Quest,

Believe it or not, I am in near total agreement with you on your stand and points made. What I wish to point out is the wheel began to squeak when congress and executive powers began to meddle in and request data collected.  That is the main point I was trying to make when I started this thread.  I was speaking of NSA and not the requests, legislation, executive orders, public disclosures, leaks, etc...  

It was prudent for the US government to question why and how so many signs of ill will and terrorism where ignored or fell through the cracks prior to 9/11.  There was too much duplication of government agencies' efforts and too little sharing of data and analysis (ie  NSA, FBI, CIA, FAA, USCIS, etc...)  That needed correcting.  But like everything political the "solutions" went too far and too long and became a loss of significant freedom and Constitutional protection for the people.  Then the politicos renewed and expanded the Patriot Act instead of approaching it with a mindset of trimming it provisions and restoring some privacy and freedoms once the act had been in place for a few years.  

Then it became apparent that this information could be used for politcal manuevering and power also.  The carrot was now dangling in the faces of those who love power and priviledge of elected hierachy.  Graff and greed is a powerful pull.  To me, it seems the current elected officials think since they appointed the Director of National Security Agency it is now their pawn for personal and professional gain.  It was not always this way. That does not change my stance on the NSA. What has changed is the current agenda to exchange this country's banner of personal freedom for one of socialism at the expense of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights.

So ultimately I agree with what I think I read in your reply.

I stand behind my views for what and why the NSA was originally formed.  Sending you an IM for some more insight on my reasons.