[rhino369]

The NSA is nonpartisan and is subject to overview by both parties.

Google on the other hand? They spend millions upon millions of dollars trying to influence policy in Washington.

Who do you think is actually more likely to use blackmail here?

[djrogers]

>The NSA is nonpartisan and is subject to overview by both parties.

The same NSA that lied to it's oversight committees about it's actions? Or do you live under a different NSA than the rest of us?

[cryoshon]

The NSA lied to the congressional oversight committee repeatedly and reliably. After each lie, there was another leak which showed them to be liars.

They tried to hide by redefining the meaning of all sorts of simple terms ("collection" comes to mind) and narrow political answers like "not under this program".

There hasn't been any actual overview by either party... the actions of the NSA are aggressively hidden from them, and they prosecute whistleblowers.

[daemin]

From what I recall it has only been in the last several years when Google has actually started doing any lobbying.

Also when it comes to lobbying involving a lot of money and for draconian measures you should take a look at Hollywood and the entertainment industry. They've been using lobbyists for decades to pursue even more draconian agendas.

[mindcrime]

The NSA is nonpartisan and is subject to overview by both parties.

Non-partisan my ass. The NSA is it's own party. And from what we've seen over the past 3 years or so, they are - effectively - under NO oversight whatsoever. They lie to Congress with impunity, get rubber-stamp "warrants" from the FISA courts, and then do whatever the hell they want anyway.

[digi_owl]

"rogue elements".

[rhino369]

Applies just as much to Google.