[naasking]

> Surveillance on foreign nationals that "inadvertently" intercepted communications from their political opponents.

And political allies too. That's how dragnet surveillance works. What's your point?

> We're rightfully worried about what Trump could do with such power; we should also be investigating what Obama actually did with it.

I agree, so stop wasting your time on conspiracy theories like this and look at Obama's actual questionable actions.

[leereeves]

> That's how dragnet surveillance works.

It's ok to spy on your political enemies as long as you spy on everyone else too? Will you feel so charitable when Trump does the same?

> look at Obama's actual questionable actions.

His known and proven questionable actions, you mean? Tip of the iceberg, certainly.

Watergate itself was nothing more than a conspiracy theory at one time.

But you're right, I'm not interested in conspiracy theories. That's why I said we should investigate.

[naasking]

> It's ok to spy on your political enemies as long as you spy on everyone else too?

The real issue is whether it's ok to spy on everyone. Spying on everyone means spying on your political enemies too, and your specific focus on the political enemies is ignoring the important debate. You're effectively arguing that spying on everyone isn't important, as long as you don't spy on your political enemies.

> But you're right, I'm not interested in conspiracy theories. That's why I said we should investigate.

And waste time and resources on a completely stupid premise. Spend your political capital more wisely.

[leereeves]

Spying on your political enemies is a serious threat to democracy.

Not many seem to care, frankly, that the government is spying on them. I have some hope that they might care about America turning into a dictatorship where elections are decided by abuse of power.

On the other hand, I also see many reasons to fear that they won't care, as long as "their side" wins.