That democracy might live, we are asked to let the National Security Agency review when, where and whom we talk to. Sen. Dianne Feinstein thinks massive unwarranted record-keeping is a good idea, too, and has repeated her support in the wake of hearings about additional restrictions and oversight for the NSA and amendments to the Patriot Act.

Why not trust the government? Recently: the Iraq war, extraordinary rendition and Blackwater; in the past, Iran Contra, Vietnam and the CIA’s aiding of Nelson Mandela’s arrest have made for a checkered record. The Defense Department is often right as well, but what about the thousands of suspicions they are now allowed to act upon? How many mistakes will be made that never see the light of day?

The NSA has been building its domestic spying program in secret for a decade. It took citizen Edward Snowden to bring it to our attention. And now the posture of the NSA, and its backers, is to beg for forgiveness from the public, rather than having asked for permission — which they know they never would have received.

Should we allow the government to interfere with the assembly and distribution of ideas? As of now, we would be naïve not to be intimidated by the powers of observation that the NSA is using and wants to continue using.

Madam Senator, Gen. Keith Alexander and other “never too safe” advocates, we need to reverse the mistakes of our reaction to 9/11, not add to them. Permission to continue blanket or unwarranted spying is denied.

Scott Ragsdale

Davis

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