Maryland Politics: More domestic spying issues at NSA - Your source of news and gossip from the Mason-Dixon Line to the Potomac

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April 16, 2009

More domestic spying issues at NSA

The New York Times has an important story in today's editions about the domestic spying program at the NSA, reporting that the super-secret Maryland-based agency "intercepted private email messages and phone calls of Americans in recent months on a scale that went beyond the broad legal limits" set by Congress last year.

The Times is reporting that the agency told Congress that it had trouble complying with the law, leading to "overcollection" of information.

On a related note, the Times also discloses that the NSA "tried to wiretap a member of Congress without a warrant," after obtaining information that the unidentified representative "was in contact" with an extremist with terrorist ties as part of a Congressional delegation to the Middle East in 2005 and 2006.

The developments provide a major national security test for the Obama administration, and will raise questions about an agency that prefers to operate with as little public attention as possible.

Posted by David Nitkin at 8:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Comments

That Congressman was probably Alcee Hastings. He is a disgraced impeached judge. The impeachment hearing was demanded by Rep. John Conyers.

With the DHS Napolitano report on "rightwing extremists" there will be many more "single issue" people watched and spied on. Those who oppose abortion and illegal immigration. Also those who support states rights or vote for third party candidates.
The paranoia of this administration will continue this and double speak that they are not.
Just like ending the war in Iraq and closing GITMO.. (in a year)

Posted by: Fed Up | April 16, 2009 12:49 PM

Some free country we are, if anyone believes tTHAT BULL____ they have their head stuck way down in the sand!!! And don't even try to get me started on FREE SPEECH!!

Posted by: Mike B. | April 18, 2009 7:28 AM

Where is the public outrage? The front page story? The breaking news on CNN?

Oh wait, there's a Democrat in the White House, the Democrats control the Senate, the Democrats control the House.....

hmmm......If there was so much outrage over the Bush Administration doing these things, why not the outrage that it has happened under Obama's watch?

Change.....

Posted by: Paul | April 18, 2009 11:02 PM

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About the bloggers

Annie Linskey covers the statehouse for The Baltimore Sun. Previously, as a City Hall reporter, she covered the corruption trial of Mayor Sheila Dixon and kept a close eye on city spending. Her reporting on the city’s economic development arm led to the termination of multiple improperly bid seven-figure public works contracts and her coverage of the death of a fire department cadet resulted in overhaul of that agency’s top brass. Before that, as a crime reporter, she interviewed Bloods gang members and the police detectives who pursue them.
Originally from Connecticut, Annie has lived and reported on war crimes tribunals and landmines from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She lives in Baltimore.

Paul West covers Washington for The Baltimore Sun, continuing a tradition that began the month the paper was born, in 1837. He hasn't been in the DC bureau that long--only since Ronald Reagan was president. He's covered Congress, the White House and presidential campaigns as the paper's national political correspondent and Washington bureau chief. He's on the lookout for news of significance to Sun readers at the other end of the B/W Parkway. That includes the activities of the state's congressional delegation and anything else that might shed some light on the inner workings of the nation's capital.

Julie Bykowicz's first days as a political reporter, in January 2009, coincided with Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon's indictment and the start of the Maryland General Assembly's 426th legislative session. She focuses on coverage of state agencies, such as social services, juvenile justice and prisons. During the session, she wrote about the death penalty, slots parlors and speed cameras, among other hot topics. Julie began political reporting after more than seven years on The Baltimore Sun's crime desk. She lives in Baltimore and works primarily in Annapolis.

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