[mitchellshow]

> Your assertion that the NSA can't collect data about American Citizens would be great if it were true.

NSA is not allowed to intercept communications of American citizens. I should have been more explicit about that. I am simply trying to add context to what I believe is an erroneous perception that the NSA is a building full of gunslinging unchecked hackers that gleefully eschew US law so that they can... do what exactly?

> You've got a pretty strong opinion of the agency ... I'm guessing that you work for the PsyOps division. Or perhaps you're just a youngin' who hasn't been around the block quite enough times.

LOL. What does it say that you'd assume anyone who has a non-negative opinion of NSA is either working for them, or young and misinformed? Sorry to disappoint, but I am neither. I simply respect the truth, and misinformation regarding the US intelligence community is a cancerous detriment to the long-term personal safety of Americans. This is why I asked for references for your claims. But if you take nothing else away from our exchange other than the understanding that NSA is military, I'm happy.

> I'm certainly not advocating anything beyond having exactly this kind of discussion.

Good. I'm glad. See how it only takes a simple challenging of one's opinions to go from "I hope the NSA gets shut down" to "let's have a discussion?"