I thought. Key was obnoxious with his repeated “henchmen” accusations and slippery answers.
Why on earth was the interview with Amsterdam not shown instead of that pathetic panel discussion?
NZ needs truth and it will never get it with a pathological LIAR as PM.
Some unknown person always knows something, BUT they are blocked by speaking out because they have a young family, unwell elderly parents, a mortgage to pay etc.
Power and resources are required as well, when it comes to having the truth revealed and exposing the rot.
Treetop
“BUT they are blocked by speaking out because they have a young family, unwell elderly parents, a mortgage to pay etc.”
Blackmail & corruption from Planet key & Mafia maybe or just Planet Key?
I’m surprised that Greenwald and Amsterdam got a visa to enter NZ.
That was always an open question. Mind you, Greenwald has visited the USA recently as well, so something somewhere has thawed for him. For a while there US congressmen were calling for his head on a platter.
Awful lot of smoke being made this election. Not sure if it is worse than others or if I’m just following more closely.
The last one was a fiasco with the teapot tapes as well. That one was just a very poorly managed stunt by Key that he got away with by the skin of his teeth (and resurrected Winston in the process).
This one is much more sustained and widespread and involves actual dodgy dealings over a long period of time, and likely corruption.
NZ Prime Minister John Key – Bank of America’s ‘little henchman’.
http://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/00CLOOCMPPFinInterests20141/2e04287ad20ee5da12a308149e59bb16d7f47ce5
(Pg 30)
Rt Hon John Key (National, Helensville)
2 Other companies and business entities
Little Nell â property investment, Aspen, Colorado
Bank of America â banking
___________________________________________________________________________________
Penny Bright
Excellent article demonstrating why metadata collection is a problem and not âa minor infringement of privacyâ. The article is understandable by non-geeks. It follows the metadata of a single person for a week and provides an in depth analysis of that person, their life, work, social networks, where they go, what they do, who they communicate with etc based simply on the metadata. It also shows how easy it is to get deeper eg into private twitter, google and Amazon accounts to access content.
https://www.bof.nl/2014/07/30/how-your-innocent-smartphone-passes-on-almost-your-entire-life-to-the-secret-service/
Yes it’s a great article. Lets be blunt here, the pre-democratic societies had this sort of control, Napoleon’s empire had this sort of control, but democracies should not have this sort of control.
This is good too, a pic with 3 examples of how metadata tells so much,
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bxe_5LnCAAAwfiJ.jpg:large
“They know you spoke with an HIV testing service, then your doctor, then your health insurance company in the same hour. But they don’t know what was discussed”
For anyone who may still believe the GCSB does not trawl through large numbers of NZ citizens’s online activity, let me quote from a small handbook titled “The Security of Communications” which was printed – very appropriately – in 1984. (How I came to be in possession of it is another story.)
(my bold)
I have abridged the passage for obvious reasons but the point I am making is that the ability to survey NZ citizens through their computer activities in particular has been available for at least thirty years. And there is no way in a million years I will believe it has never been used on NZ citizens. All that has happened is that technology now exists which enables the surveillance to cover massive tracks of computer activitiy involving huge numbers of citizens and on a permanent basis.
That is tantamount to a Police State and demonstrates the awesome insight of HG Wells as laid out in his book “1984”.
Sorry to be picky, but George Orwell wrote 1984 (in 1948, which I have always thought of as a neat little symmetry). H. G. wells wrote War of the Worlds. I know it’s not important to your overall point, but Orell made a huge impact on political discourse and of course it’s where we get the descriptor “Orwellian”.
Yes I’m sure Anne meant to say George Orwell instead of HG Wells.
Mind you there is this;
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/wells-inspired-orwells-1984/159187.article
“The article said of When the Sleeper Wakes: “In this book, Wells drops all traces of optimism and forecasts a highly organised totalitarian society based quite frankly upon slave labour.”
Thank-you red blooded. Stupid mistake. Glad you mentioned Orwellian because that is exactly where we are now down to the faux wars with Oceania to keep the mindless citizens dutiful and quiet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteen_Eighty-Four
The similarity to what is actually happening is downright scary.
But further, there is a connection in style and substance between Orwell 1984 and HG Wells. Google Says :
Wells inspired Orwell’s 1984 – Times Higher Education
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/…/wells…orwells-1984/159187.article
… by George Orwell has hinted at the debt that 1984, arguably his finest novel, owed to a similarly bleak work by the Utopian science fiction writer H. G. Wells.
I’m pretty sure we’re actually at war with Eastasia, Anne.
Yeah well, I was looking at it from the point of view that Eastasia was at war with Oceania – according to the Oceania government.
“No system of mass surveillance has existed in any society that we know of to this point that has not been abused. When we look at the German Stasi for example, they were a state security bureau set up to protect their nation, to protect the stability of their political system, which they considered to be under threat. They were ordinary citizens like anyone else. They believed they were doing the right thing, they believed they were doing a good thing. But when we look at them in historic terms, what were they doing to their people? What were they doing to the countries around them? What was the net impact of their mass indiscriminate spying campaigns? And we can see it more clearly.”
Edward Snowden: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/18/-sp-edward-snowden-nsa-whistleblower-interview-transcript
Kiwiri,
I loved your comment about the East German Stasi (secret Police)
We are only a whisker away from this with the current surveillance, and Black op’s type activities this NatZ mob, and the chilling warnings John Key threatened Labour Front benches with just before end of July in Parliament debates, when he warned them with the large amount of dirt he has in his top draw threat he could spread around if he wanted on Labour.
