[citation][nom]dark_wizzie[/nom]Let the downvote riot begin because you obviouosly have no suitable retort...[/citation]
Actually I didn't downvote you, I assume you got downvoted because you posted the same thing three times. However in response, this is something that occurs in most countries not just the United States, the article specifically mentions US government agencies, a large percentage of the user's on the English versions on the site are from the US, and most people are unhappy with the way the US is running things anyway, if you're complaining without any facts you need to shutup.
And finally these aren't new by any stretch of the imagination ECPA is from the 80's, USAPatriot act 2001, and FISA has origins in the cold war.
I don't see how the remark could be sarcastic, this comes up often and shouldn't be treated lightly. These are civil liberties someone could be joking about. They should be taken seriously and should be fought for every step of the way, not just in the US but all over the world. By joking about them your essentially saying you don't care if your rights are trampled upon. In my view this is the same as joking about murder, sure it may be funny but it's a serious subject. Of course I may just be crusty as I get older.