[fhayek]

I think that we should never stop gaining intelligence on other nations, even those that are friendly to us. But what Obama does here is beneath contempt (that should be his motto). I mean he comes out so all high and mighty about spying on 'friends', then he spies on Israel. But he doesn't chose to spy on Israel because it is in the nation's interest. He spies on Israel for his own personal, political interest. He probably stopped spying on Iran, too. Beneath contempt.

[cripplecreek]

I think that we should never stop gaining intelligence on other nations, even those that are friendly to us. But what Obama does here is beneath contempt.

Agreed, its not outside the norm for the USA and Israel to spy on each other but for our own government to spy on congress is wildly illegal but may explain a few things about Congress in recent years.

[Mariner]

"I think that we should never stop gaining intelligence on other nations, even those that are friendly to us. "

But here we see an abuse of power.

The White House wanted the content of those calls.

For a surveillance state, the idea that the spy masters would forward ANY information not directly related and pertinent to National Security for political use and purposes, is crossing the Rubicon.

All of the information gathered by NSA here was gathered without warrant.

I believe the American people would tolerate a Security Apparatus that filters to only legitimate National Security issues for appropriate interdiction and enforcement.

But the American people will not tolerate wholesale collection of very, very private matters for political purposes.

And, I don't believe they will tolerate the use of acquired information for routine law enforcement when it's obtained without warrant. Meaning, LEO can never have direct access.

[mrsmith]

“He spies on Israel *and the congressmen* for his own personal, political interest. “
I wouldn’t even care about spying on the Congress- IF it was done for the national interest (which would be a rare case I hope!).