This will be my last post on this matter unless someone else presents a different viewpoint.  

Where I feel Quest and I disagree most is in whom do you trust most and whom do you trust least.  I have more faith the NSA doing what it does remaining in a shadow realm and alerting the country when a real or potential threat is detected.  Again, I direct you to my previous post concerning international espionage.  It is done universally.  It breaks the rules.  It is treated with outrage when it is uncovered--- but it doesn't stop.  All parties involved continue doing what they feel necessary to protected their sovereinty.  Quest and others are outraged to find they are included in a sphere of observation.  I am not.  I truly believe it is for the good of the nation.   

 I have little faith in relying on elected government nowadays.  I feel it is more likely elected politicians use data for their own gain than what a general may leverage for personal purposes.  There can be rotten apples in both bushels but I think when it comes to decisions balancing personal gain over what is best for this country's safety, I choose the NSA.  Let the sleeping dog lie with its one eye cracked open and one ear turned up, it has both our backs.