General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: C'mon people. Use your noggin. Obama knew, and approved of it. [View all]LuvNewcastle
(16,843 posts)I think it's possible Obama didn't know the specifics, but he's a smart man. If he's receiving updates about inside information from Merkel, then I'm sure he figured it out. The NSA probably picks and chooses which things to tell the Pres. in order to give him plausible deniability just in case the information becomes known. So I think it's very possible that Obama knew, but he didn't know.
I also think it's quite likely that Alexander has way too much power. You could probably compare him to J. Edgar Hoover. He's been in control of the NSA for so long now that it might be impossible to dislodge him, even if they took away his official title. Spooks never really retire, so I've been told. God knows what it happening in our internal affairs. I think our government needs to be aired out in the worst way.