Under what circumstances is spying acceptable or essential and why?

[JoePhilly]

25. The term "spying" is too broad.

When this NSA story broke, the term "wiretapping" was being used, even though that was not happening. As the details started to be discussed, we learned that meta data is what was being collected.

In response, the media, rather than doing its job and focusing on gathering the details, decided to move to the more general and ambiguous term, "spying".

By doing so, they allow pundits to generalize, and they are allowing one's imagination to determine what's actually being done, rather than reporting what's actually being done. And by broadening the discussion, the media can discuss "spying" in general, avoid the details, and then maintain the outrage. Details are boring.

That might be why few are taking you up on your question.

To discuss what's acceptable requires a discussion of the details. You have to discuss the fact that the telcos own the meta data, its not yours or mine, its actually theirs. But that detail is inconvenient if you want to shout "police state".

Similarly, you have to discuss warrants and how and when they are obtained. You have to discuss the history of the FISA court starting in 1978. You have to talk about the fact that there were only about 1800 FISA warrants issued last year. 1800 is a pretty low number of requests if you do in fact have a rubber stamp court. You'd use your rubber stamp more frequently in a country this size. But that detail discussion doesn't help create/maintain outrage.

As you note, even the general term spying could be divided into foreign and domestic. There's another detail that no one wants to talk about.

People don't realize that the CONTENT of their email is recorded and stored. Its would be the same as having your the CONTENT of a phone call recorded and stored. Are these the same in the eyes of the law? Should they be? Another detail discussion to be avoided.

Details are bad for propaganda. Propaganda needs to have just enough hooks such that a person can internalize those, and then use their imagination beyond.

Keep the focus on generalizations, avoid specifics.

When is "spying" acceptable ... NEVER!!!!!!