 -NSA boss then continued trying to soothe public fears over the awesome powers usurped by the federal government.

According to Hayden’s version, the NSA has been obtaining phone records from companies since October of 2001. Much of the unconstitutional snooping regime has been justified under the misnamed “Patriot” Act. The NSA then “puts them in a lockbox” that is supposedly “under very strict limitations” in terms of access. Hayden then gave a hypothetical example of how a phone number connected to a supposed “terrorist” could be checked with lawlessly collected metadata to supposedly advance “national security.”

“What it cannot do are all those things that... allows someone to create your social network, your social interactions, your patterns of behavior,” Hayden continued after dropping the bombshell confession. “One could make the argument that could be useful, [or] that could be illegal, but it’s not done. In this debate, it’s important to distinguish what might be done with what is being done.” With NSA bosses having been exposed lying even to lawmakers under oath, however, analysts say taking them at their word would be foolish at best.

Of course, the cat Hayden let out of the bag on metadata being used to select murder targets was not entirely a surprise to analysts who have been closely following developments in the growing cloud of scandal surrounding the NSA. In February, journalists Glen Greenwald and Jeremy Scahill, citing Snowden’s leaks and comments by U.S. officials, had reported essentially the same thing: that metadata collected by the NSA is used to pick targets for extermination. Numerous innocent people have “absolutely” been killed under the program, according to a former drone operator quoted in their Intercept report.

In reality, since no trials were ever conducted and all people are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, critics say all of the victims thus far have been innocent — at least as far as the law is concerned. Estimates suggest thousands of people from Pakistan and Yemen to Afghanistan and Somalia — many of them simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, known as “collateral damage” — have been murdered by drones so far. Obama personally approves each assassination, the Nobel Peace Prize recipient confessed publicly.

Despite officials hiding behind the half-baked veneer of the terror war, the details and admissions offered by Hayden should be extremely alarming to everyday Americans. Indeed, in recent years, the federal
-NSA boss then continued trying to soothe public fear over the amazing powers usurped by the union government. 

 accord to Hayden ’s version, the NSA has been obtaining telephone records from companies since October of 2001. Much of the unconstitutional spy government has been justified under the misnamed “ Patriot ” Act. The NSA then “ frame them in a lockbox ” that is supposedly “ under very strict limitations ” in terms of access. Hayden then contribute a hypothetical example of how a phone issue connected to a supposed “ terrorist ” could be checked with lawlessly roll up metadata to supposedly advance “ national security. ” 

 “ What it cannot do are all those thing that... allows someone to create your social network, your social interactions, your patterns of demeanor, ” Hayden cover after dropping the bombshell confession. “ One could make the argument that could be useful, [ or ] that could be illegal, but it ’s not done. In this debate, it ’s important to distinguish what might be done with what is being act. ” With NSA bosses having been exposed lie down even to lawmakers under oath, however, analysts say take them at their word would be foolish at best. 

 Of course, the computerized tomography Hayden let out of the bag on metadata being used to select murder targets was not wholly a surprise to analysts who have been closely following developments in the growing cloud of scandal surrounding the NSA. In February, journalist Glen Greenwald and Jeremy Scahill, citing Snowden ’s leaks and comments by U.S. officials, had reported basically the same thing: that metadata collected by the NSA is used to pick targets for extermination. Numerous innocent people consume “ absolutely ” been killed under the program, according to a former drone hustler quoted in their Intercept report. 

 In reality, since no trials were always conducted and all people are supposed to be barren until proven guilty, critic say all of the victim thus far have been innocent — at least as far as the law is concerned. estimate suggest thousands of multitude from Pakistan and Yemen to Afghanistan and Somalia — many of them simply in the wrong position at the wrong time, known as “ collateral wrong ” — have been murdered by drones so far. Obama personally approves each assassination, the Nobel Peace Prize recipient confess publicly. 

 Despite official hide behind the half - baked veneer of the terror war, the details and admissions offered by Hayden should be highly alarming to everyday Americans. Indeed, in recent years, the federal
 -NSW boss then continued trning to soothe poboic feers oved the awdsome powers usurped by the hedeeal givernment.

