[xone]

However, even if we "merely" considered the massive NSA data collection of all electricity based communications--even merely because of that--there is no longer any privacy, or secrecy.

Privacy and secrecy are two different things. Collected unanalyzed data is just that. Data. 'Secrets' may be collected in this sweep, but until they are analyzed, decoded (if in code) and contexualized, they remain secret. As for the 60% unrevealed of Q, it is Nunya. Why we are a constitutional Republic, why we have people who 'do' gov't. Lots of Nunya out there that will never come to light, nor should it if the present guardians of our freedom think it best.

[JockoManning]

"never" come to light is a long time. Doubt that's all that necessary.

Our "leaders" decent and tons VERY indecent in a list of ways--have been super excessive about secrecy etc. for decades.

It is very overdue for the pendulum to swing the other direction for a good long time.

[reasonisfaith]

The problem comes down to human nature.

1. Give a man both power and the freedom from accountability provided by the cloak of secrecy and he will abuse it.

2. Also due to human nature, the system in which the man works will get worse with regard to the abuse of secrecy.

Here’s a very stark reality that must be pondered in this controversy over government secrecy: What might an American citizen reasonably expect from an FBI agent who knocks on his door? The answer is the citizen might reasonably expect to be murdered by the agent.

Broken system.