Reports of intel chief leading independent NSA surveillance review denied by White HouseMadison Ruppert This choice was heavily criticized, which is hardly surprising given that Clapper lied under oath. Indeed, he himself admitted that he made clearly erroneous statements before the Senate. However, the Obama administration is now stating that Clapper wont actually be part of the group. The review, part of Obamas attempt to engender more trust in the governments programs, will consist of yet-to-be-revealed members, according to the administration. Director Clapper will not be a part of the group, and is not leading or directing the groups efforts, Caitlin Hayden, a White House spokeswoman, said to The Hill. The White House is selecting the members of the Review Group, consulting appropriately with the Intelligence Community, Hayden said, without specifying how they will be consulting with the intelligence community. Shawn Turner, a spokesman for director of national intelligence, similarly stated that the review group will not be under direction of or led by Clapper. However, in Obamas presidential memorandum issued to Clapper yesterday, he wrote, I am directing you to establish a Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies (Review Group). If this was about restoring the trust of the American people that the government isnt pulling a fast one over on them, President Obama sure has a funny way of trying to rebuild that trust, Mike Masnick of TechDirt wrote yesterday. This seems a lot more like giving the concerns of the American public a giant middle finger. Even after learning that the White House said that Clapper will not be leading the review group, Amie Stepanovich, attorney for the Electronic Privacy Information Center, remained skeptical. Its just inherently not independent, and its not likely to solicit any meaningful results, Stepanovich said to The Hill, pointing to the fact that Clapper will still be playing a central coordinating role. We have a man who has confessed to lying to Congress, and in doing so, he has publicly exhibited his disdain for the oversight process that he is now coordinating, she added. However, Michelle Richardson, a legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union, believes the review group could be successful if it meets certain qualifications. If the group includes academics, privacy advocates and others who are completely independent of the surveillance agencies, the results could still be meaningful, according to Richardson. We really want this to be a fresh set of eyes who are going to look at this top to bottom, Richardson said to The Hill. We dont want it to be the same old folks having the same old conversation about programs theyve already endorsed, she added. TechDirts Masnick remains also remains quite skeptical. He noted that the White Houses quick change of language is not quite a successful way to build rebuild the trust of the American people. Involving Clapper in the first place was a mistake, Masnick wrote today. Actually, having Clapper still on the job after his admitted lying to Congress was a big mistake. Dancing around the fact that hes involved just is making the administration look worse and worse. Id love to hear your opinion, take a look at your story tips and even your original writing if you would like to get it published. I am also available for interviews on radio, television or any other format. Please email me at Admin@EndtheLie.com Please support our work and help us start to pay contributors by doing your shopping through our Amazon link or check out some must-have products at our store. This article first appeared at End the Lie. Madison Ruppert is the Editor and Owner-Operator of the alternative news and analysis databaseEnd The Lie and has no affiliation with any NGO, political party, economic school, or other organization/cause. He is available for podcast and radio interviews. Madison also now has his own radio show on UCYTV Monday nights 7 PM 9 PM PT/10 PM 12 AM ET. Show page link here: http://UCY.TV/EndtheLie. If you have questions, comments, or corrections feel free to contact him at admin@EndtheLie.com linkwithin_text=Related Articles: 