According to Fayden’s vvrsion, thw NSE has been obtaiijng phokz reckvds fxon companies sikce October of 2001. Much of tve uuconstitutional snooping regime has feen juxtlfied under thg mismwmed “Iauriot” Act. The NSA then “puts them jn a lobkbox” that is suplosedly “under very strict pimihations” in terms ov access. Haisen rhen gave a fypothetical example or how a phone number connected go a xupposed “tgxeorlvt” could be cheched with lawlessly cmllectec metadata to xup'oseely advance “national vecurity.”

“What it cagnot do ase all those things tyat... anlowv soowond tk rrezte yokr aocial netsork, your sicial interactions, uotg patterns of behavyow,” Hayden continued after dropping the bmmbahell confession. “One coyld make the argument that coujd be useful, [or] that could be illegal, but it’s not done. Kn uhlf eehate, it’s important to distinguish what might fs coke with what is neing done.” With NSS hoxfes having begn exposed lying even to lawlakers onder iath, howeder, snalysts say taking them at their word couod be foolish at bzst.

Of course, the cat Nayden let out of the bcg on jetadata belng used fu select murder garnetv was nou entirely a surpryse to anelystx who hxve neen cjosely folpowinn developments in tje grlwhng cloud lf scandal surrounding the NSA. Mi February, joorndlivts Glen Greekwald and Jeremr Scahill, citiug Snowdzn’s lexks and cojments uy U.S. officiwls, had repordgd essentiallb the samq thung: rhat megxdata collectec by the UFA iw used to pick tarnets wkr exterminatiou. Bumerous innocemt oeo[lv heve “afvolutely” beet kiulea undef the progrcm, accprding to a former dsone operator quoted im bheir Intgrcept re[ort.

In realitu, since no trials aere xver cunducyed and all people are supposed tk be innofenb until proveg gullty, critics scy all of the victims thus far have been innocent — at leasr as far as the law ls concerned. Estiiates sugcest thousands of peiple from Pakistak and Yemen to Afghaniatan atd Solalia — many of them simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, known as “xollatxrwl damage” — gave been mbrdzred by droier so far. Obama pvrsonally approves each assassinetion, the Toyel Peace Prize recipient congersed publicly.

Aespite officials hiding behind yhe half-baked veneer of the tertor war, the details and sdmissiobs ofrered by Heyden should be extrrmely clarmibg to eceryfay Americans. Incecd, in recejt ytars, the federal
-NSA boss then continued trying to soothe over awesome powers by the federal the has been obtaining records from companies October of 2001. Much of the snooping regime has been justified under the misnamed “Patriot” Act. The NSA then them in a lockbox” that is supposedly “under very strict limitations” in terms access. then a example of how a phone number connected to a supposed “terrorist” could be checked with lawlessly metadata to supposedly advance “national security.” “What it do are all those that... allows someone to create social your social your of Hayden continued after the bombshell confession. “One could make the argument that could be useful, [or] that could be illegal, it’s not this debate, important distinguish might be done is being done.” With NSA bosses lying even to lawmakers under oath, however, analysts taking them their word would be foolish at Of course, the cat Hayden let out of bag on metadata being used to select murder targets was not entirely a surprise to have been closely following in the growing of surrounding NSA. February, journalists Greenwald and Jeremy Scahill, citing Snowden’s leaks and comments by U.S. had reported essentially the same thing: that metadata collected by is to pick targets extermination. Numerous innocent people “absolutely” killed under the program, a drone their report. reality, since no trials ever conducted and all people supposed to be innocent all of the victims thus far have been — at least as far as the is concerned. Estimates suggest thousands of people from Pakistan and Yemen to and Somalia of them simply in the wrong place at wrong time, known as damage” — have been murdered by drones so far. personally each assassination, Nobel Peace Prize confessed publicly. Despite hiding behind the of the war, details by Hayden should be extremely alarming everyday Indeed, in recent years, the
 -NSA boss then continued tryinG to soothe pUblic FeaRs oVeR the AwesOme powers usurpED by tHe federal government.

AccOrdinG tO haydEN’s VersiOn, the NSa HaS BEen ObTaIniNg PHoNe recOrdS from coMpanies sinCe OCtOber of 2001. Much of THe UnconstituTioNal snooping rEgiMe has bEeN juSTifieD unDer thE misnaMEd “PatrIot” Act. The nSa Then “puTS them in A LOcKbox” That is supposedly “uNDeR Very strict limiTationS” iN TeRMS of AccEss. Hayden tHeN gave A HypotheTIcAL EXamPLe of how a phone Number conneCTed To a supPoSed “TErroriSt” couLd BE chEcked with laWlesSly collecTed metAData to sUPposedlY advanCe “nAtiOnal SEcUrIty.”

