I wrote long comment in the other thread about Obama at SXSW that is currently on the front page [1]. I don't know if it's within HN rules to copy/paste that wholesale here or not. Anyway, it's been suggested that I create a github repo of the sources I've collected so far (I have about 40-50 relevant links to video excerpts, news articles, briefs, etc.). I will do that and post back here.
So far I haven't seen any running list of events maintained by any blog or website that actually links to primary sources. Most websites link to themselves and are full of editorialization. I think if you line the facts up in the right manner and link directly not just to the primary sources but also to the relevant sections of those sources, then the story, equation and solution presents itself. And I think a github repo is a great way to do that. I'd welcome any help reformatting my current summary [2] (which right now is behind and does not include sources from my comment from the other thread), such as adding dates to events, recategorizing items, or adding significant new events. I do not intend to link to every blog post about the issue, just events from major participants such as Apple, the DOJ, politicians, and other public figures.
When considering how the intelligence community could abuse their surveillance powers, most people focus on the coercive possibilities (blackmail). The real power, however, is not in controlling how someone makes decisions, but in controlling the options they have to choose from.
For a very good explanation of this, I recommend this[1] section from an older interview with Jacob Appelbaum about the time the CSE tried to recruit him.
I wasn't implying any sort of devious manipulation via blackmail.
I honestly think he just hasn't thought it through. You can call me an idiot, and people will call you a conspiracist. I've no idea which of us is right, but completely unselfishly, I really hope it is me, and my gut says it's me. Even if it is not me, the course going forward should be the same. We should educate each other about the facts of the current circumstances so we can all weigh the balancing factors in our own minds. Let us not rely on experts here and share our own knowledge in order to empower each other. We do not need to tell people how to think. We can give them the facts and let them make up their own minds.
I completely agree that education is most important.
As for the "manipulation"... generally speaking, nobody ever thinks of themselves as "evil". The well-meaning but simply misinformed or misguided can be just as poor an instructor as someone with malicious intent.
My point is mainly that the president (and other decision-making positions) has to rely on advisers. If those advisers are not providing the necessary, accurate information then they have de facto power over the decision making process. Unlike the coercive strategies, this shift in power can happen without intending it.
> If those advisers are not providing the necessary, accurate information then they have de facto power over the decision making process
Yes, but as it pertains to this particular issue, assuming there's no blackmail involved, if the public is informed and there's one political candidate who is for strong encryption, and another who is for backdoors, then we will vote in the man or woman who is for strong encryption. We may have lived with mandated backdoors for 4 or 8 years, but at some point we'll work our way out of that hole, so long as we stay vigilant and root our knowledge-sharing in facts.
Generally speaking, I agree completely that people can and do leave out facts in order to get what they want. Our government isn't free from this sort of manipulation, but I think we have a darned good system set up compared to some others. Lindsey Graham's change of heart on the encryption issue is evidence of that, as is much of the good work done by our government that often goes under-appreciated by the general public. This isn't the first time our government and people have argued over the proper interpretation of laws, and it won't be the last. Let's recall the successful civil rights movements of the past, remember that other countries still do not have some rights that have existed in the US since its founding, and look forward to winning many more. Free speech, women's right to vote, equal rights for all races. Our system isn't perfect but it has led to some really good things.
So far I haven't seen any running list of events maintained by any blog or website that actually links to primary sources. Most websites link to themselves and are full of editorialization. I think if you line the facts up in the right manner and link directly not just to the primary sources but also to the relevant sections of those sources, then the story, equation and solution presents itself. And I think a github repo is a great way to do that. I'd welcome any help reformatting my current summary [2] (which right now is behind and does not include sources from my comment from the other thread), such as adding dates to events, recategorizing items, or adding significant new events. I do not intend to link to every blog post about the issue, just events from major participants such as Apple, the DOJ, politicians, and other public figures.
[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11270745
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/SandersForPresident/comments/49otvu...