The US is the world's most comprehensive spying power, but not its most effective. For instance, its vast electronic apparatus intercepted two mobile phone messages to the US from suspected Al Qaeda sites in Afghanistan. The date was September 10, 2001.

The US knew a major terrorist attack was coming but didn't know the day or location. The intercepted messages would have answered one question and perhaps, ultimately, both. The first: ''The match begins tomorrow.'' The second: ''Tomorrow is zero hour.''

The messages appear to have been the final order to proceed with the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. The National Security Agency did well to find them in the blizzard of global communication. Its computer programs correctly ''red flagged'' them for review by a human.

However, they were not translated until September 12. In the event, the NSA found out about the attacks the same way the CIA did - from watching CNN.

''Since its birth on November 4, 1952, the singular objective of the NSA, responsible for worldwide electronic surveillance and code breaking, was to prevent a surprise attack,'' writes the leading journalistic expert on the agency, James Bamford.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/us-spying-upsets-friends-and-creates-more-enemies-20131104-2wx5q.html#ixzz2jicDoV6T

Gerard Henderson's crap is in italics

GUS TRANSLATE IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

There is much to be said for the biblical injunction ''You shall know them by their fruits''. The warning is appropriate to Julian Assange and Edward Snowden, who profess to be trail blazers in advocating the right to know and in opposing government interference in the lives of citizens.

THE RIGHT TO KNOW IS PARAMOUNT IN ANY DEMOCRACY. AT THE MOMENT, ABBOTT IS LIMITING OUR KNOWLEDGE OF HIS COCK UPS BY SUPPRESSING GOVERNMENT NEWS. SOME PEOPLE REFER TO HIS COCK UPS AS THE TRAVAILS OF A "ROOKIE"... ABBOTT IS NOT A ROOKIE, HE IS JUST AN AWKWARD IDIOT PROMOTED BY THE POWER OF THE BLIND MEDIOCRE MASS MEDIA — ESPECIALLY THAT OF UNCLE RUPE.

Yet, right now, the Australian-born Assange remains a guest in the Ecuador embassy in London, from where he provides statements to the media. Assange is a particular favourite of the ABC, with recent appearances on Lateline, The Drum and 7.30. As Human Rights Watch has documented, President Rafael Correa has recently subjected journalists in Ecuador to public denunciation and retaliatory litigation.

CHRISTOPHER PYNE IS ALSO A FAVOURITE OF THE ABC (Q&A, 7:30 REPORT, ETC) AS WELL ON THE ABC WE CAN SEE MANY RIGHT WING MUGS STRUTTING THEIR WARES, INCLUDING AMANDA'S. 

The American-born Snowden remains a guest of Vladimir Putin's government in Russia. Journalists are less safe in Russia than any other European country. Moreover, Putin's administration has a ruthless attitude to opposition.

YES, AND SO HAS RUPERT MURDOCH IS HIS OWN WAY: CONTROL THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TO THE MASSES IN A FAKE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND BOB IS YOUR UNCLE RUPE IN THE DESTRUCTION OF THE OPPOSITION. DIFFERENT MEANS, BUT CRAPPY MEANS NONETHELESS.

Yet Assange and Snowden continue to use the territory of intolerant regimes to lecture the world on freedom. Assange refuses to travel to democratic Sweden to face questions concerning allegations that he sexually assaulted two women.

THAT TAKES THE CAKE OF HYPOCRISY. ASSANGE IS READY TO NEGOTIATE ON NEUTRAL GROUNDS BECAUSE A) HE HAS NOT BEEN CHARGE WITH ANYTHING AND B) THE SWEDISH GOVERNMENT IS WILLING TO SELL HIM TO THE AMERICANS IN A HIGHLY DEMOCRATIC EXTRADITION TREATY. 

Not long ago, Assange and his supporters were anticipating success in this year's Australian election. His WikiLeaks Party ran candidates for the Senate in Victoria (where Assange headed the ticket), NSW and Western Australia. On June 10, Assange said on Lateline the WikiLeaks Party had nationwide support of ''between 25 and 28 per cent''. On June 15, The Australian reported Assange's intention to take his new party to the US, Britain, India and more.

ASSANGE IS NOT A POLITICAL BEAST YET. HE HAS ABOUT 70 PER CENT SUPPORT FOR HIS DISCLOSURES AND REVELATIONS. HE WILL GET THERE ONCE HE KNOWS HOW TO DEFEAT UNCLE RUPE ON THE STAGE.

First, there was Assange's self-delusion about his support base. This was followed by the evident delusion of some of the Assange Fan Club, who realised he was intolerant and stubborn. This led Leslie Cannold to quit the Senate ticket in Victoria.

BEWARE OF THE IDEALISED GREEN HORNS IN ANY ORGANISATION... BEWARE OF AGENTS PROVOCATEURS AND IN THE SMALLER THE GROUP, THE MORE DISSENT CAN FERMENT. SELF-DELUSION IS NECESSARY, EVEN IN THE CASE OF TONY ABBOTT, TO CUT THE CHEESE. LOOK AT PALMER, WHO ALSO SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A DARLING OF THE ABC — FAR MORE THAN ASSANGE, ONE GERARD HAS TO ADMIT.

SELF-DELUSION IS WHAT DRIVES US: IT'S ALSO CALLED HOPE. AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE MORE MONEY THAN OTHERS TO SPEND TO BUY OUR TRUST IN THEIR OWN SELF-DELUSION...