Speaking at McGill University in Montreal on Tuesday, Al Gore described the NSA measures revealed by Edward Snowden as "outrageous" and "completely unacceptable." According to the Guardian, Gore also said he doubted the far-reaching surveillance would be allowed to continue: "I think they will have to pull this back. I think you will see a reining in." He also said that Snowden "has revealed evidence of what appears to be crimes against the Constitution of the United States."
"I say that as someone who was a member of the National Security Council working in the White House and getting daily briefings from the CIA," Gore said, in comments reported by the Canadian Press. Gore had previously said he believed the practice of the NSA collecting US citizens phone records was unlawful and "not really the American way", but his comments on Tuesday represent his strongest criticism yet.
Wryly, Gore added: "When you are looking for a needle in a haystack, it's not always wise to pile more hay on the haystack."
The comments after the article are interesting too and worth a look. Some suggest that Snowden should be pardoned. And one wistfully says: "Sure wish the people's vote had been the deciding factor and [Gore] became president. History might have been so much better than it is." Others are doubtful that the NSA will be reined in: "It won't happen, too much taxpayers money has been spent for this to become a white elephant."