That would be a true pity, because NSA serves a great and legitimate purpose. They do a wonderful job for our nation. Sure, some of that work is not what some folks would like—frankly, there's one allegation which, while neither illegal nor unconstitutional, I don't like[1]—but that doesn't really matter: to the extent that the courts have deliberated, NSA has the national security of the United States of America at heart.
What really makes me sad, though, is not its putative recruitment challenge, but the unpatriotic attitude of so many folks. The NSA do good and important work; it is good and important to labour in the service of one's nation. You can't blame them for acting within the outer limits (but still within the limits) of the law, because that's how nation-states work. That's not even a bad thing: if you wish to reduce the power of the NSA, reduce the power of the State, period.
There's a very good chance that I'll be hell-banned for this post; if so, I've really enjoyed conversing with all of you, and hopefully I'll be able to converse with you again.
[1] I have neither seen nor heard any allegations of activity which is actually illegal or unconstitutional; everything I've seen has been stuff someone wishes were such. Well, I wish some things illegal were legal, and some things legal were illegal. You can wish in one hand and spit in the other, and see which fills up first.
What really makes me sad, though, is not its putative recruitment challenge, but the unpatriotic attitude of so many folks. The NSA do good and important work; it is good and important to labour in the service of one's nation. You can't blame them for acting within the outer limits (but still within the limits) of the law, because that's how nation-states work. That's not even a bad thing: if you wish to reduce the power of the NSA, reduce the power of the State, period.
There's a very good chance that I'll be hell-banned for this post; if so, I've really enjoyed conversing with all of you, and hopefully I'll be able to converse with you again.
[1] I have neither seen nor heard any allegations of activity which is actually illegal or unconstitutional; everything I've seen has been stuff someone wishes were such. Well, I wish some things illegal were legal, and some things legal were illegal. You can wish in one hand and spit in the other, and see which fills up first.