THE "F" WORD MIGHT VISIT THIS BLOG IN THE NEAR FUTURE

I really don't want to go hysterical about the NSA/Internet/Phone revelations but this story started me thinking that "fascist" might be the best way to described Pres. Obama's Brave New America.

U.S. Agencies Said to Swap Data With Thousands of Firms
By Michael Riley - Jun 14, 2013 10:45 AM MT
BLOOMBERG NEWS

Thousands of technology, finance and manufacturing companies are working closely with U.S. national security agencies, providing sensitive information and in return receiving benefits that include access to classified intelligence, four people familiar with the process said.

Many of these same Internet and telecommunications companies voluntarily provide U.S. intelligence organizations with additional data, such as equipment specifications, that don’t involve private communications of their customers, the four people said.

Makers of hardware and software, banks, Internet security providers, satellite telecommunications companies and many other companies also participate in the government programs.

In exchange, leaders of companies are showered with attention and information by the agencies to help maintain the relationship, the person said.

I understand that cyberwarfare and cybercrime requires collaboration between the Feds and private companies but I'm a little worried that the companies & the government may become too friendly at the expense of privacy and free speech.