An American journalist and commentator says the National Security Agency has Å“abjectly” violated the US Constitution and should be Å“reined” by authorities.
Å“Spying on United States citizens is forbidden by the Constitution,” said Mike Harris, a Phoenix-based editor with Veterans Today, in a phone interview with Press TV on Monday. Å“The NSA is abjectly in violation of the US Constitution.”
Harris urged the government to Å“reform” the NSA in a way that Americans can be Å“safe and secure” because the agency is abusing its power. Å“Power corrupts,” he warned.
The journalist warned against possible consequences of the agencyâ„¢s snooping, saying Å“if they have the ability to read everyoneâ„¢s emails and other correspondence, then the contention for them to glean information” will allow them Å“to blackmail” individuals or Å“force decisions that are not in the best interest of the American public.”
President Obama is under pressure from all sides to announce major reforms to the NSA.
Privacy and civil liberties groups as well as lawmakers on the left have urged for a wholesale termination of much of the governmentâ„¢s snooping. Foreign leaders, rankled by the notion that the US might be spying on them, are also pressing for change in the agencyâ„¢s surveillance laws.
After revelations that the NSA is spying on Americans and other nationals, agencyâ„¢s officials claimed their spying efforts were aimed at foiling terrorist operations.
A new study however suggests that the massive data collection has barely helped the US thwart terrorist attacks.
The study by the New American Foundation has analyzed 225 terrorism cases in the US since the 9/11 attacks, showing that the NSA surveillance program Å“has had no discernible impact on preventing acts of terrorism.”
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Source: Press TV