Guardian takes latest NSA audit story a step further rubbing the egg on Clapper's face onto his tie

[kpete]

NSA under renewed fire after report finds it violated its own privacy rules
Revelations that NSA collected records it was not permitted to acquire pile further pressure on intelligence chief James Clapper

The NSA serially violated its own restrictions on bulk surveillance, according to a report that puts further pressure on beleaguered intelligence chief James Clapper and strengthens claims by a leading Senate critic that a "culture of misinformation" exists at the agency.

The Washington Post reported, with information provided by whistleblower Edward Snowden, that internal NSA audits found thousands of instances where the powerful surveillance agency collected, stored and possibly searched through vast swaths of information it is not permitted to acquire.

The revelations contradict repeated assurances this summer from senior Obama administration and intelligence officials that the NSA's programs to collect Americans' phone records and foreigners' communications in bulk contain adequate privacy protections.

Such inappropriate or unlawful retention ranged from what an administration official told the Post was human error, to seeming technological flaws, to collection efforts that inherently involved transgressing the few boundaries that have existed on NSA bulk collection since 2008, when Congress broadened a basic law of surveillance, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

The rest:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/16/nsa-violated-privacy-rules-audit

The NSA also instructs its officials to leave out collection of Americans' data in its reports.

A training slide published by the Post says that so-called "incidental" collection – in which Americans' communications data is swooped up by the NSA's activities surveilling foreigners – "does not constitute a … violation, so it does not have to be reported in the IG [inspector general] quarterly."
http://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/page/national/whats-a-violation/391/

[Rex]

1. RUH ROH!

Excuse incoming in 3...2...1...

[last1standing]

2. The walls are starting to crumble.

It's too late for Obama to get out in front of this story but he could minimize the damage by changing course at this point - if he does it soon. He's already on record as stating that there's no real problem so he either needs to apologize and work toward implementing new safeguards and policies or watch as his legacy is quickly undermined.

It really is his decision. He can't change everything with a wave of a wand but he can advocate for better policies and use his power as president to make some changes for the better now. One immediate change he can make is in removing Clapper from office - now. After that he can call a policy summit that includes more than a closed network of spooks and MIC executives.

Will he change course or go down with the ship?

[RC]

3. Haven't you heard? Obama is powerless to do anything.

Congress has to do something. Just ask anyone from the BoF. They'll tell you.

[LittleBlue]

4. He's powerless until any bill is passed

Then it goes on the list of his "accomplishments"

[last1standing]

6. There's definitely a contingent who say that.

Of course they're the same people who yell from the rooftops in praise of any good news regardless of how little he actually had to do with it.

On the other hand, I agree he's not omnipotent. He can't change all the laws with a sweep of his hand. Yet he can make some changes immediately but has instead doubled down on protecting the status quo over the people.

Will he change course, apologize and work toward creating safeguards or will he continue to lie to the American people?

[kentuck]

5. Obama should ask for Clapper's resignation.

The stench is getting just a little too strong.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. First step would be to fire both Alexander and Clapper

Call me a cynic, I don't expect it