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In a letter (PDF) recently sent to Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Mark Udall (D-CO), the National Security Agency’s (NSA) Inspector General explains that he cannot provide an estimate of how many Americans the agency has spied on, because doing so would “would itself violate the privacy of U.S. persons.”
That letter was first obtained by reporter Spencer Ackerman at Wired. It claims that even attempting to produce an estimate of how many Americans the agency has spied on is “beyond the [Inspector General's] capacity,” and that “dedicating sufficient additional resources would likely impede the NSA’s mission.”
...
All that Senator Udall and I are asking for is a ballpark estimate of how many Americans have been monitored under this law, and it is disappointing that the Inspectors General cannot provide it,” Wyden told Ackerman. “If no one will even estimate how many Americans have had their communications collected under this law then it is all the more important that Congress act to close the ‘back door searches’ loophole, to keep the government from searching for Americans’ phone calls and emails without a warrant.”
Originally posted by butcherguy
If it wasn't so sad that would be funny.
It would be nice to rid ourselves of some of the shackles that we've let the govt bind us with.
Originally posted by FreeFromTheHerd
Lol, this country is such a joke it's not even worth getting upset about anymore.
It's hilarious to see morons still talking about how "free" we are.
McCullough argued, giving such a figure of how many Americans were spied on was “beyond the capacity” of the NSA’s in-house watchdog — and to rectify it would require “imped[ing]” the very spy missions that concern Wyden and Udall. “I defer to [the NSA inspector general's] conclusion that obtaining such an estimate was beyond the capacity of his office and dedicating sufficient additional resources would likely impede the NSA’s mission,” McCullough wrote.
So the NSA's answer is....
Originally posted by KillerQueen
This is some epic, fantastical Newspeak.
I don't know what pisses me off more the reply or the fact that the American public will accept this reply.
From the Wired link:
McCullough argued, giving such a figure of how many Americans were spied on was “beyond the capacity” of the NSA’s in-house watchdog — and to rectify it would require “imped[ing]” the very spy missions that concern Wyden and Udall. “I defer to [the NSA inspector general's] conclusion that obtaining such an estimate was beyond the capacity of his office and dedicating sufficient additional resources would likely impede the NSA’s mission,” McCullough wrote.
So, WTH!? DOes that mean there are too many citizens being spied on to count? I think so. Russell Tice said as much in 2006.
abcnews.go.com...
Originally posted by crankyoldman
I do find it hard to believe the agency doesn't have a basic software program to create a number
Originally posted by roadgravel
Wow, what a weak argument. Of course they will be allow to not give out a number. Those commenting 100% are probably in the ballpark.