If it is true that these programs collect data, emails, electronic information, than what sort of implications does this have for the big picture?

Think pipeline, the big trades made through “private servers” that are supposed to be confidential. Think of all the confidential information that passes through the internet relating to corporate inside information. It would be of little matter to sort out information dealing with corporate secrets, all you really need to know is who is talking to whom, and it is easy to connect the dots. Content is simply a bonus.

I do not mean to imply that a civil liberty infraction should be taken lightly, but it seems to me that there are potentially larger potential abuses with such data collection. Enough to effectively shut down economic or political action under the guise of national security.

If they are willing to spy on us, than why not make a few million in the process? Given the private interests of so many in Congress, their corporate relations, the administration, and so on, it would simply come as no surprise to find they might be spying on each other, corporations, investment and hedge fund managers, (Think of the info you could glean from Goldman Sak’s records) and campaign offices.

They don’t want you or I, they want money and power.

Level 3 is a serious player. Seems the Govt likes them these days.

About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT), an international communications company, operates one of the largest Internet backbones in the world, connecting 180 markets in 18 countries. The company serves a broad range of wholesale, enterprise and content customers with a comprehensive suite of services including: Internet Protocol (IP) services, broadband transport and infrastructure services, colocation services, voice and voice over IP services, and content delivery and media distribution services. These services provide the building blocks to enable Level 3’s customers to meet their growing demands for advanced communications solutions. The company’s Web address is http://www.Level3.com.

GSA Awards Level 3 Washington, D.C., Area Local Telecommunications Service Contract
Company Selected as One of Two Telecommunications Carriers Authorized to Bid and Provide Local Service to Federal Agencies
(snip)
As announced by the GSA, Level 3 is one of two companies that were awarded the base four-year contract, with four additional one-year options. This contract gives Level 3 access to a market that up to this point has been available to only a single, incumbent telecommunications provider.

That sounds like the objective is to be able to spy on the communications and computers of the USG. Who would be doing the listening? BushCheneyCo.? A foreign intelligence agency? Multiple entities?

Hmmm.

Let’s not forget the ever popular ProMIS softwarew that was mentioned ONCE in the days after 911.

Through the use of this Windows-based program any computer running Windows can be accessed remotely and the info on the hard drive can be uploaded to a satellite.

Jonathan Pollard used a version of this in sending info to the Israelis.

Can’t imagine they’d use that to spy on Americans, can you?

I wonder about this Laptop.org plan to distribute cheap computers to kids around the world. Do they have spy software built in? It’s run by a Negroponte, so how benign can it be?

perris @ 88

before I go quick off topic question

lott’s seat is going up for special election

do we have a shot at this seat?

Mike Moore

Somehow I think the mistake that’s begging to be made (Michael Moore?) would really irk wingnutters.

About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT), an international communications company, operates one of the largest Internet backbones in the world, connecting 180 markets in 18 countries. The company serves a broad range of wholesale, enterprise and content customers with a comprehensive suite of services including: Internet Protocol (IP) services, broadband transport and infrastructure services, colocation services, voice and voice over IP services, and content delivery and media distribution services. These services provide the building blocks to enable Level 3’s customers to meet their growing demands for advanced communications solutions. The company’s Web address is http://www.Level3.com.

GSA Awards Level 3 Washington, D.C., Area Local Telecommunications Service Contract
Company Selected as One of Two Telecommunications Carriers Authorized to Bid and Provide Local Service to Federal Agencies
(snip)
As announced by the GSA, Level 3 is one of two companies that were awarded the base four-year contract, with four additional one-year options. This contract gives Level 3 access to a market that up to this point has been available to only a single, incumbent telecommunications provider.

Usually they are the reason I am there to fix the line in the first place.

I just cut them off and throw them in the back of the truck. Then I restore the line to working order and all is well.

Most of this monitoring crap says “Made in China”, no wonder the connection sucks. Must be the local cops, there so dumb.

Yes I have a collection, no you can’t see it. Sorry.

I’m GLAD McCain is calling Clinton and Edwards out. It means they will either have to reply with the bedrock common-sense of:

“Yeah, our military has the entire fucking midlands in semi-lockdown. We should rename Baghdad “Concrete-barrier-and-checkpoint-City”.

What happens when we really start drawing down?”

Or, they can keep quiet and concede the point to McCain and the assholes who’ve created mayhems-r-us.

(There IS the option of reminding the voters, as John Murtha has done several times:

“Why should we listen to YOU people paint rosy “Mission Accomplished” scenarios? You could fuck up a can of peaches and then lie about it.” )

SunnyNobillity @ 130

Where (if at all) does Level 3 Communications, fit into this picture?

What is a level 3 communication?

Refers to the layers of the original OSI networking model.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OSI_Model

SunnyNobillity @ 130

Where (if at all) does Level 3 Communications, fit into this picture?

What is a level 3 communication?

Level 3 is a *major* internet backbone provider. Often seen as L3 comm. I’m out for a couple of hours, but if thread stays open, I’ll be back.

Through the use of this Windows-based program any computer running Windows can be accessed remotely and the info on the hard drive can be uploaded to a satellite.

Jonathan Pollard used a version of this in sending info to the Israelis.