He is the Minister of Intelligence, is this blackmail Stasi style then?
East Germany Stasi (secret police)
Under Erich Mielke, its director from 1957 to 1989, the Stasi became a highly effective secret police organization. Within East Germany it sought to infiltrate every institution of society and every aspect of daily life, including even intimate personal and familial relationships. It accomplished this goal both through its official apparatus and through a vast network of informants and unofficial collaborators (inoffizielle Mitarbeiter), who spied on and denounced colleagues, friends, neighbours, and even family members. By 1989 the Stasi relied on 500,000 to 2,000,000 collaborators as well as 100,000 regular employees, and it maintained files on approximately 6,000,000 East German citizensâmore than one-third of the population.
In addition to domestic surveillance, the Stasi was also responsible for foreign surveillance and intelligence gathering through its Main Administration for Foreign Intelligence (Hauptverwaltung AufklĂ€rung). Its foreign espionage activities were largely directed against the West German government and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Under Markus Wolf, its chief of foreign operations from 1958 to 1987, the Stasi extensively penetrated West Germanyâs government and military and intelligence services, including the inner circle of West German Chancellor Willy Brandt (1969â74); indeed, the discovery in April 1974 that a top aid to Brandt, GĂŒnter Guillaume, was an East German spy led to Brandtâs resignation two weeks later.
@ disturbed 14
German words seem so much longer and more complex than English ones. We could never get such an efficient surveillance system going, we aren’t clever enough. We don’t do smart codes and encryption, we do Playboy magazines and sandwiches in greaseproof. Being simple might keep us innocent and so safe from such entrapment.
Corin Dann’s interview with Robert Amsterdam
http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/ta-tvnz-index-group-2556429
Key is readying himself definitely, he is readying himself to leave the country.
So, a Pullitzer Prize-winning journalist gets called “Dotcom’s Henchman”.
While Cameron Slater is a respectable, award-winning blogger.
Slater is most likely to be a henchman, as he and Gerry Brownlee were throwing people down the stairs after interjecting at National party public meetings
@Thinker
Yes, we are simply in an Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland fantasy. The election is the equivalent of the tea party regularly shifting to new places at the table.
The gist of Alice’s tea party chapter seems very much in parallel with the present political buffoonery. Weird. In fact I suggest that everyone take a break from discussing our political maneouvres and read this excerpt of Alice. Great bit of lateral thinking or just a short holiday from attempting to see meaningful shapes of policy and democracy through fog.
Alice felt dreadfully puzzled. The Hatter’s remark seemed to have no sort of meaning in it, and yet it was certainly [Bill] English. `I don’t quite understand you,’ she said, as politely as she could.
`The Dormouse is asleep again,’ said the Hatter, and he poured a little hot tea upon its nose.
The Dormouse shook its head impatiently, and said, without opening its eyes, `Of course, of course; just what I was going to remark myself.’
So here’s the link to Key’s interview on Q+A this morning;
http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/government-considered-mass-surveillance-but-ruled-john-key-video-6080067
If I understand him correctly, what he’s saying is that the Government asked the GCSB to go away and come back with a plan for mass surveillance of New Zealanders. John Key admitted that he and his advisers had asked for a plan to do that.
He says that the question they asked the GCSB is “what would the gold standard look like?” And the GCSB came back and said “mass surveillance.” Was anyone sacked for thinking that spying on New Zealanders qualified as “the gold standard”?
And you do know that Snowden did no hacking, right? None. And if hacking is a crime, isn’t that somewhat libelous to state as fact that someone has committed a crime?
I would like to know whether John Key even thinks civil liberties are important. Because the way he came across in that interview was very much “I will do whatever it takes to keep New Zealand safe.” That left absolutely nothing ruled out, which must mean he thinks nothing of civil liberties.
I find his lack of passion on the matter to be very, very disturbing,
I thought his spin was a whole lot of gobbledygook.
He mixes in Kitteridge with cyber attacks and gold standard when they are all different issues.
Kitteridge was sent in to do a desk review after the illegal activity exposed by the Dot Com court hearings. They were doing more than spying on KDC, the famous 88 were mentioned in a rather obtuse way. How did they find this group of people unless it was by general mass surveillance ?
Cyber attcaks on ‘two’ major NZ businesses is another red herring. You dont combat targeted cyber attacks by having mass surveillance plans ( gold standard or not). Cyber attacks are usually incoming at a few points of a computer network. You get permission to install your monitoring at their business or place they store their data.
It simply strains credibility that they put the cart ( detailed mass surveillance techniques) before the horse ( whether this is legal, which it wasnt at the time)
You see this all the in court, police have pictures of offender going into bank, offender claims he was only going to make a deposit. Then when you have picture of offender pointing a gun at teller, they say that it was someone else. Facile reasons after incriminating evidence is revealed
But it’s just like Norton antivirus!! Which is something you can only say to people who know very little about how these things actually work.
A dumb electorate is a good electorate. Remember that.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/10497760/Analysis-Whos-fooling-who-on-spying-claims
Even key Key sycophant Tracey Watkins is asking questions about why the public hadn’t heard about the mass spying “business case”, which was proposed when a couple of large companies got hacked and begged for government help, until Glenn Greenwald brought it up.