John Key refused to answer a question from Green co-leader Russel Norman as to whether the GCSB receives “funding directly or indirectly from the Government of the United States” – a relevant question given Snowden’s information that the NSA is funding its British counterpart, the GCHQ
It is no longer a question of whether or not we agree with the Moslem Brotherhood. When people are being massacred by a military regime for exercising their democratic right to protest, then we must speak out. We must stand with them.
There are several unanswered questions, in the wake of the Snowden revelations, about the GCSB’s contribution to the US National Security Agency’s global surveillance programme.
How easily the convenience of modern computer systems is turned against us. Just because it is more economical for Parliamentary Service to have all MPs emails on one big server this doesn’t give the Service the right to pry into the activities of the elected servants of the people.
Is the NSA subsidizing the GCSB either in money or provision of sophisticated equipment? If it is, this might explain the refusal of Prime Ministers Clark and Key to give out any information as to the cost to the taxpayer of the Waihopai spy station.
In some ways, Dzokhar’s apparent rationalisation for letting off explosives mirrors Barack Obama’s, when he orders drone strikes in Pakistan, knowing that most of those killed or wounded will be innocent civilians. For both men, civilian casualties are seen as an unfortunate overhead of the “war”.
Being absorbed into the Five Eyes also restricts New Zealand’s ability to conduct an independent foreign policy. No less stupid is John Key’s promotion of the GCSB Bill and the Telecommunications Interception Capability Bill requiring all telecom and internet firms to be “intercept capable”.
This week on Citizen A host Martyn Bradbury, Julie Fairey & Keith Locke debate whether this latest poll scare Labour’s caucus into reconsidering Shearer as leader? Would a NZ First backed GCSB bill be the worst outcome for New Zealand? What did Auckland mayor Len Brown give away to get the support of this National-led Government?