The U.S. Government is Listening? Who isn't? The Paradox of Freedom

The Guardian's article revealing widespread recording of domestic and international Verizon communications by the US National Security Agency sets all sorts of alarms blaring. But in the Age of Information where every mouse click is not only recorded but monitored and sold for advertising and marketing purposes by Google et al, is it any surprise when the US government which has an obligation to provide security and battle terrorism would have no alternative to do same?

While one may presume that Alex Jones at InfoWars and others may see a different game afoot, where terrorism is a false front, an illusion like the Moon landing perhaps albeit a more deadly one intended to provide the government with a wedge to create a totalitarian state, sober, rational realistic citizens must regard that the government while an imperfect institution is obliged to make every effort to protect and to take the initiative wherever possible.

Failure to do so would be the true failure of government to provide the basic service necessary which is to protect and defend democracy and the freedoms we ultimately cherish, however paradoxical those efforts may be.

The Guardian article here

http://m.guardiannews.com/world/2013/jun/06/nsa-phone-records-verizon-court-order

--Anthony Napoli,Deep in the Heart of Brooklyn