The government puts "raw," or not yet processed, emails and phone calls it intercepts into repositories that intelligence analysts then query in search of messages relevant to what they are working on. They can search the repositories using keywords or the names of people related to their investigation, including the names of Americans.

When writing surveillance-based reports for broader dissemination within the intelligence community, analysts are supposed to "minimize" any privacy intrusion into Americans. Generally, this requires them to "mask" any names and private information about Americans. For example, a report citing Ivan's phone call with Joe might recount what Ivan said to "U.S. Person 1," rather than using Joe's name and remarks.

When might an American's name be unmasked in a report?

Minimization rules make an exception to the masking requirement if the American's words and identity are necessary to understand foreign intelligence. This exception would seem to cover keeping Mr. Flynn's identity and words unmasked in disseminated materials about his conversation with Mr. Kislyak.

If I had a 54 cents for each factual claim made by the Left I couldn't buy a cup of coffee at MacDonald's....even with the Senior Discount.

However, it is a proven fact that 17 days before he left office Obama greatly expanded the list of people who could see the intelligence info.

Now Nunez has seen the information, with US citizens names, that was distributed, and told the world.

That is what is known as a smoking gun.

I agree that it is rhetorical to ask, "What did the President know and when did he know it?"

His post-Watergate Traumatic Stress Disorder issue is kicking in again.

coming after the announcement that President Donald Trump's campaign chairman agreed to testify before the committee.

"Yesterday, the counsel for Paul Manafort contacted the committee yesterday to offer the committee the opportunity to interview his client,"

CNN

If you just do a casual read you get the impression he was subpoenaed.

Yet he wasn't.

What typical stuff.

Now, MT. If you will tell me what you want I will consider your request. If it is about why a closed hearing, I say that is standard when classified material may be discussed.

Of course Obama's troops probably have the meeting wire tapped and the info will be shared with all the media and fellow Democrats.

All I can say is never has that adage "truth is stranger than fiction" been more true than it has with this whole Trump Russia thing.

Frankly, I don't find it that far fetched. I believe Flynn has been under some form of surveillance for years, he has been throwing up red flags since Obama fired him.

The day the music died..

It's been 30+ years, fella. Time to move on.