[dirtboy]

Just exactly how do you prevent crime before it happens, without "data mining" ??

I dunno - by going through the data the government already has, like they did prior to 9-11, and figure out ways to better use that? The solution to being unable to process the data you already have is not to get petabytes of more data.

I am no opposed to the government obtaining data. But there needs to be some kind of cause involved. And the Verizon data fails that test.

[Beagle8U]

"I am no opposed to the government obtaining data. But there needs to be some kind of cause involved."

I think the "cause" is the WOT, and connecting the dots from suspected terrorist is why they need data in advance.

[oceanview]

what data? what data would you allow the government to access, without court orders each and every time?

flight school records? is my attendance at a fight school "private"? why not, what business does the government have checking up on where I go to school. financial records? what business does the government have knowing that I opened a bank account someplace. and on and on, the same argument can be made everytime. and you seem willing to place 100% faith in the court system on these matters.