NSA Reports Improper Surveillance of Americans
Releasing such documents, even if fully redacted, is important for State Agencies when dealing with a branding windfall. This, along with for example Obama's recent memo to the US Intelligence community asking them to be more considerate of civil liberties for allied nations, do nothing to actually address the problem but they do give off the appearance of caring.<p>Compare this to how a corporation deals with a negative branding windfall. Take the case of GM this year in dealing with their ignition switch recall. The controversy increased as their response was based on rationalization without dealing with the fallout of trust. Eventually the increased negativity brought their CEO to practically beg the public for forgiveness.<p>The US Gov, perhaps just another corporation, stands in contrast by conducting a rational response like Toyota, albeit slower, but it has no reason to consider the wider trust fallout, apart from measures this article mentions. It feels there is no reason to prosecute anyone for torture (Obama's look forward not backward argument). This protection of their gangsters [1] is a mentality that trickles down through the whole system of governance including how wrongful acts by the police are handled.<p>When Toyota's trust was damaged they had to beg to keep customers. When the US Gov's trust is damaged... meh, you're not going anywhere.<p>1. <a href="http://youtu.be/tQhIRBxbchU?t=2m9s" rel="nofollow">http://youtu.be/tQhIRBxbchU?t=2m9s</a>