As an American, my reaction to the news that my government is engaged in an all-encompassing effort to spy on my private communications and online activities can be summed up in one word: Demoralizing.
What is the point of being an American? What is it that we celebrate, honor and defend as U.S. citizens? What is so unique and deserving of our energy and dedication if our government can act with such impunity and disrespect for our private lives?
Ask the people of China, or Iran, or the citizens of the former Soviet bloc states what it's like to live in a country knowing the government is capable of discovering, recording and pursuing every aspect of your personal life.
The National Security Agency's monstrous capability to monitor, record and review every aspect of a citizen's electronic activity, every political and casual comment, interest, like, dislike, social and professional association, online search, web page visited, photograph shared, email and text messages exchanged, etc., is the foundation on which totalitarianism is firmly based. History has demonstrated that countless times.
Those politicians who defend these indiscriminate surveillance programs demonstrate contempt for us as a free people. Unless we hold them and the NSA accountable, we cannot claim to live in a free state.
Martin Manjak
Albany