With retired Air Force General James Clapper expected to gain confirmation as the new national intelligence chief, it might be a good time for renewed pursuit of the question of public oversight in this area.
The technology of today makes the espionage of earlier generations appear dwarf-like in comparison. It’s become easily understood that we’re all under layers of surveillance from both government and public spying.
But just how can the public get the upper hand and force the professional intelligence gatherers and their patrons into a zone of accountability?
Should the public continue to permit themselves to be suspended in naivety like a flock of factory chicken—believing that they are being thoughtfully looked after by kind servants? Or just figure they have little to be wary of personally because their lives are disconnected from anything that would matter to the spies?
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