"collecting data on innocent Americans either incidentally or deliberately, and data on foreign citizens indiscriminately. It doesn't make us any safer, and it is liable to be abused. "
If you are collecting data in order to analyze and identify threats to national security, how would you possibly exclude "the innocent" beforehand? These people are not innocent as much as they aren't guilty - however blinding oneself to observation seems like a knee-jerk alternative.
If these practices are "liable to be abused" isn't the solution proper oversight or accountability and not to shut down the entire program?
If you are collecting data in order to analyze and identify threats to national security, how would you possibly exclude "the innocent" beforehand? These people are not innocent as much as they aren't guilty - however blinding oneself to observation seems like a knee-jerk alternative.
If these practices are "liable to be abused" isn't the solution proper oversight or accountability and not to shut down the entire program?