The questions that should be asked, and answered, are:
1. Who requested the emails from NSA?
2. By what authority were they requested?
3. When was the request made?
NSA collects far more data than will ever be looked at. It is important to understand the Information Pyramid here.
The Information Pyramid has four steps.
1. Data forms the base. Data, in and of itself, has no value. Given context, Data becomes Information, the next step up the pyramid.
2. Information is useful, structured, and organized. Given meaning, Information becomes Knowledge, the third step.
3. Knowledge is contextual, synthesized learning. Given insight, Knowledge becomes Intelligence, the capstone of the Pyramid.
4. Intelligence is integrated and actionable. It is the one priceless commodity to any commander.
This kerfuffle is all about a fishing expedition around the base of the pyramid. If the request was made improperly it amounts to Deprivation of Rights under Color of Law, a SERIOUS federal felony.
Again, the issue here is and should not be about NSA. It is about who made the request to NSA and the predication behind the request.
WWG1WGA
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)