If you've criticized Bush and Clinton more than Obama

[JoePhilly]

48. Which explains why every time I try to engage one of the outraged

on the specific details of this NSA thing ... they scream "sycophant" and disappear.

Personally, I find much of the hair on fire stuff to be an attempt to avoid discussion "the issue".

You want to discuss the real issues ... I'm all in.

I'll start.

The meta data about phone calls does not belong to you or me. It belongs to the teleco and they collect that data to run their business. They use it for billing. They use it to plan upgrades to their infrastructure and to repair outages. They have a right to that data. Which is probably why they have at times CHARGED you and me if we want a detailed list of who we called and for how long. They are sharing their data with us.

The CONTENT of the call belongs to you and I. The government can not access that content without a warrant that is specific to you or I, respectively.

Now ... you can attempt to discuss this aspect of "the issue" or claim (as others are doing) that no matter what the government says, its a lie. Which kind of avoids discussion the issue.

So you know ... I might not be able to respond tonight (I have kids that I need to be put to bed), but if not, I will respond tomorrow.