The leak-and-response cycle of the past couple months has been highly entertaining and the pattern is nearly always the same.

1. Leak reveals evidence of NSA overreach or wrongdoing.
2. NSA issues statement explaining how leak is being misinterpreted or is an aberration.
3. NSA attends hearings and issues statements declaring it doesn‘t abuse its power. (Frequently qualified with „not under this program.“)
4. New leak reveals evidence of NSA overreach or wrongdoing, proving NSA‘s most recent statements were pretty much „incomplete lies“ or „least untruthful“ answers.
5. Repeat.