[otakucode]

If there was a terror group operating in the US doing all you claim, access to their phones would provide us with no protection whatsoever. We have absolute, concrete proof of this thanks to the 9/11 Commission Report. The NSA knew where Mohammed Atta was. They knew exactly what he was planning. And they kept it secret. They are so afraid of revealing their methods and capabilities that there is literally NO tragedy so great that they would be willing to speak up to prevent it. When the CIA and FBI both asked the NSA for their information about Atta, the NSA refused to supply it or even warn them.

I think people have a very good handle on how brutal the world can be. In fact, they believe it to be quite a bit more brtual than it actually is. There have been ONE really major terrorist attack in the US in the past century. And having access to every single one of their conversations did not do anything to prevent it. Having separate entrances for pilots and passengers on planes would have prevented it completely, though.