

The Silent Power of the NSA (1983) - shalmanese
http://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/27/magazine/the-silent-power-of-the-nsa.html?pagewanted=all

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stevewillows
The last paragraph tells the tale of why this article has emerged again.

"No laws define the limits of the N.S.A.'s power. No Congressional committee
subjects the agency's budget to a systematic, informed and skeptical review.
With unknown billions of Federal dollars, the agency purchases the most
sophisticated communications and computer equipment in the world. But truly to
comprehend the growing reach of this formidable organization, it is necessary
to recall once again how the computers that power the N.S.A. are also
gradually changing lives of Americans - the way they bank, obtain benefits
from the Government and communicate with family and friends. Every day, in
almost every area of culture and commerce, systems and procedures are being
adopted by private companies and organizations as well as by the nation's
security leaders that make it easier for the N.S.A. to dominate American
society should it ever decide such action is necessary."

