I am getting sick and fucking tired of hearing that anyone opposed to NSA domestic . . . .

[JHB]

159. Those polls asked two different questions

2006: NSA has been investigating people suspected of terrorist involvement by secretly listening in on phone calls & reading emails without court approval...

2013: NSA has been getting secret court orders to track calls of millions of Americans to investigate terrorism...

The 2006 question involved illegal actions under Bush (and that's even after Bush asked for and received lighter restrictions; he still went illegal). That boosted opposition for the flouting of the law, not just partisanship. Putting them side-by-side while treating that important difference as a mere footnote is cheap and dishonest, and tries to reduce this important issue into partisan bickering. Which, in turn IMO, simply emboldens those throwing around accusations of "Paulite" for being upset at the president over this. (Ironic, because IIRC, it was GG who first pushed this juxtaposition of polls.)

This issue is about bureaucratic empire-building and profiteering within the agencies and by their contractors, and about Congress abdicating its responsibilities in favor of grandstanding. Reducing it to a party loyalty question will only help Republicans.

And a K&R for Stinky's OP.