Could this NSA leak today be an inside shot at Hayden's nomination?

[Zen Democrat]

I don't know if this theory has been posted today because I've been off-line for several hours, but it's curious to me that the NSA spying story came out in December, but the administration called it a "Terrorist Surveillance Program" and claimed that only Americans speaking to Al Qaeda suspects would be wiretapped.

Now we have Goss suddenly resigning and Hayden named to be his replacement. On top of that, someone leaks to USA Today that millions of Americans are having their phone calls mined by NSA.

Looks like we still have some incredibly brave patriots embedded in our national security apparatus. I think the Hayden selection went too far for somebody and this story was leaked to STOP HIS ASS.

[C_U_L8R]

1. It's Goss's way

of slamming the door behind himself on the way out.

Maybe he'll have more tasty gifts for us in the days ahead.

[Frustratedlady]

3. You don't suppose it could be "the diversion"....

...one of Rove's trademarks to keep our attention anywhere but on what they are up to...like Iran? How many times have we missed something big coming down by concentrating on one of their tricks?

[mike_c]

2. I would think that USA Today would take some time to thoroughly...

...source this story-- I mean, I doubt that anyone has sufficients creds to call up the editors and get THIS story on the front page in short order, on their say so. The EFF filed a lawsuit against AT&T a month or so ago alleging exactly this program based on information obtained from AT&T employees, so this doesn't sound like some gov't whistleblower's revenge. I think USA Today was just the first paper to realize how big the story actually is.

[pacalo]

4. It's been one scandal revealed after another...

So I do agree with you on this point: "Looks like we still have some incredibly brave patriots embedded in our national security apparatus."

Imo, these revelations aren't just falling out of the sky & they're certainly not the result of good investigative journalism. They're well executed & well timed, forcing the media to acknowledge them. And they're not all about the CIA but a variety of corruption.

I couldn't agree with you more about the "incredibly brave, embedded patriots" in the CIA or NSA who are exposing this network of crooks.