USA’s Director of National Intelligence claims letting people know they are being spied on is ‘reprehensible’

Barack Obama’s Director of National Intelligence made the news for his comments about spying on that country’s spyed residents:

June 7, 2013

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper called the disclosure of an Internet surveillance program “reprehensible” …

A special panel known as the FISA Court authorizes the phone records program and reviews it about every 90 days, Clapper said, adding that the Justice Department oversees information acquired under the court order and that members of Congress have been fully and repeatedly briefed…

Clapper also cited the USA Patriot Act and noted both the Obama and Bush administrations had reauthorized the provision used to grant authority to the program. That provision deals with the ability to compel an entity to hand over business records.

The Internet operation is allowing the National Security Agency and the FBI to tap directly into the central servers of nine major Internet companies to extract audio, video, photos, emails and documents and lets analysts track an individual’s communication, CBS News has learned.

The program, called PRISM, was established in 2007, according to The Washington Post http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57588168/u.s-intel-chief-blasts-leaks-on-web-phone-use-tracking/

June 7, 2013

WASHINGTON — The top U.S. spy chief has slammed the leak of top-secret documents that have shed light on how the government collects information on people’s telephone records and Internet use.

In a statement late Thursday, James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, defended the programs as crucial to U.S. anti-terror activities, and warned their exposure threatens national security.

“The unauthorized disclosure of a top-secret U.S. court document threatens potentially long-lasting and irreversible harm to our ability to identify and respond to the many threats facing our nation,” said Clapper…

He also insisted the Internet monitoring program, allegedly code-named “PRISM,” cannot be used to intentionally target U.S. citizens or those living in the United States. He said it involves extensive procedures to ensure that information collected “incidentally” on U.S. persons is protected.

“Information collected under this program is among the most important and valuable foreign intelligence information we collect, and is used to protect our nation from a wide variety of threats,” said Clapper…

In a statement, American Civil Liberties Union deputy legal director Jameel Jaffer said “the program could hardly be more alarming.” He said “innocent people” had been put under constant government surveillance.

Could prompt debate in Congress

“When law-abiding Americans make phone calls, who they call, when they call and where they call from is private information,” said Ron Wyden, a Democratic Senator from the western state of Oregon, “As a result of the disclosures that came to light today, we’re going to have a real debate in the Congress and the country that’s long overdue.”

Officials say the surveillance powers fall under the Patriot Act, which was signed into law by former President George W. Bush in 2001. President Barack Obama has extended key provisions of the act, as has Congress. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-spy-chief-slams-leaks-on-surviellance-program/1677016.html

June 7, 2013

The Obama administration found itself defending — and beginning to explain — yet another surveillance effort after leaked documents revealed information about two secret National Security Agency intelligence-gathering programs. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/06/07/intelligence-officials-reportedly-mining-data-from-us-internet-companies/?cmpid=cmty_twitter_fn#ixzz2VXSgxku2

Liberal Western societies are not as free and open as many seem to pretend. Communications and financial records are constantly being looked over by “Big Brother.” In the past, American leaders would have tended to consider that to be ‘reprehensible.’ Now, letting people know some of the truth about some of the surveillance is considered to be that way.

Thus, just for being speaking on the telephone or using the internet, whether or not you committed any crime, your records are subject to review and being analyzed by the State. The USA is really setting the stage for the European Beast power to trample over human rights for the good of the State. Interestingly, one who I am watching as a possible candidate to be the biblical ‘King of the North,’ was responsibility over an ‘internet freedom’ program for the European Union (see Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North?).

This governmental surveillance sometimes affects what many say or do, despite so-called “constitutional protections” that are supposed to guarantee free speech and warrant-less searches (in the USA, that would be the first and fourth amendments to its constitution).

I believe it will have even more ramifications.

I watched an interview on the news last night where one or more proponents want more ‘hate speech’ laws. Essentially, the LGBT (homosexual/transvestite) community wants these as they do not want people to support biblical standards of morality.

The Bible tells of a time, which to a degree we are now in, when a certain amount of self-censorship will be needed:

2 For I know your manifold transgressions
And your mighty sins:
Afflicting the just and taking bribes;
Diverting the poor from justice at the gate.
13 Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time,
For it is an evil time. (Amos 5:12-13)

And while some COG groups overly “keep silent,” hence pull-punches in proclamation, the reality is that there is not truly full freedom of truthful speech in countries like the USA without consequences.

However, the final phase of the work will be done and it will trigger persecution. And that is what we in the Continuing Church of God now are leading. And we also are working hard to proclaim what the Bible teaches:

1 Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)

Yet, the Bible warns that other restrictions are coming.

The Bible talks about the fact that God will finish the work and cut it short (Roman 9:28). Notice also the following which could be related to that:

11 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God,
“That I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the Lord.
12 They shall wander from sea to sea,
And from north to east;
They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord,
But shall not find it. (Amos 8:11-12)

The above could only happen in the 21st century if the internet was down and/or internet content related to the truth of God was no longer permitted. Governments are taking steps, including cyber warfare research and internet surveillance, which could bring that about.

In my article on the King of the North, I have the following quote from the late Herbert W. Armstrong:

And the abomination that maketh desolate set up.” What is this abomination? This refers to Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15…From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ’s coming will be 1290 days. Now, verse 12, “Blessed is he that waiteth, and comes to the 1335 days.” Never before have we understood these periods of 1260, 1290. and 1335 days. But it seems evident, now, a blessing is pronounced on us–GOD”S CHURCH–who wait and endure until the 1335 days–approximately 1335 days prior to Christ’s coming. But since no one can know the day or hour of His coming, we probably shall not be able to know the exact day this 1335 days begins. But apparently that is the time when OUR WORK SHALL END. That will be a time when the UNITED Europe shall appear–the revival of the medieval “Holy Roman Empire.” (Armstrong HW. Personal. Good News magazine January 1980).

As the above shows, Herbert W. Armstrong clearly wrote that there would be a future fulfillment of Daniel 11:31 and other verses in Daniel. And as the above shows, he taught that something would stop the work forty-five days prior to Daniel 11:31. A portion of the final phase of the work will be finished (Matthew 24:14) by Daniel 11:31. And there will be persecution (Revelation 12:13-17).

The work may be stopped by government officials (like on the internet, radio, etc.) and persecutions began because the more faithful Philadelphia Christians are warning the world of the results of their sins (which they will not want pointed out) and teaching that the King of the North is fulfilling various prophecies (such as those in Daniel 11). The faithful may be saying things that are not “politically correct” to the point that one or more governments will take action.

Jesus clearly taught that persecution would affect His people just prior to the Great Tribulation beginning:

7 And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another (Matthew 24:7-10).

21 For then there will be great tribulation (Matthew 24:21).

So notice that after “the beginning of sorrows,” the true Christians will be delivered up and many killed and many will be betrayed by those pretending to be Christians. And then the Great Tribulation will come shortly thereafter.

As the news has been reporting, the US government and others are now taking steps that are helping to set the stage for this.

But ultimately, Jesus will return and establish the kingdom of God. Until then, we can expect more spying and more restrictions in the future (cf. Revelation 13:15-17).

Some articles with more related details include the following:

The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children. What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on? There is also a YouTube video on this, titled Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? Can homosexuals change?
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. You can have this book nearly immediately! And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.
Prophecy Obama: Prophecies of Barack Obama? Reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.