NSA surveillance and the dangers of unchecked power

Every so often, we get proof that President Obama, when confronted with a grievous abuse of government power by his administration, will do the right thing. Sometimes, I mean. When he can’t get away with it anymore, that is. Just as soon as he’s tried everything else.

That’s the case with his domestic phone records collection, which the president finally said he wants to put under tighter control than before. At moments like this, believe it or not, Obama sounds faintly like that guy who ran to replace President George W. Bush.