Press Release: PropertyTalk.com is NOT part of PRISM

[speights boy]

So, 5 months on and we may be about to learn a bit more about our spooks.

Snowden might have dirt on GCSB spying

PARLIAMENT - It is thought that it is only a matter of time before United States whistleblower Edward Snowden releases dirt on New Zealand's spies.

Prime Minister John Key concedes there is a high chance Snowden has intelligence on the GCSB's activities.
"He has a massive amount of data from what we can see, and we're a part of the Five Eyes so it's highly likely he's got information that's related to New Zealand.
"In the end, if he does and he releases it, we'll deal with it in due course."

Snowden's revelations about the US and Australian spy agencies snooping on other world leaders have had hard-hitting ramifications for those countries' international ties.

[speights boy]

It is sometimes incredible how far reaching the effects that initial actions such as this can have.
In our neck of the woods, just look at how the Dotcom saga keeps playing out.

Still playing out in the political arena.

Obama reveals Key misleading on spying - Greens

Assurances by Prime Minister John Key that the United States is not spying on New Zealanders have been undermined by statements by US President Barack Obama that the US does not have a "no-spy" agreement with any country, the Green Party said today.

President Barack Obama last night confirmed that there is no country with which the US has a no-spy agreement, despite a previous understanding that New Zealand’s membership of the Five-Eyes intelligence sharing alliance, alongside the US, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, offers protection for New Zealand citizens against spying by member states.

"Prime Minister John Key has assured New Zealanders that the US National Security Agency (NSA) has not been involved in spying on New Zealanders.
Obama’s comments call these assurances into question," Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today.

[speights boy]

Snowden: US worked on NZ law loopholes

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden says the United States' spy agency has helped find or create loopholes in New Zealand law to enable widespread spying.

Mr Snowden told the EU: "One of the foremost activities of the NSA's FAD, or Foreign Affairs Division, is to pressure or incentivise EU member states to change their laws to enable mass surveillance.

In listing New Zealand among countries targeted, he said: "Each of these countries received instruction from the NSA, sometimes under the guise of the US Department of Defense and other bodies, on how to degrade the legal protections of their countries' communications."

Cyber rights group Tech Liberty's spokesman Thomas Beagle said the new laws introduced in New Zealand last year appeared surprisingly quickly.

[Davo36]

Yep, so sad really, we're being controlled to some extent by an overseas spying department. But what can be done about it? Nothing probably.

[speights boy]

The Snowden files: What did we learn?

The much-anticipated Snowden documents are finally out there, with the fugitive whistle-blower explaining their contents by videolink at a 'Moment of Truth' event in Auckland last night.
Andrea Vance examines what the fugitive whistle-blower revealed about New Zealand's spying.
So, what did Edward Snowden say last night?

www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10503457/The-Snowden-files-What-did-we-learn

[donna]

So will this really hurt National on Saturday?

Kiwi's are huge users of Facebook and accept Facebook snoops so maybe it's not such a big deal.

cheers,

Donna

[Damap]

Given how well run the country is over all why would anybody really care? Especially as it's all smoke and mirrors and rumour. The fact is we live in a world now where outfits like Hamas and ISIS could destabilize the globe. If our government needs to spy good on them if it keeps us safer. Better than any other option that might suddenly make us an international target. Sound fiscal policy and keep your head down John!!

[speights boy]

The release of information held by the SIS, and then used to embarrass the opposition is under investigation.
We now see GCSB documents hurriedly declassified in order to defend the Govt.

This misuse of New Zealand’s spying apparatus for the benefit of a single individual is a historic concern, because even if you believe today’s prime minister is beyond reproach, he will not remain in power forever.

What happens tomorrow, when a different leader assumes the same power to conceal and reveal things from the citizenry based not on what is required by free societies, but rather on what needs to be said to keep them in power?

[mrsaneperson]

Given how well run the country is over all why would anybody really care? Especially as it's all smoke and mirrors and rumour. The fact is we live in a world now where outfits like Hamas and ISIS could destabilize the globe. If our government needs to spy good on them if it keeps us safer. Better than any other option that might suddenly make us an international target. Sound fiscal policy and keep your head down John!!

Really? Really? So you think he's running the country well ? We had a 10 billion dollar debt when he first became PM , Now 6 years later the debt is 60 Billion. And you believe the country is being run well. Start asking questions.

[donna]

The final Leaders debate tonight what a spectacle that will be. I wonder if David can control himself - should be well worth watching I suspect.

cheers,

Donna

[speights boy]

^ It's tomorrow night.
Cunliffe wants it extended from 30 mins to 1 hour, in order to allow more time for GCSB questions.
Wonder if Key will agree to that ?

[drelly]

Where is the evidence?

[drelly]

Really? Really? So you think he's running the country well ? We had a 10 billion dollar debt when he first became PM , Now 6 years later the debt is 60 Billion. And you believe the country is being run well. Start asking questions.

Do you seriously think any of the other parties would have borrowed less???

[mrsaneperson]

I dont support either of the main parties. National is basically Labour Lite. What i dont understand is where did the 60 Billion dollar debt come from? That is 6x the original debt from when Key took over , thats a terrible debt for each & everyone of us Kiwis. Yet no one knows what the debt is made up of? Anyone here know what the actual breakdown of the debt is? So far ive ascertained around only 3 billion is from the earthquake.

People have to start asking questions & expect accountability to land us in such a large pool of s@@@.

[speights boy]

Secret dangers of released GCSB documents

Secret documents which John Key says he made public to protect his reputation threatened massive damage to New Zealand's wellbeing if made public without permission, according to the GCSB's own threat estimates.

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11325743