[Ygg2]

Yeah, no. That doesn't work like that. The times now and 40 years ago were different.

CIA, NSA and the whole gamut are now much more efficient than they were 40 years ago (no need for due process etc.) If you try to play fair, they'll fuck you over big time.

Look how much good the legal system was to Aaron Schwartz for a minor misdemeanor. You'd never hear from Edward Snowden, until he just came out and admitted he was Chinese spy and that he loves Big Brother, I mean Big Government.

PS. He isn't in China btw, he is in Hong Kong. Which isn't a communist country as comment before me noted.

[anigbrowl]

I don't know whether to be amused or depressed by the ahistorical ignorance of your comments.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Committee

[Ygg2]

True, history hasn't been my strong side, but I don't see how Watergate is relevant?

The difference in technology (between now and then) is huge, since our lives have migrated more towards the Internet. Before the wiretapping could only go so far. You needed to install wiretapping in a room (phones could always be bugged).

Now wiretapping is everywhere. You literally carry the equipment for others to wiretap you (mobile phones, laptops, google glass, etc). It's just an order of magnitude more easier now.

[anigbrowl]

'Wiretapping' means bugging your phone, by definition. You tap into the phone wire.

[Ygg2]

Ok, semantics error. I switched the meaning of bugging/wiretapping the room. I can't edit the message.

The point is the same, you actually carry around tools that allows others to spy on you (this wasn't the case before). Happy?