Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Divernan

(15,480 posts)
34. Here's the "actual language" of concern.
Wed Jul 10, 2013, 08:53 AM
Jul 2013
Sec. 6.1. There is established an interagency Insider Threat Task Force that shall develop a Government-wide program (insider threat program) for deterring, detecting, and mitigating insider threats, including the safeguarding of classified information from exploitation, compromise, or other unauthorized disclosure, taking into account risk levels, as well as the distinct needs, missions, and systems of individual agencies. This program shall include development of policies, objectives, and priorities for establishing and integrating security, counterintelligence, user audits and monitoring, and other safeguarding capabilities and practices within agencies.


There you have vague, undefined and totally unrestricted language allowing subjective interpretation and application by & within each federal agency.

One of the principles of legislative drafting - which I have done for a legislature, and which I taught law students how to do - is that a key section of a law is the "definitions" section, which controls how the law can be interpreted and implemented. How important is a definition of a word? Just ask sharp lawyer, Bill Clinton: "It depends on what your definition of 'is' is." The phrase "other safeguarding capabilities and practices" could not be vaguer or more open-ended. With a phrase like this tacked on, there are NO limits on the type and degree of spying on employees which can be done. I think most employees understand they have no expectation of privacy at work re their computer, their desk, etc. Put this order can be interpreted to authorize spying on them 24/7. Put a tracking device on their personal car? Follow them on their lunch break? Track their credit card usage? It's all good under this order.

The scenario envisioned by this Order sounds like an unbelievable dystopia.

