Out of control. That is the only way I can describe the efforts of Bush to get information about ‘terrorists’ by spying on his own citizens. No matter how he tries to defend it, he is just taking everything one step to far. The worst thing is that he really believes he has the authority to step over every boundary there is. His latest venture: letting the NSA try to get their hands on all the phonebills from the major telco’s. USA Today reported last Thursday that the NSA was building a database with the help of three major U.S. telephone companies: only Qwest didn’t like what was happening. According to CNN: “The NSA was using the data to analyze calling patterns to detect and track suspected terrorist activity, according to information the White House provided to Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colorado.”
As usual Bush defended the intelligence activities he has authorized, saying they are focused on al Qaeda terrorists and their affiliates. He reiterated that they are lawful and that appropriate members of Congress, both Republican and Democrat, have been briefed on the surveillance activities. Nevertheless: experts agree it is highly unlawful. When does Bush start to understand that no one can place himself above the law?
Bush/NSA illegally getting phone records