Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) chief John Forster waits to testify before the Senate national security and defence committee in Ottawa February 3, 2014. REUTERS/Chris Wattie (CANADA - Tags: POLITICS)CHRIS WATTIE/Reuters
News Item. Aug. 4, 2014: Canada's secretive electronic intelligence agency refuses to reveal how long it holds on to Canadians' private communications. Subsequent to an access-to-information request from The Globe and Mail, the Communications Security Establishment (CSEC) releases a document explaining its data "retention schedules." The document is heavily redacted. All relevant information is blacked out.
News item: Aug 5, 2014: An anonymous tipster releases a collection of passionate love letters, written by serving CSEC officers to their sweethearts. We reproduce one of these in its original, unredacted state.
Dear xxxxxxxx,
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways:
1. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
2. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
3. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
And who can forget (after the xxxxx xxxxxx in xxxxx xx xxxxx parked minivan)?
4. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I cherish these memories as I cherish you.
If I can dispense with poetry for a moment, I'd like to talk about xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx. xxxxx xxxxx ironic xxxxxx xxxxx and that's why xxxxx xxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx. But xxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx xx xxx xxxxx. I mean, can't we just say we're sorry and move on?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx and then on the way home I'll pick up a pizza topped with xxxxxxx.
I need to be honest with you about xxxxxx. I've always believed in being completely open and transparent about my xxxxx for you, and that why I xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
I've made mistakes. I xxxxx that. What xxxx wouldn't? But the more time I spend with you, the more I am reminded of that old saying: xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx.
Ain't that the truth.
I xxxxx you, and have always xxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx. Even if I sometimes xxxxxx xxxx xxxxx.
Yours xxxx xxxx xxxx,
xxxxxx
P.S. xxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xx xxxx! :)