Editorial: Not so secret

The release of classified information about U.S. spying activities is proving increasingly embarrassing for Uncle Sam.

According to individuals relatively close to the ever-growing exposé concerning massive spying activities by America’s National Security Agency against more than 35 countries and many of their leaders, the worse is yet to become public.

Despite assurances that Uncle Sam has not been spying, U.S. leaders have had to admit they were caught red-handed twice: for not telling the truth to the American people and also for not telling the truth to foreign leaders.

The spy business is a slippery enterprise, and Americans hope their appropriate government officials are using the best possible techniques to protect this country from all possible enemies. Spying is part of the game, and European leaders and others should not be surprised to learn Uncle Sam has some extremely sophisticated methods of surveillance. They probably are surprised, however, with the extent of spying on allied partners. Likewise, U.S. officials should not be surprised by efforts of other countries, particularly those considered our enemies, to spy on U.S. government and military facilities.

Continuing leaks of embarrassing and potentially damaging information by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who now is living in Russia, has weakened the Obama administration’s ability to deal with foreign nations, angered our allies and probably given ammunition to our enemies in their efforts to discredit the U.S.

Much of the leaked information has shocked Americans because they have learned their own government has been engaged in extensive spying and surveillance tactics, invading their privacy in many ways. There is no reason for Americans to believe they enjoy any privacy or protection from their government’s eavesdropping efforts.

Now, according to various knowledgeable individuals, “the worst is yet to come.”

Just how deep and how invasive our government has been in attacking the privacy of its citizens and how much NSA technicians have delved into the actions and policies of our allies’ governments and leaders is yet to be revealed.

Just how much worse can an already embarrassing, “worst case scenario” become? Apparently there is more to come at the same time a growing number of nations are calling for United Nations censure of U.S. spying activities.