If this happened under George Bush, you would be outraged. Be outraged by Barack Obama too!

[stevenleser]

65. You're really desperate to push that meme, aren't you? Problem is, no one fits that description.

What is really surprising about this kerfuffle is, this is a problem that has existed since October of 2001 with the Patriot Act.

There have been various flareups in the 12 years since then when people suddenly remember this has been going on. This is not new.

Many of us have been complaining about it all along. I wrote this in 2006 http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022958940 where I clearly say that warrantless wiretapping is evil and that at the very least we should turn away from that practice and force FISA warrants.

I also clearly say that I am not a fan of FISA either. I'm sure everyone defending the administration on this issue would say the same. They are not fans of FISA or of what is happening.

However, it is disingenuous not to acknowledge that what is happening now is incrementally better than warrant-less wiretapping where there is absolutely no paper trail and zero ability to hold anyone accountable after the fact. It does not indicate "Love of authoritarianism" to acknowledge these facts. You behave as if it somehow lessens the arguments to push past what is happening now if you acknowledge the incremental improvement.

Instead of appeals to emotion, ad hominem attacks, straw men and various other fallacious and disingenuous arguments, you might want to start with facts and acknowledgement of them.