Justice Department documents released today by the ACLU reveal that federal law enforcement agencies are increasingly monitoring Americans’ electronic communications, and doing so without warrants, sufficient oversight, or meaningful accountability.
...The reports show a dramatic increase in the use of ... surveillance tools, which are used to gather information about telephone, email, and other Internet communications. The revelations underscore the importance of regulating and overseeing the government’s surveillance power.
...During that same time period, the number of people whose telephones were the subject of pen register and trap and trace surveillance more than tripled. In fact, more people were subjected to pen register and trap and trace surveillance in the past two years than in the entire previous decade...
...During the past two years, there has also been an increase in the number of pen register and trap and trace orders targeting email and network communications data. While this type of Internet surveillance tool remains relatively rare, its use is increasing exponentially... Earlier this year, the New York Times reported that cellphone carriers received 1.3 million demands for subscriber information in 2011 alone...
But, but, but... Bush! Cheney! Halliburton!
Let me guess: Fox News personalities, conservative talk show hosts, bloggers and others who oppose this administration's politics are among those who have been targeted.
I'm so nostalgic. I remember when dissent was patriotic.
This administration needs to go.
