The NSA’s role in protecting Americans
Last year, we all realized how closely our electronic communications and transactions are being watched by the government. In part, we can thank Edward Snowden—a former low-level computer specialist contractor with the CIA—for this insight. When Snowden presented authentic documentation—first to the Chinese and Russians and then to the rest of the world—he showed us that our National Security Agency (NSA) is eavesdropping, not only on non-American hostiles living abroad, but also on American citizens on American soil, our close allies and heads of state.
At first glance, it’s natural to blame the government for this violation of our civil rights. After all, America is the "land of the free"—free from government intrusion. "Not in our backyard," some privacy activists shout. But at second glance, the picture is not so black and white. For as much as we value our privacy, we value our personal security more.
Living in a state of constant fear is no fun. We expect our government to protect us against all foreign or domestic treats. Who can forget September 11, 2001? On that day, our false sense of security vanished. We realized that the rules of engagement had changed. Our open door policy allows many enemies into our borders. They live among us in plain sight, and with a mission to harm America. Fueled by misguided fanatical religious beliefs, they have little regard for the life of innocent civilians.
The same holds true for homegrown, misguided anti-government groups. Timothy McVeigh, an American domestic terrorist, caused the death of 168 innocent lives in Oklahoma City in 1995. McVeigh, a veteran of the Gulf War and awarded a Bronze Star Metal for his exemplary service, became radicalized and began to view innocent civilians as soft targets.
In addition to those who knowingly want to harm us, there are those with mental or emotional conditions that may drive them to commit public massacre. The bottom line is, if someone makes up his mind to bring harm to the masses, he can probably carry out his plan. Loopholes in the regulation of firearms sales and the sale of ingredients needed to make explosives allow for online or in person purchases.
The World Wide Web brings bad guys together in a way not previously possible. They can learn from one another and coordinate efforts for maximum effectiveness. The Internet also provides isolated and misguided lone wolves with sound support systems. Google offers answers and instructional videos for almost every question asked. We can't just close our eyes and wish for the bad guys to disappear. In reality, there are a lot of people devoting a lot of time and effort to bringing Americans harm. Some have political agendas; others are radicalized or brainwashed. Some are after notoriety and others are just plain nuts. While their motivations might be different, their bottom line is the same.
We are not as safe as we thought we were on September 10, 2001. Like it or not, when you are at the top of the food chain, you have a target on your back. The NSA is assigned the difficult task of protecting us from foreign and domestic threats in a world that is becoming more and more digital. I doubt if anyone really thinks that the NSA snoops on us like the National Enquirer. This is not China or North Korea. Most of our digital transmissions are interesting only to the intended receivers and us. And even if someone did eavesdrop on my digital communications, I have nothing to hide, therefore nothing to worry about. Our government cannot sit on the sidelines and play by pre-internet-era rules. The NSA has no other choice but to fight electronic fire with electronics.
