Comments on: FDL Book Salon Welcomes James Bamford, Author of The Shadow Factory

By: khence

khence — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:05:57 +0000

Mr. Bamford, I think they now use NARUS software to datamine. And how convenient their guy Crowell was at NARUS to help make the whole massive domestic spying deal comes together. Have you ever interviewed Crowell about this? Now that would be an interview I’d like to read.

By: cbl2

cbl2 — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:07:12 +0000

probably both .

a few years later, I was designated den mother and tour guide for 2 dozen Chinese nationals (we were building them a coupla Fabs) my husband informed his bosses, someone called our company to make sure it was all on the okey doke and I agreed to tell him nothing of my time with them

hindsight tells me it was SigInt

By: Peterr

Peterr — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:06:47 +0000

That shift does not surprise me, nor does it fill me with confidence.

I’m sure if you could work out some time in your schedule, the folks here at FDL would be happy to have you back for a followup chat on what the transition in administrations could mean for the intelligence community.

Thanks for coming!

(And I second what Teddy said about the book @ 111!!)

By: Hugh

Hugh — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:06:37 +0000

Any discussion of the marine cable breaks last year?

By: pdaly

pdaly — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:05:30 +0000

Thanks for the book and the visit.

Thanks, ew and BevW.

By: spocko

spocko — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:04:34 +0000

I’ll take this opportunity to remind everyone to BUY MR. BAMFORD’S BOOK. In order for him to afford to keep doing this kind of work he needs to be funded. Buy the book.

And for whistle blowers to have someone to go to they need people like Mr. Bamford to exist and be knowledgeable. Go. Buy it.

Whistle blowers are some of the most courageous people in the government and it isn’t all movie contracts and Presidential Metal of Freedom awards after you come forward. It’s fear and doubt and preparation of a life of uncertainty, both financially professionally. You are often attacked by the crazy right wing media for being traitors when you are the exact opposite, a patriot of the highest order, someone who serves the constitution and not a man, especially not a man who pretends he is above the law.

I think of the lawyers who stood up to the Bush Admin for what they knew was happening regarding torture. I think of the brilliant math and computer people within the NSA who are deeply troubled by how their work has been perverted when it has been used lawlessly. They are some of the brightest minds of our nation and I know that the ethical issues trouble them. They have worked within a system that has broken its own rules. I hope that with the new administration they have a “Church committee” to go to, but if not I hope that they will seek out Mr. Bamford.

So let’s all make sure Mr. Bamford becomes a well funded author so he can keep doing this kind of work. Of course when the Puzzle Palace is made into a movie he will REALLY be on easy street, but I’ve heard that the script hasn’t been green lighted yet. :-)

By: emptywheel

emptywheel — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:03:44 +0000

Mr. Bamford

Thanks for joining us! We’ve all followed the rise of Bush’s surveillance state closely; it was an honor to have you join us today.

By: James Bamford

James Bamford — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:02:59 +0000

I’m sorry I didn’t have a chance to answer all the questions — maybe at another time. Many thanks to Bev and Marcy and everyone else at Firedonglake for the opportunity to chat with you.

By: kirk murphy

kirk murphy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:02:01 +0000

Mr Bamford, thanks for being here today and all your years of investigative journalism. Thanks to EW and Bev for bringing us this opportunity.

By: James Bamford

James Bamford — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:01:44 +0000

Good question but I don’t have an answer.