Topic: Richard Clarke

NYPD Deputy Commissioner John Miller warns that encrypted apps like Wicker and Telegram are allowing terrorists to "go dark." The hosts discover that former counterterrorism official Richard Clarke is an early investor in Wicker. They speculate that the app may be a "honeypot" operation, noting the involvement of various venture capital firms and the potential for intelligence agency backing.

The hosts question the validity of ISIS claiming responsibility for the attacks, noting that much of this information is funneled through Rita Katz and the Site Intelligence Group. They point out that the official communique lacked the specific names of the attackers, which is a departure from typical ISIS propaganda. The involvement of figures like Richard Clark in related intelligence operations is also highlighted as a red flag.

Secretary Ash Carter ranks cybersecurity as a top priority, noting that all modern U.S. weapon systems depend on secure networks. Mike Morell and Richard Clark are cited as "cyber nutballs" who frequently appear in the media to warn about the vulnerability of unclassified email systems, including those used by Hillary Clinton and President Obama. The segment suggests the "cyber war" narrative is being used to justify massive government spending and increased surveillance.

The Feinstein-Chambliss cyber sharing bill is discussed, with Richard Clark providing "fear, uncertainty, and doubt" regarding the vulnerability of the U.S. electric grid. The bill would indemnify corporations for sharing user data with the government in the name of cybersecurity.

Richard Clark and Congressman Jim Langevin argue for the passage of information-sharing legislation to close the "aperture of vulnerability" against non-state actors like ISIS. The hosts remain skeptical, viewing the bipartisan push as a way for the government to strong-arm the private sector into providing data.

Former counterterrorism official Richard Clarke appears on Democracy Now! to discuss his novel, "The Sting of the Drone." He describes technology where drones or missiles could be designed to disintegrate upon impact, leaving no forensic evidence and making an attack look like a gas explosion. The hosts link this to "fractal bullets" used by air marshals and the suspicious death of journalist Michael Hastings.

John Miller describes modern terrorism as "theater" that requires a "money shot" of blood and bodies to be effective on television. He dismisses concerns about cyber attacks on the power grid, claiming terrorists are only interested in high-yield, low-tech violence like the Mumbai attacks. The hosts briefly pivot to the news of Casey Kasem going missing before concluding the analysis of Miller's "douche knuckle" rhetoric.

Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and former counterterrorism official Richard Clark are accused of using their consultancies to sell "vaporware" security services to CEOs. During a conference on high stakes in cybersecurity, they compared the potential impact of a cyber attack to the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. This narrative is characterized as a marketing racket designed to create fear and profit from government-linked security contracts.

Richard Clark revealed that Section 215 is only a small part of U.S. surveillance, with the majority of data collected under Executive Order 12333. This Reagan-era order allows intelligence agencies to collect information on U.S. persons if it is "publicly available" or provided with "consent." This includes data from Facebook, Google, and Twitter, where users implicitly consent to data sharing through terms of service.

Congressman Mike Rogers defended the NSA's Section 215 program on ABC's This Week, claiming a recent advisory report found no evidence of scandal or illegal surveillance. The hosts dispute Rogers' characterization of the report, noting that the panel consisted of insiders like Richard Clark and Mike Morell. They argue the report actually recommends shifting data storage to private third parties rather than ending collection.

President Obama's handpicked review group released a 308-page report with 46 recommendations for reforming the NSA. The panel includes controversial figures such as Richard Clarke, Cass Sunstein, and former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell, leading to skepticism regarding the group's true independence from the intelligence community.

The President's Review Group suggests using artificial intelligence software to sort information packets on networks in real-time. This would move the sorting process from NSA storage facilities directly onto the internet backbone, a concept critics believe is a setup for lucrative government contracts for insiders like Richard Clarke.

Cass Sunstein has been appointed to the panel overseeing the NSA, despite his controversial history of advocating for the infiltration of conspiracy groups. The panel also includes former CIA official Michael Morell and Richard Clark. Critics argue the panel lacks civilian representation and is composed of establishment insiders.

Journalist Kimberly Dvorak appeared on RT to discuss theories surrounding the death of Michael Hastings, claiming his body was cremated without family consent. Former counterterrorism official Richard Clarke suggested the crash was consistent with a "car cyber attack." The hosts analyze these reports as "messaging," noting that while remote control of modern vehicles is technically possible, the current media narrative seems designed to instill fear about the reach of intelligence agencies.

The analysis covers the unprecedented lockdown of Boston and the resulting financial damage, estimated by Richard Clark at $350 million. The hosts contrast the massive federal response to the two bombing suspects with the ongoing violence attributed to Mexican gangs and the "M5 group" in California and Richmond. They suggest the media was disappointed that the suspects did not fit a specific domestic political profile.

Former counter-terrorism official Richard Clarke addressed a governors' conference regarding cyber security. He warned of significant threats to the power grid and pipelines from state actors like China or groups like Hezbollah. Clarke claimed that hackers are currently "writing themselves checks" from state networks, which the hosts dismiss as fear-mongering reminiscent of the Y2K playbook.

Mainstream media reports claim Al Qaeda is developing non-metallic "body bombs" surgically implanted in terrorists. Declassified letters from the Abbottabad compound suggest Bin Laden ordered the assassination of President Obama but specifically spared Vice President Joe Biden, believing Biden's perceived incompetence would lead the U.S. into crisis. Former counterterrorism official Richard Clarke compares Bin Laden's final days to Hitler in his bunker.

U.S. officials claim a new Al-Qaeda plot was initiated by leader Ayman al-Zawahiri to avenge Osama bin Laden. The plot allegedly involves three individuals, including one U.S. citizen, who traveled from Pakistan to the United States in August to plan a vehicle bomb attack timed for the September 11th anniversary.

ABC News and Richard Clark report on potential "insider threats" to US nuclear and chemical plants. The warnings suggest that Al-Qaeda is recruiting "disgruntled employees" through its online magazine, Inspire. The hosts mock the timing of these warnings, which coincide with the ten-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

The Obama administration's plan to withdraw 5,000 troops from Afghanistan is characterized as a political move rather than a true exit strategy. Former CIA official Richard Clarke and commentator Judith Miller have both appeared in media to discuss the long-term necessity of a US presence in the region. Critics argue the narrative is shifting to keep troops stationed there indefinitely despite the death of Bin Laden.