More updates:

*"Newly uncovered documents directly challenge statements made by President Obama and other officials who insisted that the National Security Agency was not abusing its authority or knowingly violating Americans' privacy. *

The Washington Post reported on an audit and other secret documents that allegedly show the NSA broke privacy rules and overstepped its authority thousands of times since it was granted new powers in 2008."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/08/16/nsa-documents-challenge-obama-claim-that-surveillance-programs-not-abused/#ixzz2c8ypqnxA

I say my point of view is strengthened by pointing out that the abuses made public coincide with elected officials (newly elected president and a new Democratic controlled congress) putting their self serving, dirty hands into what has always been a dirty international endeavor dealing with national security.  I'm not so naive to believe "new powers" did not come with political favors owed.  It is the current presidency that has denied any abuses by NSA right up to this new revelation.   If I tell Quest to clandestinely shoot his neighbor and he does but later gets caught, I can stand before witnesses and state "Quest did not abuse his power."  I am being truthful to the neighborhood because I secretly know I gave him the authority, mandate and the means to do it.  I say fingers should be pointed not towards NSA but to elected politicians.