4 comments

  • CodingJeebus 7 minutes ago
    > During his 18 years in the Senate, Tester was an outspoken critic of the PATRIOT Act that passed shortly after the 9/11 attacks that expanded the Justice Department's surveillance powers. When asked whether his concerns over government surveillance remain and whether he has the same concerns with his new employer, Tester said Palantir is different and that the company doesn't build "big databases" or trade in private data.

    That is literally what Palantir does.

    > "I wanted to do away with the Patriot Act because it was about privacy," Tester said. "It was about making sure that I am not being watched by anybody, including Big Brother. And by the way, I've talked to many people within Palantir. They believe the same way I do. This is an organization that believes in privacy."

    Congress is full of these people. Forget party affiliation, this is as broad as it is systemic. Talk a big game in office, develop your network and have a cushy job waiting for you once you leave where you make millions calling your friends who are still in office. All while saying that it's not lobbying with a straight face.

  • npc99 13 minutes ago
    Really disappointed in Tester about this
    • arandomhuman 7 minutes ago
      “They (palantir) have a story to tell”, what a shameless sleezeball.
  • jdb9001 1 minute ago
    "oh boy! i sure hope this democratic congress will be less hawkish and pro surveillance than the republican one!"

    this democrat congress:

  • tencentshill 9 minutes ago
    I mean... they've been around for 20+ years, they know exactly how to play this game.