[ccalvert]

This is legitimate activity for the NSA, but it plays badly in Europe. My guess is that Snowden and his friends are pandering to folks in Europe who naturally dislike this kind of thing, and particularly to folks in Germany.

Imagine the reaction on the far right here in America to a news report that Russia, Germany or France spies on American intelligence agencies. It's natural that such things should happen, but its also certain to create discord among certain factions here in America.