Give NSA a Break

The controversy surrounding the National Security Agency (NSA) is completely unfounded in light of the facts. The NSA is not, I say again, NOT violating any laws in doing what they are doing. I speak from a certain amount of knowledge and experience when I say that Executive Order 12333 (Intelligence Oversight) and the United States Signals Intelligence Directives (USSIDs govern Signals Intelligence activities) are scrupulously followed by the DoD Intelligence Community. The NSA isn't some scary cloak-and-dagger agency with "spies" or gun carrying "agents" running around; it is a huge bureaucracy filled with guys and gals wearing pocket protectors who sit in a basement all day. Move along people, there is no truth to the Hollywood myth that NSA has agents running around looking for aliens from outer space, or who are secretly conducting experiments on Americans.

The Powerline Blog has a long, detailed post entitled On the Legality of the NSA Electronic Intercept Program that is a must read for all you doubters out there. If you read the post and still believe it is illegal, you need to have your head examined. Terrorists are cyber-savvy and use communications technology to plan and execute terrorist attacks. The government would be irresponsible if they didn't use all the investigative tools in their inventory to prevent another 9/11 style attack on the homeland. Those who seek to destroy us are in the USA. They are communicating and planning; should they do that in an unobstructed way? The obvious answer is "NO", and I assure you all the investigative techniques being utilized do not infringe on the constitutional rights of any law abiding citizen of the US. Once again, read Powerline's post.

This whole story (with all the branches and sequels) is yet another attempt to scare the uninformed citizenry of our Nation into believing President Bush, and the Republicans by default, are trying to squash your rights. This story is consistent with the Left's theme that we are all Nazis who don't care about anything, and it needs to stop.