The allegations that the US might be monitoring all cell phone calls in The Bahamas, in other words spying on us, made me go back and read newspaper articles over the last couple weeks relating to alleged spying by the Bahamian government on us.

May 7, 2014. Nassau Guardian: FNM says Government might be spying.  "Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner said last night the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) created by the Christie administration “appears to have no legal standing but seems to be engaged in domestic spying on the Bahamian people”.

May 8, 2014. Nassau Guardian: Nottage says spying claims 'irresponsible'.
"National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage yesterday dismissed “irresponsible” claims by Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner that the government is using the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to “engage in domestic spying on the Bahamian people”.

May 12, 2014. Nassau Guardian: Nottage: NIA legislation coming before the end of the year.
"In light of suggestions by the opposition that the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) may be operating outside the law, Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage said legislation for the NIA would be tabled and passed in the House of Assembly before the end of year.

"Nottage said the NIA is simply another tool in the fight against crime.

“They (the NIA) are gathering intelligence to help us in the fight against crime, plain and simple,” he said.

“There’s nothing unusual about it. Intelligence organizations exist in many countries. The one in The Bahamas, the National Intelligence Agency, it’s there to supplement the gathering of information against criminals.”

Then along comes this week where spying allegations are flying, not only here, but abroad.

May 20, 2014. Quartz Daily Briefing: "The US and China spar over cyber-espionage. China summoned the US ambassador for a scolding and refuted US allegations that Chinese military officials stole Western trade secrets. The dispute hinges on whether some types of cyberspying are worse than others—a touchy debate for Washington in the wake of Edward Snowden’s revelations." 

The allegations the US might be spying on cell phone calls hits closer to home and our Foreign Minister puts on his most indignant, or is that his most concerned face, for the press suggesting he has "sought an explanation" from the US about it.

May 20, 2014. Nassau Guardian: Govt wants answers on U.S. spy claims.
"The Bahamas government has sought an explanation from the United States government over claims the National Security Agency (NSA) is collecting, recording and archiving every cell phone conversation in The Bahamas, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell said."

I wonder what the official response from The Bahamas will be if the US offers the explanation that listening to our calls is "simply another tool in the fight against crime"?

Did we buy our alleged spying equipment and get training from the same people alleged to be spying on us?

Or was it from the Chinese that allegedly spy on everyone too?

Of course the moral argument is not one either side can use, so I guess it will go the way of the wikileak revelations. And simply to suggest the NIA is legal does not necesaarily make it right either.

Should be fun watching it all play out. But will spying stop?

Doubtful.