NSA Critic Ron Wyden Commends 'Milestone' In Surveillance Reform

[DonViejo]

CATHERINE THOMPSON – JANUARY 17, 2014, 1:11 PM EST

Vocal National Security Agency critic Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR offered full-throated praise for the changes to NSA surveillance programs announced by President Barack Obama on Friday.

In a joint statement with fellow Senate Intelligence Committee members and privacy advocates Mark Udall (D-CO) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Wyden commended the President for proposing changes to the NSA's phone records collection program in particular. He and Udall had proposed a bill last year to curtail the agency's authority to collect that data.

“After the long push to rein in overbroad surveillance powers, we are very pleased that the President announced his intent to end the bulk collection of Americans’ phone records," the senators said. "Ending this dragnet collection will go a long way toward restoring Americans’ constitutional rights and rebuilding the public’s trust. Make no mistake, this is a major milestone in our longstanding efforts to reform the National Security Agency’s bulk collection program."

The senators added that they would push for additional reforms they believe are necessary, including reforming the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance court process and ensuring the government doesn't read emails or other communications without a warrant.

more
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/wyden_commends_obama_nsa_changes

[Drunken Irishman]

1. But Greenwald and Obama is Hitler!

[Autumn]

2. Wyden is correct. This is a milestone, an important one. Now lets go on

and get this damn program dead and fucking buried. And put a damn stake in it's heart.

[OnyxCollie]

3. "the President announced *his intent* to end the bulk collection of Americans’ phone records"

Obama intended to close down Guantanamo, too.

[DCBob]

4. But NSA/Obama critic Greenwald said it was all a publicity stunt.

Seems the critics don't have their messaging in sync.