Comment Re:Who is "we"? (Score 1) 601
"We" is a tricky word, but ultimately I do find it ironic that it seems like more people are bent out of shape over the NSA/Snowden mess than were over the Patriot Act (although I have no numbers, I may be remembering history incorrectly). Many of "us" were against the explicit and well-publicized expanse of government surveillance powers and the erosion of privacy more than a decade ago that clearly precipitated the sorts of things the NSA has been doing since. Has been doing, quite possibly, LEGALLY, since, and because of things like the Patriot Act.
The fact that the NSA leaks brought more public discourse is probably a good thing, although I'm not sure I agree it was justified. But I think it was predictable given the post 9/11 tradeoffs ostensibly for safety over privacy, and I think "we" had a strong opportunity to tell the government not to go down this path long before Snowden's leaks came to light.