Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    How Much Surveillance Will Americans Tolerate?

    Section 215 of the Patriot Act expires at the end of next month. It authorizes the bulk collection of American telephone records by the National Security Agency — part of what was revealed by Edward Snowden two years ago. President Obama says it's not really needed to keep America safe and that he's willing to let it expire .

    • rss
    • Share
    By Warren Olney • Apr 27, 2015 • 32m Listen

    Section 215 of the Patriot Act expires at the end of next month. It authorizes the bulk collection of American telephone records by the National Security Agency — part of what was revealed by Edward Snowden two years ago. President Obama says it's not really needed to keep America safe and that he's willing to let it expire. But Congress is divided. While Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants it renewed, a House Committee wants it amended to require the NSA to take court action before collecting some information. With time for action running short, do most Americans understand what's at stake for their privacy? Do they really care?

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    How Much Surveillance Will Americans Tolerate?
    1. 1:18First African-American Woman Sworn In as Attorney General
    2. 8:08How Much Surveillance Will Americans Tolerate?You’re reading this
    3. 41:24Justice Anthony Kennedy and Gay Rights Decisions
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Sáša Woodruff

      Producer, 'To the Point'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Evan George

      Director of Content, News

    • KCRW placeholder

      Damian Paletta

      Washington Post

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jameel Jaffer

      ACLU

    • KCRW placeholder

      Daniel Gallington

      George C. Marshall Institute

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    How Much Surveillance Will Americans Tolerate?
    1. 1:18First African-American Woman Sworn In as Attorney General
    2. 8:08How Much Surveillance Will Americans Tolerate?You’re reading this
    3. 41:24Justice Anthony Kennedy and Gay Rights Decisions
    Back to To the Point