Mellow,

While I agree in principle with what you are saying it is a sad reality today that there will need to be certain measures taken that limit our freedoms. Today there are many things that are limited that we take for granted everyday. Speed limits, not smoking in public buildings, not being able to go topless at the beach are just some of the more ordinary ones. When it comes to safety we need to go through elaborate metal detectors with our shoes off to get onto a plane. Sure it is a hassle but it is a way to protect everyone. Even today my wife and son flew to Buffalo and they almost did not let her on with milk (our son is 2) even though formula was ok. the eventually let her through with it but he still had to take his shoes off.

I view the listening of phone conversations or the monitoring of back transactions to/from known terrorists part of that policy. This is something that will never affect me and is not something I am going to get upset over...atleast any more than having to take my shoes off at the airport to go through security.