Federal judge agrees with Snowden

Federal District Court judge Richard Leon today ruled that the NSA data-collecting program probably violates the U. S. Constitution's 4th amendment, which protects citizens from "unreasonable" searches or seizures.

I have been divided in my thinking about this ever since the data collecting was first revealed.   On the one hand, people I trust (Obama and his appointees) insist that it is a great help in protecting us against terrorist plots.   On the other hand, it feels like an invasion of privacy.

But so, too, does the fact that my computer is a veritable gold mine of data collecting for commercial purposes -- buy something on line, and suddenly you are flooded with ads for similar products.

The way I understand the NSA program:   No one is listening in on your phone calls.  They are merely collecting "meta data," i.e. who calls whom and when.   This is all stored in vast data banks.   If there is later some indication that someone with terrorist connections is under investigation, they can then -- with a warrant, except in rare emergencie4s -- look at the data and investigate further.

Honestly, that does not seem so bad to me.   But I also realize the potential for misuse that could lead to serious consequences in our individual rights to privacy.

So . . . we'll see how this plays out.   Undoubtedly it will be appealed and eventually wind up at SCOTUS.

By the way, Judge Leon was appointed by President George W. Bush.

Ralph