With the NSA, FBI, CIA, and who knows whatever other acronymic agencymay be snooping around out there, we can at least find some solace in the fact that no matter how much spying the U.S. government does on its citizens, it’s a heck of a lot better than Russia. Yes, Russia has us, the U. S., beat. Let’s hope Russia always stays ahead of  us in the spying-on-law-abiding-citizens game.

I offer this article as proof positive that Russia is easily out NSA-ing the NSA.

In Russia, Bathroom Mirror Watches You!

In Russia, spying on visitors is so pervasive, authorities don’t even seem realize that watching someone shower is cause for alarm.

During a press meeting on the Winter Olympics, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak claimed that Western journalists were deliberately sabotaging the hotel facilities. As evidence, he said authorities had seen guests leave the water running in the shower.

Yes, you read that right. Here’s the full report from the Wall Street Journal:

“Dmitry Kozak, the deputy prime minister responsible for the Olympic preparations, seemed to reflect the view held among many Russian officials that some Western visitors are deliberately trying to sabotage Sochi’s big debut out of bias against Russia. ‘We have surveillance video from the hotels that shows people turn on the shower, direct the nozzle at the wall and then leave the room for the whole day,’ he said.”

You can read the entire article here. And if you’re going to the Winter Olympics, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair — and a bathing suit in the shower.