Well technically, SSL support provides connection to you and your newsprovider, your ISP knows data is going out, but they don't know, I mean if they really wanted to know they could use some kind of software to "break" the connection or "tunnel" but unlikely.
yeah, so it's always a good idea to use SSL, if you live in the US or UK it's probably a really really good idea, but if your in countries that have non strict laws, it's probably not a big deal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_Layer_Security
I read an article, I seriously think that their are people watching, not that much, but there is some risk..
http://filesharingtalk.com/vb3/f-newsgroups-79/t-ssl-question-343650