yes, this just opens the door for the government to commit espionage on private citizens as they please.
and yes, the complacency of mna y americans is disturbing
Radio host Howie Carr echoed the sentiments of many Americans when he said, "This is a big story in the lame-stream media, but this is not a story that generates with the American public. … The average person looks at the headline and says, 'I'm glad they're doing this.'"
On Capitol Hill, though, news that the NSA has been gathering massive records on phone calls met criticism from shocked members of both political parties.
Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., says he'll call the heads of the major phone companies to testify before Congress.
Is it okay for the government to track phone calls made by you and millions of other Americans?
Yes, if the government says it is necessary to fight terrorism.
No, it is not acceptable no matter what the government says .
www.crooksandliars.com...
"Somehow, The Washington Post -- on the very same day most people learned about the new NSA data-collection program -- managed to conduct a poll which purports to show that "63 percent of Americans said they found the NSA program to be an acceptable way to investigate terrorism." The reaction is painfully predictable. Bush followers are celebrating with glee, as though the issue is resolved in their favor and they won, while some Democrats are quivering with caution, urging that this issue be kept at arm's length lest they take a position that isn't instantaneously and overwhelmingly popular...read on
www.firedoglake.com...
The headline blazing across the Washington Post this morning reads: "Poll: Most Americans Support NSA’s Efforts."It was written by Richard Morin.
(Snip)
So before the phone records story even breaks, Morin — who knows absolutely what he is doing — starts polling people who have no idea what he’s talking about and giving it his best shot, tying it to the War on Terra. It works. Today it’s plastered across the front page of the washingtonpost.com
(Snip)
As eRiposte has noted, in a CBS/NYT poll earlier this year this was one of the questions posed.
In order to reduce the threat of terrorism, would you be willing or not willing to allow government agencies to monitor the telephone calls and e-mails of ordinary Americans on a regular basis?
At that time 70% responded "no." A rather strong indication that a lot has to do with how these particular questions are worded.