Ninth Circuit rules NSA's bulk collection of Americans' call records was illegal (politico.com)

Article summary

The Ninth Circuit has ruled that the NSA's bulk collection of Americans' call records was illegal. The decision may not result in the destruction of the collected records, as it would need to be upheld by the Supreme Court. The ruling has sparked discussion about the legality and ethics of government surveillance and data collection. The conversation also touches on the lack of accountability for those involved in torture and other war crimes.

Main themes

• government surveillance
• war crimes
• accountability
• immunity
• NSA
• torture
• perjury

What commenters say

• Prosecution of those responsible for illegal surveillance and torture is necessary, despite potential retroactivity issues.
• Granting immunity to witnesses who testify before Congress can be problematic and may not always be justified.
• The NSA's actions constitute a betrayal of the American people and undermine trust in the government.
• Holding government officials accountable for war crimes is crucial, but may be challenging due to the US not being a party to the ICC.
• The lack of consequences for perjury and other wrongdoing by government officials is a concern.
• The promotion of individuals involved in torture and other unethical activities to high-ranking positions is troubling.
• The distinction between active and retired military personnel commenting on political matters is significant, with active duty personnel generally refraining from public opinions.
• The US government's actions, including surveillance and foreign policy, are often driven by a desire to maintain power and control.