Former spy chief overheard giving off-the-record interview from Acela train

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/24/former-spy-chief-overheard-acela-twitter

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Who will watch the watchers? Some guy on a train with a Twitter account, it turns out.

The former CIA and NSA director Michael Hayden ended up on the wrong end of a surveillance stakeout on Thursday afternoon when, while riding a commuter train, he was overheard "disparaging" the Obama administration. The over-hearer was a private citizen – Tom Matzzie, an entrepreneur who previously worked for MoveOn.org and John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign.

Hayden was aboard an Acela train outside Philadelphia and talking by phone with a reporter when Matzzie, who was sitting nearby, recognized him. Matzzie heard Hayden insist to the reporter that he be quoted anonymously, as a "former senior administration official".

Then Matzzie began live-tweeting as the nation's former top spy badmouthed the Obama administration, apparently in connection with the revelation hours earlier that NSA had monitored the phone calls of at least 35 world leaders' telephone lines.

Former NSA spy boss Michael Hayden on Acela behind me blabbing "on background as a former senior admin official" Sounds defensive.

Hayden was bragging about rendition and black sites a minute ago.

On Acela: former NSA spy boss Michael Hayden just ended last of handful of interviews bashing admin.

On Acela listening to former NSA spy boss Michael Hayden give "off record" interviews. I feel like I'm in the NSA. Except I'm in public.

On Acela: Hayden's comments to press were clearly about NSA spying on foreign allies. #haydenacela

The episode came to a remarkable conclusion shortly after Matzzie noticed Hayden receiving a new phone call, and joked on Twitter that Hayden's office must have heard what was happening and called to warn the former spy chief.

On Acela: phone ringing. I think the jig is up. Maybe somebody is telling him I'm here. Do I hide?

Matzzie’s hunch was right — but as it turned out, he didn’t need to hide.

Me and Steeler fan Michael Hayden. pic.twitter.com/vOmr6RIMPe

On the pic. His office called him and then he graciously offered me an interview. We talked around the 4th amendment and foreign spying.

I just had a very nice conversation with Michael Hayden. He was a gentleman and we disagree.

At the end of the episode, though, Matzzie admitted he didn't feel entirely comfortable about what had happened.

I have to say. I'm actually a little afraid. The intelligence world is kind of dark and scary.

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