I believe the NSA data collection is unconstitutional based on usurpation of the 4th Amendment.   So given that I’m torn on this guy’s action:  How do you lawfully report on the government engaging in unconstitutional secret conduct – without yourself violating the law, when revealing the government’s unlawful conduct is, itself, illegal?

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.  

–Fourth Amendment To U.S. Constitution

The NSA defenders are essentially saying the “collection” of this data is only used to identify issues “after” an engagement is identified.   Meaning if they find a terrorist’s email address, or cell phone, they can access this NSA database of global phone calls, and global information collected to reference and trail the information historically. 

Well, accepting that argument then what’s the difference between forcing all citizens to give their fingerprints, dna samples, and biometric data, so that a similar process could be used with those methods?

For those of you that know me without my super hero cape, you can probably understand why I’ll be refraining from blog posts for awhile. My world has opened and closed all at once. Leaving me lost at sea without a compass.

Surely there will be villainous pirates, distracting mermaids, and tides of change in this new open water chapter of my journey. But at the moment all I can feel is alone. And for the first time in my life I feel strong enough to be on my own. Though I never imagined my hand would be so forced.

As I type this on my tear-streaked keyboard I’m reflecting on all the faces that have graced my path. The ones I laughed with. The ones I’ve held. The one I’ve grown to love the most. And the ones I never got to bid adieu. But sometimes life doesn’t afford proper goodbyes. In those unsure endings I find my strength, my true friends, and my heart’s song. A song that I thought had all but died away, when really it was softly singing all along.

I don’t know what will happen from here. I don’t know how to feel normal. But I do know that I am loved, by myself and those around me. And no matter where my compass-less vessel will take me, that love will keep me buoyant….

– via Lindsey Mills  Girlfriend to Edward Snowden