[Westbrook]

IIRC, the NSA started spying on our European allies in 2006, while Bush was still POTUS.

[Timber Rattler]

Yep, and really, I could care less about what foreign governments and officials think about NSA spying---it's doing what I would expect it to do under the national security Act of 1947. It's the domestic spying on American citizens within our own country that I intensely dislike.

At any rate, this is where Snowden is doing real national security damage, and crosses the line from heroic whistle blowly to Bradley Manning-Julian Assaunge villainy.

[Former Proud Canadian]

I am not here to defend Obama. I think spying on "allies" began long before Bush.

The German's knew about this a long time ago. So did the other "allies". Now that it is brought into the public eye, they are aghast.

What they are really complaining about is the continued existence of the "five eyes" intelligence network. This loose organization dates from the 1940's and is the most exclusive alliance in the world. Membership is limited and closed. Members have the luxury of access to world class sigint. Germany, Japan, France and the others are jealous. They know they will always be targets and will never be full members.

[Red in Blue PA]

Do we really need to spy on Merkel’s cell phone? I find that over the top and unacceptable.

[lafarge]

You know, that’s a false argument. The politicians do this all the time - make an activity far worse than it was, institutionalize it, and when people complain, the politicians blame it on the other guy.

Sorry, we’re on to that play.

Heads need to roll, literally.

[CodeToad]

“IIRC, the NSA started spying on our European allies in 2006, while Bush was still POTUS.”

2006? We’ve been spying on anyone and everyone since at least WWI.

[usconservative]

IIRC, the NSA started spying on our European allies in 2006, while Bush was still POTUS.

Don't kid yourself, these spying programs have been going on for decades, likely dating back to the 1940's. The only thing that's changed is the maturity of the technology and techniques used to spy.

What's different NOW is that the NSA's "been caught" and the rest of the world is feigning outrage as if they don't do it themselves (I assure you, they do.)

[Cboldt]

Probably before that. Embassies are always targets for surveillance, and that goes in all directions. What's changed here is only that the political leaders are finding it difficult to have a confidential conversation.

I think the revelation is just a convenient excuse to claim loss of trust. They aren't saying what the real reason is.

[Cyclone59]

you are correct, but the media was had their collective panties in such a giant wad over it too. Of course, now they are silent and some even saying that “it’s the price of freedom”