Cyber Czar Will Be On National Security And Economic Counsel Staffs

President Obama announced the creation of a new cyber czar position. The President stated that the czar will be on both the National Security and Economic Counsel staff. Obama also noted that whoever he appoints to the position will safeguard privacy and civil liberties (0:24)
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NSA eavesdropping on personal calls of Americans

Jay Tamboli speaks with James Bamford about his new book, The Shadow Factory: The Ultra-Secret NSA from 9/11 to the Eavesdropping on America. Bamford talks about the NSA's monitoring of communications and the lack of oversight of the NSA, the largest intelligence agency in the world. (9:24)
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Balancing civil liberties and cyber security

Deputy Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security Paul A. Schneider says that the government has the right to monitor those who try to gain access to their networks. (0:23)
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Terrorist watch list is an impediment in the war on terror

Barry Steinhardt, director of the ACLU Technology and Liberty Program, says that the terrorist watch list is unfair, out of control, incompetently administered, and treats the rights of innocents as an afterthought, and is a very real impediment in the war on terror. (0:29)


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FBI success dependent on public trust

FBI Director Robert Mueller says to be successful as a global law enforcement the FBI must strike a balance between safeguarding civil liberties and preventing terrorist attacks. He says scrutiny from Congress, the public, and the press improves the FBI’s ability to protect the people while respecting their rights, and that the bureau’s success depends on the nation’s trust in the FBI. (0:58)
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Whistleblowers offer a check on government actions

Walter E. Fauntroy discusses the importance of whistleblowers and the maintaining of civil liberties. He also commends Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and her work with the No FEAR legislation today.(0:55)
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Thompson says DHS is working to preserve civil liberties

At the Center for American Progress's discussion on the "State of Homeland Security," Congressman and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) says that preserving civil liberties is "an issue" for the department, and discusses his experience being "spied on" by the FBI during his youth as a civil rights activist. He said the committee is in the process of vetting every program that the department produces "to make sure that a nation of laws is also one that protects its citizens." (1:17)
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At a United States Institute of Peace Panel Discussion, Mona Yacoubian Says the U.S. Should Engage Rather Than Isolate Syria in Pursuit of Human Rights

Mona Yacoubian, special adviser at the Muslim World Initiative of USIP, says that an isolationist policy must be greatly increased if it is to yield results, and consequently becomes less attractive. She recommends a policy of engagement as a more effective technique. (0:39)
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Steven Heydemann of the United States Institute of Peace Discusses Events Preceding the Syrian Government's Recent Crackdown Against Opposition Groups

Steven Heydemann, vice president of grants and fellowships at USIP, discusses the factors leading to the Syrian government's recent crackdown against opposition groups and poor human rights record at a panel discussion. He says that perceptions of impunity on the part of the Syrian regime are reinforced by such events as the upcoming Arab League summit in Damascus and that this makes for low "opportunity cost of repression." (0:50)
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Congressman Reyes says that "we will not go dark" when the Protect America Act expires

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX), speaking at a press conference on Capitol Hill, says that the National Security Agency will still be able to conduct surveillance by getting court approval in a matter of minutes or even after the fact. (0:23)
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Majority Leader Hoyer says that the Bush Administration prefers to act without oversight, but that that is "neither necessary nor proper"

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), speaking at a press conference on Capitol Hill, says that the Bush Administration would rather act unilaterally without oversight than to go to court, but that is "neither necessary nor proper," and both the Senate and House FISA reform bills include the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. (0:24)
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Congressman Conyers says that Congress cannot pass telecom immunity without knowing the specifics of the wiretapping program

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI), speaking at a press conference on Capitol Hill, addresses the White House's failure to grant the full House Judiciary Committee access to documentation of the Terrorist Surveillance Program. He says that the Congress cannot grant immunity to the telecommunications companies until they know what they are granting immunity for. (0:28)

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Congressman Conyers says that FISA reform can protect security and liberties at the same time

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI), speaking at a press conference on Capitol Hill, says that the Democrats will work with Republicans to pass FISA reform that protects both security and liberties, but they will need to reject rhetoric of fear. (0:32)
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