Hacker News Reader

Comment by cryptoz | Hacker News Reader

Obama was pushing and voting for mass surveillance long before his presidency, as far back as 2006 when he voted to increase the powers and extend the timeline of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing the Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (USA PATRIOT).

View on HN

To be fair nearly everyone voted for that. Few had the spine to be "soft on terror" in the 2000s.

"Everyone was evil, it was the style at the time."

No thanks, that attitude sounds poisonous and dismissive of reality, dismissive of our ability to live and govern and grow and learn.

I voted for Dennis Kucinich that election, a person who did not vote for USA PATRIOT. Many people stood up for human rights and values and real freedom. It wasn't something that took a spine, it's something that takes common sense and compassion and logic.

https://votesmart.org/bill/votes/8289

"VT At-Large Rep. Bernard 'Bernie' Sanders Independent Nay"

Along with almost 60 democrats, 2 republicans, and a few other independents.

I said few, not none. I give Sanders and Paul credit.

Rep. Ronald Ernest 'Ron' Paul Republican Nay Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich Democratic Nay

Nay: 66

Like Sanders is any kind of special snowflake. You don't have to get socialism to get someone against mass surveillance.

Yet we're told Obama doesn't do that sort of groupthink, and given as example his opposition to the Iraq war; talking point #1 when campaigning against Hillary.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com