I will disagree with you. The NSA is just an easy target for people that fear we are slipping into a Big Brother society. Because of the secrecy that surrounds the agency, people tend to question the legitimacy and necessity of what they do. The NSA is essential to our country's well-being and overall national security. The role they play, albeit not a popular one, is critical to this country's survival. You brought up the way they go about getting their information. They are not the only institutions that use data collection and mining. Insurance companies, your employer, credit card companies, even grocery stores do it. Is what they do intrusive? I would say yes. But I would also argue that it saves countless lives. You have the right to individual freedom, but someone has to protect that right. Terrorism is evolving at an alarming rate. The government has to play a constant game of catch up. "Homegrown" terrorism is a very real threat the U.S. is facing and I feel the government and in particular the NSA not only has the right, but the duty to protect it's citizens. So if "snooping" on our e-mail is a way they have found to fight terrorism then I say snoop away. I have nothing to hide.
