Does the government really ease drop on your phone conversations like in the political cartoons ?

Question

http://www.stumbleupon.com/demo/#url=http://www.time.com/time/cartoonsoftheweek/0,29489,1711591_1531556,00.html

an example of one of the cartoons

Answer 1

but it is possible.

Answer 2

Not really; most people aren't interesting enough to be worth the effort required for surveillance.

Answer 3

The term you want is "eavesdrop."  The government is not listening to you place your pizza order unless you are being investigated for a serious crime, or you associate with suspected overseas terrorists.

Answer 4

yes, the government hire 23 million people just for that cause...

NO,  certain phone lines have computer monintors on them.  If certain key words (like BOMB) are heard several times by the computer..it sends a signal to a human to investiate furture.  At the most  1% of 1% of all phone lines are monitored.