CIA, CYA -- Why Washington Really Likes Spying

Why spy on ABC News' Brian Ross (left)?

Is Washington worried about national security leaks -- or do they want to kill stories about official corruption?

The investigative reporter reported online this week that the feds were tracking ABC's phone calls. From "The Blotter:"

"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."

So was this about national security, or was someone at CIA interested in CYA activity?

Dusty's Island Digs

At the same time Mr Ross and his producer were finding out about the phone tracking, ABC's sources were telling them about former CIA Executive Director Kyle "Dusty" Foggo's (left) trips to Hawaii -- part of the Duke Cunningham/Hookergate scandal.

Mr Foggo resigned just days before FBI agents swarmed into his California home with search warrants. The San Diego Union Tribune and LA Times report the search looked for links to his Hawaii trips.

Seems he took a lot of trips to Hawaii -- and spent his nights at this $7,000 a night beachfront mansion (right & below). ABC got their hands on the pictures. The Raw Story put them on the Internet.

Prosecutors want to know who paid for the trips.

CYA Director Foggo?

Washington's quick to tell us wiretaps and phone tracking databases are necessary to fight terrorists. But without oversight, they present a potential for abuse.

You see, spying on journalists may not always be in the interest of national security. Corrupt politicians and bureaucrats can use their access to the spying infrastructure to head off bad press about hookers, poker parties, and bribes from contractors.

Not saying that's happening. But view from here does make the timing questionable. (ABC/The Raw Story)