Phone surveillance by the NSA
Re “Tapping into AT&T;,” editorial, Feb. 5
The Times thinks that AT&T; should thwart all telephone surveillance by the National Security Agency in the future and that there is no excuse or need for warrantless domestic surveillance. Additionally, The Times believes this anti-terrorism tool is illegal and should be discontinued, despite its success in preventing any post-9/11 terrorism on U.S. soil so far. I think The Times’ editorial board has memory loss and would be one of the first to howl about President Bush being inept if and when the U.S. were hit with a major terrorist act. I can only conclude The Times wants to restrict those who want to prevent terrorism, by protecting those who want to do America and Americans harm.
RON D. O’NEAL
Sherman Oaks
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So what other companies have turned over our private records to the government? Let’s name them all and vote with our pocketbooks. For starters, as of today, I will no longer be an AT&T; customer. We have more phone and wireless company choices than we ever did, so if some sell my privacy, they won’t get my dime, ever. If a phone company will do this now under the guise of national security, be certain it will do it again should the next administration deem it necessary.
Since we’ve lost all control over a government that shows no respect to its people, we at the very least can control the vendors we choose to support as consumers.
CAROL SOUDAH
Glendale
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I hope The Times will not start calling domestic spying “terrorist surveillance.” This administration has got to be reined in. We need newspapers to lead in the outcry against spying on Americans. It is not unpatriotic to call for a complete investigation to find out what the administration has been up to. It is up to this newspaper and other journals to lead in the call for transparency in government. Americans want to know.
CAROLYN KAY LOPEZ
North Tustin
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After all the lies Bush and his lackeys told to persuade Americans to drop bombs on the Iraqi people, invade their country, take over their oil and continue to occupy their land, how could any American ever believe the lies and subterfuges of the administration on the illegal NSA spying? They are not just spying on Al Qaeda operatives, they’re spying on Americans talking to Americans. That is why Bush knew that even the FISA court would not sign warrants for spying on Americans, despite the court’s shameful history of signing just about every warrant presented it.
All we hear from Bush and members of his administration is that there is a war. There is a war because of Bush’s policies. Until the U.S. admits it is the problem, Americans and those whom the U.S. attacks will continue to suffer and die.
PATRICIA J. BARRY
Los Angeles
