On: Democratic establishment unmasked: prime defenders...

[cobrausn]

NSA programs similar to the latest (broad interception of specific types of communications) were defunded and shut down during the height of the cold war. They had more to be afraid of than we do and still weren't willing to give the NSA this much power.

Also, before we go there, yes I am aware they also did a lot of other horrible things, but we're talking about the NSA and their activities as related to the fourth amendment right now.

[rayiner → cobrausn]

Source?

[cobrausn → rayiner]

It was featured here previously on HN. I'll dig for it, and update this comment with an edit when I find it.

EDIT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_SHAMROCK

It does appear as though it was shut down the moment it came under scrutiny before a proper debate could be had about the legality of it.

[mbyrne → rayiner]

I prefer mine Open.