The NSA doesn't do wiretaps either. Not you specifically, ocean...but I wish people would stop refering to this as wiretapping. It is as different from wiretapping as is a personal search.
They are simply filtering huge numbers of data packs, looking for a pattern.
One filter may be taking flight lessons. No big deal in and of itself, but if it is combined with frequent phone calls to the ME, and the word "Jihad" is mentioned frequently, perhaps you may be in the filter mechanism, and get a closer look. Probably still nothing to get alarmed about. But those phone calls to OBL are going to get you snared.
They don't give a rats ass if you are talking on your phone about running down the street to buy an ounce of weed, and couldn't use it in court anyway.
there is still a difference between obtaining a list of numbers called, and actually listening (whether it be via data filters or otherwise) to conversations in progress. I imagine this NSA case involves both practices - examining number calling patterns, and monitoring the content of conversations to/from certain numbers on the "hot list".
BTTT - what those who are screaming about civil rights violations are screaming forget!