Lawmakers of both parties voice doubts about NSA surveillance programs

I'm happy to read the Washington Post story discussing the House committee's hearing on the NSA's domestic spying programs.  It's encouraging that both parties aren't happy with the programs and that "...there are not enough votes in the House now to renew Section 215 [of the Patriot Act] when the law is revisited."

Of course the wrong arguments were being made by Stewart Baker, the former NSA general council.  Using fear mongering techniques, Baker talked about the failures of the NSA prior to September 11th (which was an investigation failure and not an intelligence failure) and how the "hyped and distorted press reports orchestrated by Edward Snowden" was out to harm the intelligence agencies.  Baker should have been addressing the civil liberties that are being put at risk and the risks to the First and Fourth Amendments.

Needless to say, I'll be following these hearings closely.