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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTaliban fighters shrug off NSA surveillance revelations: ‘We knew’
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/06/14/taliban-fighters-shrug-off-nsa-surveillance-revelations-we-knew/Former Taliban fighters in Jalalabad. (Noorullah Shirzada/AFP/Getty Images)
KABUL Like the rest of the world, Taliban officials learned last week of the U.S. governments large-scale surveillance program on citizens and foreigners, which included access to a massive amount of information gathered from online communications.
Unlike many Americans, the Taliban was not surprised by the news.
We knew about their past efforts to trace our system, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told The Washington Post. We have used our technical resources to foil their efforts and have been able to stop them from succeeding so far.
The U.S. military and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force havent tried to hide their efforts to keep track of Taliban activity. Floating, blimp-like aerostats use cameras to keep an eye on all activity below. For years, U.S. soldiers and their Afghan counterparts have listened in to Taliban radio communications. The Taliban, knowing their conversations were tapped, would often attempt to mislead snooping Americans, discussing ambushes that never materialized.
WovenGems
(776 posts)I was stunned that so many millions of my peers knew not one thing about the NSA. Or it could be they did but love a good conspiracy party. One or the other.
Logical
(22,457 posts)When the NSA bought three Cray computers. And just knew they would use those monsters to tap all communications at that time. I waited for an investigation to end up in court that relied on NSA data. Didn't happen. Meaning NSA was a lot like the ULTRA program of WW2. So I didn't fear them in the least.
MuseRider
(34,136 posts)the Gladys Kravitz of the world. I do not mean this to be funny either, it just popped into my head and seemed appropriate.
Watching everyone, tapping everyone. Seems everyone knew except most of the American public........ABNER!!!
MuseRider
(34,136 posts)avatar these days
Thanks. My mother got to be much like that as she was alone and growing older. It was creepy what she knew about the neighbors.
xchrom
(108,903 posts)the least little thing goes on in my neighborhood has me peeking about.
MuseRider
(34,136 posts)but living out here in the country, even though I am just outside a little community and have a few neighbors, there is nothing to see. I can tell you what birds have been by or how many trains have come through but nothing on neighbors. Probably for the best.
xchrom
(108,903 posts)malaise
(269,239 posts)Catherina
(35,568 posts)That is a great illustration of common knowledge, which is why Im surprised that so many DU folks seem so shocked WTF have people been doing for the last 50 years?
xchrom
(108,903 posts)our shadow government since damn near it's beginnings.
Logical
(22,457 posts)That one is easy; he leaked information and went into hiding if you have TS clearance that is a no no. If he was just some dude off street he would get the Alex Jones treatment. Regardless there is nothing Joe Citizen can do to change the State, protest and information leakers think they are going to change the world, News Flash they are not. Now if anyone has a better Option Im all ears.
xchrom
(108,903 posts)that's some strange invention or projection to say they haven't.
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)...and now the racket is exposed for all to see.
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)They're about revenge against those who dare to break National Security Omerta, exposing the scam for all to see.
Snowden revealed nothing that would genuinely endanger anyone.
xchrom
(108,903 posts)Mr Dixon
(1,185 posts)Agreed
The Straight Story
(48,121 posts)jsr
(7,712 posts)True or not, Im not seeing that problem with assuming they do track all of us at one point or another instead of believing that we are free to say and do as we please which is not factual.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)...only some Americans were surprised. Taliban responds to OMG-gate.