The NSA Scandal: What Did President Obama Know?

The NSA's 'Stasi Methods' - What Did Obama Know? -- Deutsche Welle

Barack Obama has come under intense pressure following the scandal over the bugging of Angela Merkel's cell phone by the NSA. The intelligence agency insists the US president knew nothing, but there are contradictions.

The White House remains silent, while the National Security Agency denies German media claims that its chief, Keith Alexander, informed President Barack Obama in 2010 that it was bugging German Chancellor Angela Merkel's phone.

Alexander neither spoke with Obama about the secret operation, "nor has he ever discussed alleged operations involving Chancellor Merkel," a statement from NSA spokeswoman Vanee Vines said.

According to the New York Times, the eavesdropping began 10 years ago, around the time of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, while Merkel was still in opposition as chairwoman of her party, the Christian Democratic Union. "What is coming to light now is no surprise to me," said Thomas Drake, an NSA operative for 18 years before becoming a whistleblower.

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My Comment: Deutsche Welle in the above article sums up the contradictions on the White House story (spin) that involves that NSA. In the end .... President Obama will have to address this issue publicly and in detail .... and I suspect that when that happens many of his supporters are going to be disappointed.