Despite the fact that he apparently despises me, this, by Ethan, is a very good catch:
The National Security Agency's Internet site has been placing files on visitors' computers that can track their Web surfing activity despite strict federal rules banning most files of that type.
The files, known as cookies, disappeared after a privacy activist complained and The Associated Press made inquiries this week. Agency officials acknowledged yesterday that they had made a mistake.
Nonetheless, the issue raised questions about privacy at the agency, which is on the defensive over reports of an eavesdropping program.
"Considering the surveillance power the N.S.A. has, cookies are not exactly a major concern," said Ari Schwartz, associate director at the Center for Democracy and Technology, a privacy advocacy group in Washington. "But it does show a general lack of understanding about privacy rules when they are not even following the government's very basic rules for Web privacy."
The full New York Times article is here. And I can tell you how this debate will go. Whiny al-Qaeda sympathizers like myself will complain that this overreach further underscores the need for oversight of the NSA. Conservatives, in response, will explain that I'm just concerned the Feds will discover my extensive collection of child porn, and that if I and the Democratic Party don't think purveyors of kiddie films and snuff flicks should caught and prosecuted, well, they're anxious to have that debate. Then, Rasmussen Reports will poll the issue, asking:
Should the NSA be allowed to track the web sites visited by suspected terrorists, pedophiles, and perverts?
62 percent of Americans will say yes, the right will crow its victory, the left will poo-poo the numbers, and next week we'll start the cycle all over again.
