Remember when you were in junior high and it felt like everyone was always looking at you...talking about you...maybe even (gasp!) looking into your private conversations? Yeah, we all remember being 14. Most of us grew out of it and those who didn't are either institutionalized or cowering at home, calling the local media outlets and telling them to stop having their news choppers follow them around (actually took a call like that when I was in the biz).
Michelle Malkin has linked to a stupendous piece by Heather MacDonald in the Weekly Standard that says everything I've been thinking about the NSA and the swirling criticisms that have been stirring up the ill-informed and fear panderers among us. Michelle Malkin has also offered great continuing coverage of this issue as well as all those taking advantage of those who confuse data mining with surveillance.
No one is listening to your conversations.
No one cares if you've called a cell phone in Iran because you are doing a news story (FYI: local newspaper columnist).
The fact that trillions of data points with no link to the person who created the data being churned through a huge computer means nothing to your privacy but a lot to your security. The computer seeks patterns in the data points from which further investigation can be conducted if necessary.
It's amazing to me that the same people mewling after 9/11 over the failure of the government to connect the dots are the same ones bitching and moaning now because the government is working hard to do just that. At least now they have a better idea of the enemy and what to look for in those data points.
So, if you're worried about the NSA's programs, but you have no connections to terror activities, I'll tell you what your mother should have long ago...GROW UP. No one, and I mean NO ONE, cares about you THAT much. For those of you who have legitimate fears because you are somehow connected to al Qaeda I can say, GOOD. Serves you right.
Amen, sista!
Posted by: Kelly | 14 May 2006 at 11:44 AM
Heather MacDonald's piece is as succinct and as straight forward a piece as I have seen on this non-issue issue. America -- no one is listening to your phone calls! jees.
(and happy mother's day!)
Posted by: Some Soldier's Mom | 14 May 2006 at 12:08 PM