[gov_bean_ counter]

Most people don't know the difference between flat files, relational databases and cube storage. They don't realize that, on the home database, a lot of personally identifiable information is embedded in the cell phone number (which is also the account number). They don't realize that a data manager with the appropriate authorities can drill down to that data. Most people defending the program reference court rulings issued during a more primitive time where a line of data was all that there was. I am not convinced that from numbers, to numbers, time and duration are the real metadata being collected. I am not convinced that PII isn't being mined. That PII when combined with other readily accessible information can create a personal profile on a person that the government has no right to.

For me the weekend raised more questions than it provided answers

[NVDave]

Ditto.

The problem with many “conservatives” arguing that the vast data-mining of call records is legal is that they don’t know jack about what is now in those records as a consequence of most people now owning wireless phones.

For most of the “conservatives” arguing in favor of the ability of the government to do this, I notice that they have a liberal arts background. In other words, they don’t know shit about technology, much less computer networks or wireless networks.

It’s quickly getting to a point when I’m discussing this issue with some conservatives that I want to say: “Look, I hate to sound uncharitable, but the truth is, you’re simply too stupid to have ANY opinion on this issue. I might as well as your pet Golden Retriever as ask you for an opinion - because you both are just about as well informed.”