Way to turn the world against you, America

By Michael J.W. Stickings

The Guardian reports:

The National Security Agency monitored the phone conversations of 35 world leaders after being given the numbers by an official in another US government department, according to a classified document provided by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

The confidential memo reveals that the NSA encourages senior officials in its "customer" departments, such the White House, State and the Pentagon, to share their "Rolodexes" so the agency can add the phone numbers of leading foreign politicians to their surveillance systems.

The document notes that one unnamed US official handed over 200 numbers, including those of the 35 world leaders, none of whom is named. These were immediately "tasked" for monitoring by the NSA.

Oh, sure, the surveillance state apologists will say that this is what everyone does so get over it, or that none of this would have come out if it hadn't been for the "traitor" Snowden so it's all his fault, but the fact is that the truth has gotten out and much of the rest of the world is pissed with the U.S. and rightly so. How can anyone, even a close ally like Germany, trust America?

Remember when Obama distinguished himself from Bush II by rebuilding America's standing and credibility around the world?

Yeah.