Spy Balloons: The ultimate distraction.

Somehow, we’re still talking about spy balloons. Long-forgotten are the revelations of Edward Snowden, who uncovered mass surveillance programs under the NSA and other U.S. agencies. Since that time, we’ve come to learn more and more about the capabilities of multiple U.S. agencies to surveil its own citizens. The spy balloon narrative overshadows the steady erosion of civil liberties in our own backyard.

Resources

James Fallows: What the Hell is Happening in the Sky?

The Soldiers Project: How Many US Military Bases Are There in the World?

The Guardian: US intelligence spending has doubled since 9/11, top secret budget reveals

South China Morning Post: Edward Snowden: US government has been hacking Hong Kong and China for years

Spiegel: European Union

Spiegel: NSA Spied on European Union Offices

WikiLeaks: Vault 7: CIA Hacking Tools Revealed

The Intercept: NSA Blimp Spied in the United States

Truthdig: Truthdigger of the Week: Alexa O’Brien

UNFTR YouTube: Much Ado About a Spy Balloon

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