Point: "They are indeed a needed service to the country and generally I applaud the work they do. It is their constitutionally questionable methods of harvesting the vast amounts of personal information of innocent Americans that is in contention and nothing else."

Counter point: So if I install surveilance cameras in my shop to catch shoplifters am I violating the Constitutional rights of lawful patrons?  Why aren't we demanding the removal of all cameras everywhere?  

Point: ""Gen. Alexander's testimony yesterday suggested that the NSA's bulk phone records collection program helped thwart 'dozens' of terrorist attacks, but all of the plots that he mentioned appear to have been identified using other collection methods," the two senators said."

Counter point: Am I to trust the opinions of two senators over the word of a General whose job is to protect American citizens especially when the the two senators continuously vote along party lines supporting an administration that is systematically taking away individual freedoms by executive orders. 

Point: "Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) said he hoped to sue the government over the collection of data, calling it “an outrageous abuse of power and a violation of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution.”

I like Rand Paul and think this country needs more like him. I would like to hear his solution to tracking down and identifying terrorist without monitoring. 

Rather than going on, I think you and I are both protective of our freedoms to speak and live our lives within current law.  I love being able to discuss this in an open forum. I support the Constitution and all the amendments, including the 2nd amendment which is being attacked vigorously by a lot of the same voices that are finger pointing at the NSA. 

I will close again with this statement. "What I have yet to see is anyone come forward with a better way to protect our country, families and children.  If you have a viable alternative, submit it now." 

I find it somewhat puzzling that no one else has weighed in on this thread.