This sort of thing started out during the Clinton years with the Eschelon program, recording all phone calls, sifting through them looking for certain key works.

Personally, I don't have any problem with the Feds tracking phone numbers looking for terrorist cells because they are not recording them and/or listening in. The Terror War requires new techniques to fight it, and the phone pattern database is one of them.

The Gov't is looking at all sorts of patterns in the Drug War, Smuggling operations and others. Don't ask how I know.

__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.