I Shook Glenn Greenwald's Hand Tonight

[gateley]

18. I'm reading a fascinating book, "The Watchers" by Shane Harris about

"The rise of America's Surveillance State".

I saw the author on w/Rachel a while back, got the book, and just got around to reading it. I can't put it down.

In the photo section the last pic is of Obama and GWB. Caption: "As a senator, Barack Obama initially was opposed to expanding surveillance law and granting legal immunity to companies that helped the government spy without warrants. But as his nomination for president appeard certain, Obama changed his mind, saying he'd been told the NSA's surveillance program was actually useful. He voted for a new law that granted many of the same broad powers that Bush had authorized in secret."

What I found interesting is that all during the development and stages of the programs to eavesdrop on Al Q, et al, the government agencies and military drew the line at anything that might compromise personal rights. Even though some had tried to insert protection for innocent names that would invariably appear in the chatter, there was steadfast opposition.

Enter John Yoo, a hack yes man who, as we know, twisted and interpreted the law to give Bush, the ultimate authority, carte blanche.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's very object and presents just the facts, ma'am. Where I'd relish some dissing of many of the players, the author doesn't engage in that at all. Informative and educational at the extent of our surveillance system, the attitudes and problems in the alphabet agencies, and the enormity of the task.

Anyway, I was just reminded of the book and that mention of Obama reading Greenwald's statement.

http://www.amazon.com/Watchers-Rise-Americas-Surveillance-State/dp/B005DI8WZY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329091496&sr=1-1