Manchin: Big Brother Is Watching

Says there's a 'fine balance' to be found with NSA snooping
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 22, 2013 2:03 PM CST
Manchin: Big Brother Is Watching
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., talks to reporters about gun control as he leaves a Democratic caucus at the Capitol, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

All those mutterings about "Big Brother" don't seem quite so funny, says Joe Manchin, "now (that) we found out that Big Brother is truly watching you." Addressing everybody's favorite invader of privacy—the NSA—the West Virginia Democrat said there's a "fine balance" to be struck. "How do we protect the privacies of each and every American but also protect the security of our country?" He thinks the answer lies in scaling back the NSA, reports Politico, telling CNN that "I think you’re going to find backing off some, making some changes that are going to keep us secure and safe." House Intel chair Mike Rogers, meanwhile, blasted NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, telling ABC that "I do think he should come home—I would personally pay for his plane ticket—and be held accountable for his actions. He has contacted a foreign country and said I would sell you classified information for something of value." He adds: "We call that treason, and I think that letter very clearly lays out who this gentleman is and what his intentions are." Elsewhere on your Sunday dial, as per Politico:

  • Manchin on gun control in 2014: "It’s going to be difficult to get the extra votes that we need. I’m going to be honest with you."
  • Joel Osteen on Pope Francis: "I like the new pope," he says; the pontiff has made the church "more inclusive."
  • Christine Lagarde on Congress' budget deal: "The budget deal that was cut, at your end, is a very good sign of responsibility, of accountability and realism. I hope that in February, Congress will be equally responsible and will not threaten the recovery with yet another debate about whether or not the United states will honor or default."
  • Rogers on holiday travel: "I don’t think I see any other threat streams that I would say is out of the norm."
(More Sunday morning talk shows stories.)

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