If you are American, and you read only one news article this week, take the time to read this exclusive report by USA Today on the NSA's spying program on all Americans.
The National Security Agency has been secretly collecting the phone call records of tens of millions of Americans, using data provided by AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth, people with direct knowledge of the arrangement told USA TODAY.The NSA program reaches into homes and businesses across the nation by amassing information about the calls of ordinary Americans — most of whom aren't suspected of any crime. This program does not involve the NSA listening to or recording conversations. But the spy agency is using the data to analyze calling patterns in an effort to detect terrorist activity, sources said in separate interviews.
If you are not thoroughly disgusted with the state of affairs in America, with this administration, and it's torrent of bald-faced lies since day 1, then I don't know what news you read.
USATODAY.com - NSA has massive database of Americans' phone calls
It's like the prominent blogger said, "If you need to call people in the states, do like the terrorists and use skype."
Sorry for the consecutive comments but thought this video might cheer you up:
http://avc.blogs.com/a_vc/2006/05/youtube_video_o_3.html
I've read a lot of the more contentious announcements, and I haven't seen serious evidence of:
a) lying; or,
b) spying on Americans.
I've seen a lot of shouting about both issues, and I've seen PLENTY of errors, poor PR and some questionable assertions. But in terms of honesty, this Administration seems to be little different than any others. If anything, it seems to conceal truths that would help its position, which is weird, but there you have it - errors and poor PR.
If you're worried about the NSA maintaining a database of phone numbers (with no content in them), you should be terrified that they might call up Experian and get your credit report. And examining the article a little bit more closely, you'll learn two more key facts:
1) That data comes of LECs (AT&T, et. al.), it's not home-grown NSA spying - it's NSA analysis of LEC 'spying' or, as its typically called in business, marketing; and,
2) This program was made public by the NY Times several months ago.
That being said, I'm as mistrustful of the Government (more beaurocracies (sp!) and legislators than elected executives, btw, due to permanence and corruption) as anyone, and more so than you are, I would bet. Show me some evidence, don't just add a voice to the "I hate Bush" echo chamber.
cdg
It's not just the Bush administration that has been spying on its people:
http://americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=5150
The lesson of the story is: In this hyper-technological era, no one should be complacent. Only Bush's incompetence has brought to light something that's been going on for a long time.
BORING.
Sorry but I wont believe the hype on this one. Old news, not just this administration but all of em for the last two centuries have monitored domestic communications. As a child of the cold war who grew up in a mafia neighborhood, my assumption is they are always listening.
Anyways doesnt anyone remember Clinton & Gore's Clipper chip?
Gen, I share your disgust.
I agree with the comments that this behavior is not specific to the Bush administration. The Bushies are so arrogant and self-righteous they just don't feel the need to cover their asses like other admins in the past. (Although, there *is* a particularly destructive aspect to the Bush admin.) The real problem lies with the bureaucracy as a whole. Lying, manipulating, cheating, stealing, whoring... all status quo these days. I don't know if it's hubris, apathy or what, but I wonder why Americans aren't more concerned. It's like we've thrown in the towel.