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Had a discussion today with a couple of colleagues.........

Came up with a few questions................

1. Did anyone not know that the feds were snooping through the banking transactions of Americans? - Not "suspected terrorists" but average Americans? How many of US haven't a clue about the "$10,000" reporting threshold? Even car dealers are compelled to report any cash transaction over $10k.

2. Did anyone not know that the feds have been monitoring telephone, fax, and e-mail correspondence? This has been widely reported since the clinton administration. Seriously, does anyone really believe that their conversations are private?

3. Did anyone really, seriously think that these "stories" were new or news?

I had my own opinions to share, but perhaps the questions themselves were more important? I don't know.

There is one thing I do KNOW, I loose more trust each and every day in our elected representatives and our "objective media" to act in the best interests of ALL Americans.

Yep. From Anti-Money Laundering and the Bank Secrecy Act

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service are responsible for detecting and preventing money laundering schemes. Both the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 (codified in 31 USC 5311-5332 and 31 CFR 103) and the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-56) require banks, money service businesses, and retail stores to report on financial transactions that have the potential for laundering money.

This includes reporting any transactions over 10K or which are 'unusual'.

In addition, there is FinCEN as well, not just a figment of the so-called 'black helicopter' set.

Telecommunications have been monitored through ECHELON and CARNIVORE since the Clinton Administration.

No news to those who have been paying attention. However, an old Connan Doyle line comes to mind, where the clue was the 'dog who did not bark'.

If the Times panics the enemy into even a brief shift in transaction mode and behaviour, this could provide valuable intel.

I have the feeling that not all leaks are completely unintentional. Otherwise, I'd expect the feces would have hit the rotary air shifter by now.

My bet is that at least some transactions have gone off the radar as a result of the Times' statements, and that alone is enough to track a lot of dots. Previously recorded connections follow. ymmv.