If you don't look like a threat to the state East Coast Pirate Jul 2013 #1
Sounds so "Cold War Russia" FreakinDJ Jul 2013 #2
I was thinking Cold War US Cronus Protagonist Jul 2013 #24
more and more like Bush every day burnodo Jul 2013 #3
To be more like Bush he would need to turn around... Demo_Chris Jul 2013 #47
+1 truebluegreen Jul 2013 #61
+2 Enthusiast Jul 2013 #68
my mental model of American presidents is 'The Blob' markiv Jul 2013 #73
Pretty much. THIS is the side of government one must fear... Demo_Chris Jul 2013 #84
This message was self-deleted by its author LumosMaxima Jul 2013 #4
Agreed. People will report minorities, gays,.... HooptieWagon Jul 2013 #57
don't overlook the revenge factor.. frylock Jul 2013 #63
Trayvon Martin was "behaviour profiled" Cronus Protagonist Jul 2013 #72
We know it doesn't work Savannahmann Jul 2013 #5
The "secrets" they most want to keep are those with the least real justification Fumesucker Jul 2013 #8
That is the worst of it. Chemisse Jul 2013 #14
Agreed. It's disgusting. They are protecting their gravy train with overclassification. GoneFishin Jul 2013 #33
Imagine the conversations we would be having on DU if Mitt Romney had won Fumesucker Jul 2013 #6
ROFL! Le Taz Hot Jul 2013 #36
+1000 for this ^^^ GoneFishin Jul 2013 #65
You are right Art_from_Ark Jul 2013 #37
I think ctsnowman Jul 2013 #39
Actual Liberals/Progressives are not the problem. RC Jul 2013 #40
... leftstreet Jul 2013 #46
ROFL!!! Classic! :) Demo_Chris Jul 2013 #48
Thank Nader for Romney Capt. Obvious Jul 2013 #50
And who did the 2000 Democratic Vice Presidential candidate campaign for in 2008? Fumesucker Jul 2013 #54
Snark DUzy! winter is coming Jul 2013 #56
win! frylock Jul 2013 #64
Pfft! Enthusiast Jul 2013 #69
it's just the Obama-obssessed, Fumesucker Skittles Jul 2013 #70
Don't give up. You convinced me that all is not lost yet only a few weeks ago. Egalitarian Thug Jul 2013 #75
Bwah! woo me with science Jul 2013 #77
What's next - special fast track awards based on how many forestpath Jul 2013 #7
Leadership is rooted out by the thought-police. Chef Eric Jul 2013 #9
Truly prophetic. All Orwell got wrong was the year. Chemisse Jul 2013 #16
forward facing cameras and microphones RitchieRich Jul 2013 #25
OMG. I did not know that. Chemisse Jul 2013 #66
Don't be so sure nadinbrzezinski Jul 2013 #45
I'm seeing insanity at work in this government. (not kidding) Waiting For Everyman Jul 2013 #10
I'll refrain from characterizing President Obama, but yes, we're seeing insanity at work cali Jul 2013 #12
crazy parnoid is how it sounds leftyohiolib Jul 2013 #22
They never learn. bemildred Jul 2013 #11
Obama is onto something! Putting America back to work with the Insider Threat Program. democrank Jul 2013 #13
LOL! Chemisse Jul 2013 #17
What I have to say about this is simple: It gives the creeps in a big way. cali Jul 2013 #15
And of course all of the roughly 2.25 million federal workers on payroll would be conscientious. BornLooser Jul 2013 #18
A double hit on federal workers Chemisse Jul 2013 #19
Not true. Honest and dedicated Federal employees have always been custodians of Federal resources. kelliekat44 Jul 2013 #31
Executive Order 13587 -- Structural Reforms to Improve the Security of Classified Networks and struggle4progress Jul 2013 #20
... Barlow said the policy “does not mandate” that employees report behavior indicators ... struggle4progress Jul 2013 #21
of course it doesn't. But the program is bad enough. Do you actually support this nonsense? cali Jul 2013 #23
I posted the Executive Order you're so upset about. Perhaps you could point out struggle4progress Jul 2013 #27
bwahahahahaha. cali Jul 2013 #29
For starters, maybe you could just point out the actual language that concerns you struggle4progress Jul 2013 #30
why? seriously, I've told you what concerns me. why on earth should I address this? cali Jul 2013 #32
Here's the "actual language" of concern. Divernan Jul 2013 #34
It's not legislation: it's an Executive Order. Existing statutes aren't modified struggle4progress Jul 2013 #38
Regardless, Divernan pointed to that part of the rules that he found troubling cali Jul 2013 #43
Executive orders "have the force of law":I referred to it 2x as an Order! Divernan Jul 2013 #44
This is what dictatorships do to try and stop defectors davidn3600 Jul 2013 #26
Federal Civil servants have alwlays been to advised or asked to report fraud, waste, and abuse of kelliekat44 Jul 2013 #28
Ok three things... Volaris Jul 2013 #35
This reminds me of the toon ctsnowman Jul 2013 #41
Yeesh. Any reply I make to this will surely end up with someone screaming bullwinkle428 Jul 2013 #42
So he wants us to be the thought police, eh? Apophis Jul 2013 #49
Obama has become a ghoulish combo of avaistheone1 Jul 2013 #51
something is wrong with him. nt boilerbabe Jul 2013 #52
I was surprised to see this in today's newspaper. Blue_In_AK Jul 2013 #53
The corproate media follows the money Harmony Blue Jul 2013 #55
"Those who fail to report them could face penalties, including criminal charges." winter is coming Jul 2013 #58
Will someone inform me mick063 Jul 2013 #59
Disgusting. truebluegreen Jul 2013 #60
Don't Suspect A Friend: Report Him! kenny blankenship Jul 2013 #62
More faux outrage.. HipChick Jul 2013 #67
Now now, we know Obama outrage has no expiration date on the DU. great white snark Jul 2013 #71
no dear, it is not faux. cali Jul 2013 #76
If I'd known of it in 2011, I'd have been disgusted by it then cali Jul 2013 #80
I think I even posted it on here back in 2011... HipChick Jul 2013 #82
call me naive but this strikes me as 1- extraordinarily counterproductive and.. steve2470 Jul 2013 #74
With the utter disrespect for the rule of law and classified information, it's a shame AllINeedIsCoffee Jul 2013 #78
Creepy, creepy, creepy and disturbing. woo me with science Jul 2013 #79
It has gotten funnier. Savannahmann Jul 2013 #81
Kick woo me with science Jul 2013 #83
kick woo me with science Jul 2013 #85
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»President's 'rat out your...»Reply #34