or, "awesome"? Spycraft - with governments - is fascinating - and everyone does it. Including the Germans. Remember - if Germany knows there is a mole in thei

or, "awesome"? Spycraft - with governments - is fascinating - and everyone does it. Including the Germans. Remember - if Germany knows there is a mole in their operation, they can use him to give false info, which is known as "counter intelligence". This is often times more useful than having your own spy. So, I don't think this is just a random episode, it's an attempt to express displeasure with the US, most likely over Ukraine. Doing so publicly embarrasses the US. If this phone bugging can be overcome by throwing it in a box with music playing, we really have to think whether all these bullshit backdoors are going to work for intelligence. What I agree is disgusting is that the backdoors won't ultimately capture the useful intelligence a country might need - it's the basis for totalitarianism, plain and simple. Apparently the NSA records 80% of all phone calls in the USA, including civilians. That's sick. Governments spying on other governments, necessary evil. Is it possible to draw a distinction? i think so.