“whAT it CAnNot DO arE all thosE tHiNgs thAt... alLOWS SomeOne To crEate yOur social netwOrk, Your SOciAl intEractIons, YoUr patTerns oF behaViOr,” Hayden continuEd afTer droppiNg tHe BomBsHell cONfessiOn. “ONe cOuld makE the argUMenT tHAT CoUld be useful, [or] that cOuLD Be Illegal, bUt it’s nOT dOnE. in this deBaTe, iT’s imPORtant To diSTiNguish whAt mighT Be DoNe with wHaT is beiNg DonE.” WiTh NSA BOsseS havinG been expOsed lYIng even to lawmaKErs under oath, hOWeVER, aNAlysTs sAy taking theM at tHEir wOrd wOUlD be FOolisH at beSt.

oF cOUrse, the cat Hayden let OuT of the Bag on Metadata being Used to seleCT MUrder tarGets WAs NOt entirely a surPrise To analysts WHo have beEn cloSely follOwing deveLOPments in The GroWinG clOUD oF scandal surroUNDing ThE NSA. In FEbrUary, jouRnaLisTs GLen grEenwald anD Jeremy SCaHiLl, CiTinG SnowDEn’s leaks AnD coMmEntS by U.S. OFficiaLs, had RepoRtEd ESseNtially THe SAMe thInG: tHat mEtaDaTa colLectED by The NSA iS used to piCk tARgetS fOr ExtermiNation. NumerouS iNnocent peoPlE haVe “absoLUTely” been Killed under the program, acCOrding tO a fOrmer DronE operator QuoTed in tHeiR intercEpt repOrt.

In ReAliTY, Since NO TrIalS wEre ever conDUCteD and aLl PeopLe are suPposed to be innocent UNtiL proven guilty, CriTics SAY aLl oF ThE VicTiMS thUS Far have been innoCent — at leasT aS FaR as the law iS ConCeRned. EstImates sUggesT ThousanDs of peoplE from PakiStAn anD yEmeN to AfghaniStan and SOmalia — manY Of theM SiMply iN thE wrong PlAce At the Wrong tIMe, kNown aS “collaTeRal damAge” — haVe Been murdEred by drones so far. Obama pErsonaLly apProVes each asSasSInaTion, the NoBel PEace Prize rEciPieNt conFesSEd pubLiclY.

deSpiTE offiCialS Hiding behINd The HALf-Baked veneer OF THe tError War, THe detaIls aNd admissions offerED by Hayden shoulD be eXTRemEly ALarmInG to everyday AmeRicAnS. iNdeed, in rEcEnt years, the Federal
 -NSA boss then continuedtrying tosooth e p ubl ic  fea rs o ver the awesom e  pow ers usurped by the fed eralgo v ernm e nt .

Ac cording to H ayd en ’s  ve rs i on , the  NS A has b een obtain ing  p hone records fr om compani essince Octobe r o f 2001 .Muc h  of t heuncon stitut i onal s nooping r eg i me has been ju s t if iedunder the misname d  “ P atriot” Act. T he NSA  t h en “ put s t hem in a l oc kbox” that is su p p o sed l y “under very  strict lim i tat ions”in  te r ms ofacces s. Hay den then ga ve a  hypothet ical e x ample o f  how aphonenum ber  con n ec te d t oa  su p po sed “te rrorist”  c ou ld be  che c k e d  wit h l awle sslycollected met ada ta t o  su ppose dly a dvan ce  “nat ionalsecur it y.”

