What would have happened if Nixon would have had the same technology to use warrantless wire tapping and data mining that Bush has today? He could have found out who deep throat was, could have stifled that “leak” with his “plumbers crew” and we the general public would have never found out about Watergate.

Now it seems this chilling scenario is happening right before our eyes.

A senior federal law enforcement official tells ABC News the government is tracking the phone numbers we (Brian Ross and Richard Esposito) call in an effort to root out confidential sources.

“It’s time for you to get some new cell phones, quick,” the source told us in an in-person conversation.

more here with commentary here.

In a nut shell the Bush administration while not technically “listening to phone calls” (although they might be) is reportedly using warrantless data mining to suppress whistle-blowers.

By warrentlessly tracking all phone calls made to and from a certain reporter the NSA or CIA or Dick Cheney , or god knows who else, can root out “pesky leaks”. Reporters are saying that their sources are drying up because people in the CIA and FBI are being issued random polygraph tests, and are terrified there phones are being tapped. The fear of getting caught in a warrantless wire tap is drying up a process that exposes corruption in our government.

Think of all the “pesky leaks” that have lead to indictments. Watergate, Iran contra, Lewinsky gate. Perhaps this history of leaks leading to criminal proceedings have the Bush administration worrying about the recent leaks about secret eastern European prisons, torture, suspicious energy meetings, and warrantless domestic spying. None of which would have come to light had someone not “leaked.”

Our government while arguably one of the better on the planet, has enormous power, and we have little idea what goes on behind that veil of power. As such we the citizens are dependent on honorable “whistle-blowers” to let us know when a crime is being committed.

Big brother? Panopticon? Maybe, but if history can be any sort of guide I predict impeachment, and imprisonment. The American public is not stupid, there will be a backlash, if the House or Senate goes Democrat in November (get out the vote!) we are going to see some very partisan politics. Specifically I predict we will see investigation after investigation.