N.S.A.’s intercepts exceed limits set by Congress

[IDemo]

Officials: Agency involved in ‘overcollection’ of communication by Americans

By Eric Lichtblau and James Risen
updated 12:24 a.m. MT, Thurs., April 16, 2009

WASHINGTON - The National Security Agency intercepted private e-mail messages and phone calls of Americans in recent months on a scale that went beyond the broad legal limits established by Congress last year, government officials said in recent interviews.

Several intelligence officials, as well as lawyers briefed about the matter, said the N.S.A. had been engaged in “overcollection” of domestic communications of Americans. They described the practice as significant and systemic, although one official said it was believed to have been unintentional.

The legal and operational problems surrounding the N.S.A.’s surveillance activities have come under scrutiny from the Obama administration, Congressional intelligence committees and a secret national security court, said the intelligence officials, who spoke only on the condition of anonymity because N.S.A. activities are classified. Classified government briefings have been held in recent weeks in response to a brewing controversy that some officials worry could damage the credibility of legitimate intelligence-gathering efforts.

The Justice Department, in response to inquiries from The New York Times, acknowledged Wednesday night that there had been problems with the N.S.A. surveillance operation, but said they had been resolved.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30238492/

--I am shocked, SHOCKED! Certainly no one could foresee the National Security Agency stretching the limits placed upon their activities by Congress. Nope.

[Solly Mack]

1. whodathunkit?

[HillbillyBob]

2. Geez wouldn't it be nice to have at least one

federal agency that could be trusted?
Perhaps it is time to dismantle all of these agencies and investigate them from the lowliest clerk all the way up to their supposed 'responsible' adult in charge.

[paparush]

3. Who wanted this info? Where was it being funneled?

If the Congressional license was already "broad" in its scope, who was demanding more?

[ThomWV]

4. Here we have an issued potentially far more destructive to the nation than the economy

and it gets little to no attention.

The state will crumble from within, and this is national cancer at its worst.