United Stasi of America (“USA” backronym)
The East German Ministry for State Security (Stasi) was one of the world’s most effective intelligence and police agencies; it spied on its own citizens as well as foreign enemies of the state. People who believe that the United States of America (USA) spies on its own citizens have given the USA the backronym (back acronym) of “United Stasi of America.”
“United Stasi of Amerika” was cited in print in September 2006 and “United Stasi Of America” in September 2009. The nickname became popular after 2013 news stories in The Guardian (UK) revealed that the National Security Agency had been spying on Americans, in seeming violation of the fourth amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Daniel Ellsberg, the Pentagon Papers whistleblower, wrote “Edward Snowden: saving us from the United Stasi of America” for The Guardian on June 10, 2013.
Another “USA” backronym is “Under Surveillance Always.” A similar USA nickname is “United Socialist States of America” (USSA).
Wikipedia: Stasi
The Ministry for State Security (German: Ministerium für Staatssicherheit, MfS), commonly known as the Stasi (IPA: [ˈʃtɑːziː]) (abbreviation German: Staatssicherheit, literally State Security), was the official state security service of the German Democratic Republic or GDR, colloquially known as East Germany. It has been described as one of the most effective and repressive intelligence and secret police agencies in the world. The Stasi was headquartered in East Berlin, with an extensive complex in Berlin-Lichtenberg and several smaller facilities throughout the city. The Stasi motto was “Schild und Schwert der Partei” (Shield and Sword of the Party), that is the ruling Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). Several Stasi officials were prosecuted for their crimes after 1990.
Jazz and Poultry
Saturday, September 23, 2006
United Stasi of Amerika
Growing up in the 1970s I was taught that in countries such as the U.S.S.R. and East Germany, free speech was curtailed. Their citizens were spied upon, their telephone calls were monitored, and elections were rigged. If you were arrested and charged with a crime against the State the chances were that you were tortured and that your loved ones were not privy to your whereabouts.
The American Prospect
United Stasi Of America.
Adam Serwer
September 22, 2009
I haven’t commented on the arrest of three men in Queens in connection with an alleged terrorist plot to attack the nation’s transit systems because it’s not clear to me what’s going on.
The Black Kettle
The United Stasi of America
September 7, 2012 - Posted by Tim
FBI begins installation of $1 billion face recognition system across America
The Guardian (UK)
Edward Snowden: saving us from the United Stasi of America
Snowden’s whistleblowing gives us a chance to roll back what is tantamount to an ‘executive coup’ against the US constitution
Daniel Ellsberg
Monday 10 June 2013 06.30 EDT
In my estimation, there has not been in American history a more important leak than Edward Snowden’s release of NSA material – and that definitely includes the Pentagon Papers 40 years ago. Snowden’s whistleblowing gives us the possibility to roll back a key part of what has amounted to an “executive coup” against the US constitution.