I know, I suck. But a serious question:

[DisgustipatedinCA]

203. r.e. the nevermind part: the OP mentioned that as a possibility, then pulled back.

Next, it is a discussion board we're on, so I'm not terribly surprised that the OP is discussing what he thinks r.e. these reforms.

Regarding whether or not we should believe what the President says, he did go on Jay Leno's show awhile back and flatly state that the NSA does not spy on the American public. The NSA does spy on the American public. As such, a healthy dose of skepticism is called for when Obama announces the changes he will put in place. I think the best thing he could do for himself is to get someone with solid progressive credentials to be in an oversight position over the NSA.

Finally, you've said that the OP cares more about having a talking point than about stopping the abuses and the inherent sickness of the domestic surveillance program. It's clear from that statement that you pretty much detest the OP. I choose to believe the much more likely scenario: the OP would rather lose an insignificant battle on a discussion board than to continue to have the NSA spying on Americans who haven't done anything wrong.