Mastodon

The Right Call on Phone Records

Following recent news (first reported in USA Today) that the National Security Agency (NSA) is collecting some phone records, only Richard A. Falkenrath seems to be talking any sense. His article, which appeared in this morning’s edition of the Post, is a clear explanation of the program, why it’s necessary, and why it is almost certainly legal—despite a lot of congressional blather to the contrary.

How is it legal? Well, the data collected in the program is volunteered by three phone companies and stripped of user-identifiable information per current telecom laws. The NSA did not compel the companies to provide anything (in fact, Qwest chose not to participate) and the entire program fits within the context of preexisting law.

With the domestic wiretapping issue earlier, I at least get the controversy (as that plan would likely be illegal in peacetime). This new controversy makes no sense at all.

Scott Bradford has been putting his opinions on his website since 1995—before most people knew what a website was. He has been a professional web developer in the public- and private-sector for over twenty years. He is an independent constitutional conservative who believes in human rights and limited government, and a Catholic Christian whose beliefs are summarized in the Nicene Creed. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from George Mason University. He loves Pink Floyd and can play the bass guitar . . . sort-of. He’s a husband, pet lover, amateur radio operator, and classic AMC/Jeep enthusiast.