Just as it was seeming that the NSA- Verison data mining might not be so bad after all, that it might not really violate the existing laws, now we hear about PRISM. This is not about simply storing data about phone contacts without content of the calls. PRISM is about surveying -- in real time -- internet searches, photos posted, etc. which does include content. The government can be "listening in" as you type or chat online. And it seems to involve more companies, more people, and is more like real "spying on us."
Now that could be vital in detecting terrorists plotting action against us; but where do we draw the line in putting everybody under that microscope?
All this is stirring up fears of Big Brother totalitarianism, which is probably exaggerated and inflamed by hysterical reporting and ratings-hungry news media.
Trying to combat this tide, the national security director has declassified part of the program that concerns the leaks, while also saying that they have operated it within the law and that the leak will undoubtedly hurt our security because it will alert terrorists to how they are being watched and allow them to change their ways of communicating.
Ultimately it focuses the basic questions: how much freedom do we want to give up in order to be safe? And how much do we trust our own government?
This is a bad time to ask that second question, when trust of our government is so low to start with.
Ralph
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