N.S.A. Examines Social Networks of U.S. Citizens (Decision Made In Secret 2010)

[The Green Manalishi]

15. Well, yes

but some of us have doubts as to whom the real terrorists are. The NSA and it's like have far more power and are much more likely to be of danger to me than some random bomber or sniper.

The NSA and all other agencies should have to fully follow the constitution and established procedures and get a warrant before collecting anything more then the most cursory and public information on someone. Cops have been doing it for generations without too much trauma - go in front of a judge and explain what specific information your are after, why you think it valuable, explain how you are going to ascertain it, agree to a time limit and other reasonable limitations so as not to have a 'fishing expedition'.

The whole bloody idea is that the government, any government anywhere, should not be able to just suck up huge amounts of data but must JUSTIFY and limit the invasion of privacy of even the most heinous individual or group. That is not failing to deal with terrorism or organized crime, that is balancing the danger of a secret police force against the danger of terrorists and gangs.