Over at The New Yorker, Ryan Lizza has a fascinating article on the history of the NSA’s latest extra-legal surveillance on Americans. These programs all started under the Bush administration as a reaction to 9-11 and, significantly, over the strenuous objections of senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Since assuming the presidency, Obama has been steadfast in his support of the NSA and its spying on Americans.
The article is lengthy but well worth your time. You’ll learn, among other things, how the FISA court nearly shut down some of the programs because of the NSA’s violation of the court’s restrictions and their deceptions to the court. The hero in this story is Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon who has fought this nonsense for years despite being legally forbidden to discuss the reasons for his concern.
Wyden is currently battling with his friend and fellow senator, Dianne Feinstein over how (or, indeed, whether) to rein in the NSA. Both have offered bills to “fix the problem” but Feinstein’s bill is generally considered ineffective and lets the NSA continue their spying. At this point, neither bill has the requisite 60 supporters to force a vote. In the meantime, Americans and non-Americans will have to get used to life under the microscope. The NSA has been clear in its desire to expand their programs.