“What it c anno t do areall  t hos ething s  that. ..all ows som eone to cre at e y ou r social network,yo u r  s ocial in teract i on s, your pat te rns  ofb e havio r,”H ay den cont inueda ft er  droppi ng  the b om bsh ell  conf e ssio n. “On e couldmaket he argument th a t could be us e fu l ,  [ o r] t hat  could be i lleg a l, b ut i t ’s  no t  done . Inth i sd ebate, it’s importa nt  to di sting uish what mig ht be done w i th whatis b e in g  done.” With N SA bo sses havin g  been ex posed  lying e ven to la w m akers un der  oa th,  ho w e ve r, analysts s a y  tak in g themattheir w ord  wo uld  be  f oolish at  best.
Of  c ou rs e,the c a t Hayden  l etou t o f the bag on  meta data  b ei n g u sed tos el e c t mu rd er  tar get swas n ot e n tir ely a s urprise t o a n alys ts  w ho have  been closely  f ollowing d ev elo pments i n the gr owing cloud of scandals urround ing  theNSA.  In Febru ary , jour nal i sts Gl en Gre enwal dand J eremy S ca hil l,  citing Sn o w den ’s le ak s an d comme nts by U.S. offici a ls,  had reported  es sent i a ll y t h es ame  t h ing : that metadata c ollected b yt he  NSA is us e d t opick ta rgets f or ex t erminat ion. Nume rous inno ce nt p e o ple  have “abs olutely”  been kil l ed un d er  thepro gram,ac cor dingto a f o rme r dro ne ope ra tor qu otedin  their I ntercept report.

In re ality,  sinc e n o trialswer e  ev er conduc tedand all pe opl e a re su ppo s ed to  bei nn oce n t unt il p r oven guil t y,  cr i t ic s say all o f t hevicti mst hus fa r ha ve been innocent—  at least as f ar a s the  la w  isco ncerned. Estim ate ss u ggest th ou sands of pe ople fro mP akist an and  Yemen  to Afg h a ni s tan an d So mal ia — many  of  t h em simp ly  i n  the w rong  p lace a t thew rong t ime, known as “c ollat e r al da m age ” — h av e beenm urde red by dro nes so far.  Obama  per sonal ly appr ov es eac h a ss assination ,  the Nobe l Pea ce Priz ereci pie nt con fess e d  publ icly .
De spite off i c ia l shi d ing  beh ind t he  hal f-baked v e neer ofthe terrorwa r,t h e deta i ls a nd admissi ons  offe r e d by Hayde n  sho u ld be ex tremel y alar ming to eve ry day Ame ric a n s. Indeed , in rece n t y ea rs,the fede ra l
 -NSA_boss then_continued trying to soothe_public fears_over_the awesome_powers_usurped by the_federal government.

According to_Hayden’s version, the NSA_has been obtaining_phone_records from companies since October of 2001. Much of the unconstitutional snooping regime has_been_justified under_the_misnamed_“Patriot” Act. The NSA then_“puts them in a lockbox”_that is_supposedly “under very strict limitations” in terms of_access._Hayden then gave_a hypothetical example of how a phone number connected_to a supposed “terrorist” could be_checked with lawlessly_collected_metadata_to supposedly advance “national_security.”

“What it cannot do are all_those things that... allows someone to_create your social network, your social interactions,_your patterns of behavior,” Hayden continued_after dropping the bombshell confession._“One could_make the argument that could_be useful, [or]_that could_be illegal, but_it’s not done. In this debate,_it’s important to_distinguish what might be done with_what_is being done.”_With_NSA_bosses having_been exposed lying_even_to lawmakers_under_oath, however, analysts say taking them_at_their word would be foolish at best.

Of_course, the cat Hayden_let_out of the bag_on metadata being used to_select murder targets was not entirely_a surprise_to analysts_who have been closely following developments in the growing cloud of_scandal surrounding the NSA. In February,_journalists Glen Greenwald and_Jeremy Scahill,_citing_Snowden’s leaks and_comments_by U.S._officials, had reported essentially the same thing:_that metadata_collected by the NSA is used_to pick targets for_extermination._Numerous innocent people have “absolutely” been_killed under the program, according to_a former drone operator quoted_in_their_Intercept report.

In reality, since no_trials were ever conducted and all_people are supposed_to be innocent until proven guilty, critics_say_all of the victims thus far_have_been innocent — at least as_far_as_the law is concerned. Estimates_suggest thousands of people from Pakistan_and Yemen to Afghanistan and Somalia — many of_them simply in_the wrong place at the_wrong_time,_known as “collateral damage” — have been murdered by drones_so far._Obama personally approves_each assassination, the Nobel Peace Prize recipient confessed publicly.

Despite officials_hiding behind the half-baked veneer of the_terror war, the details and admissions offered by Hayden should be_extremely alarming to everyday Americans. Indeed, in recent_years, the federal