Think the NSA database is no big deal? It's a political nightmare

[Canuckistanian]

Consider this. Here's a huge database of call records. Pretty innocuous, as most people's calling patterns don't make much sense to monitor. A small circle of friends, acquaintances, businesses.

But think about what a POLITICAL GOLDMINE this is.

Imagine having all the records of every call John Kerry ever made. Every person he talked to. Every organization he talked to or that contacted him. And when. Increased call frequency from Harry Reid's office could mean something big is about to happen in the Senate. Even Arlen Specter could be closely watched.

Imagine every journalist's call investigating a story about government crimes. You could find out who's talking to whom and judging by the stories they write, exactly what they said. Who needs a wiretap? Background sources could easily be deduced.

Imagine having a record of Patrick Fitzgerald's calls. They could figure out if Rove's really in trouble or if Fitz is on the right track, just by seeing who he talked to.

Some unscrupulous political operatives would kill for such a list.

And now, they have it.