(cross-posted from World of Pancakes)
"Without the right of privacy, there is no real freedom of speech or freedom of opinion, and so there is no actual democracy. Without respect for [a nation's] sovereignty, there is no basis for proper relations among nations. Those who want a strategic partnership cannot possibly allow recurring and illegal action to go on as if they were an ordinary practice."
In another time, you might have thought that this was a statement by someone in the United States railing against tyranny and censorship and all the things the U.S. is rumored to be against. As you may have guessed, this is
a statement against U.S. actions by the President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff.
Her statement, made to the United Nations, was in response to the disclosure that the NSA was spying on, well, pretty much everyone everywhere always. She suggested that the U.S. was no longer a trustworthy of the internet and, frankly, I agree with her.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., yet another online privacy service has decided to shut its doors. Like LavaBit and SilentCircle, CrytoSeal has decided that it is no longer possible to offer real security and remain within the confines of U.S. law. Twenty years ago, I would never have imagined it would come to this. This isn't a great deal different than all door lock companies deciding to shut down because it's illegal to make locks without giving the government the key to everyone's front door. I hesitate to use the word "unbelievable" in these strange days, but it fits, doesn't it?
Ugh. Well, it'd be rude to dump all that on you without a payoff at the end, so how about some Jets To Brazil?